Need help with many questions on new Vanda given to me!!!

[saraisSET]

I've been given what I believe to be a Terete Vanda since it has pencil like leaves. I was given the instructions to "leave it out in the sun and let it get rain water". I REALLY have no clue what this orchid needs. It was given to me in a large pot with regular potting soil and mulch on top. I'm scared to death it's going to get overwatered. It also has some dark brown sort of scaly areas on the leaves and stalk. I don't want to change its conditions until I'm sure I know what I'm doing. I hope you can help me! Here's a picture!



Thanks!

Sara

[Zoi2]

Hello and welcome Sara.
Your picture did not come through, can you try to repost?
Joann

[saraisSET]

http://www.fototime.com/users/Setudo...ail.com/Flower Power



Sorry about that!

[Zoi2]

I don't grow any of the terete vanda's but someone with experience will chime in soon.
Joann

[Bud]

I have seen them grown in full sun in the ground in Escondido near San Diego...it can grow really tall as your roof...in about a meter tall it will bloom... if you dont want it really tall; you may cut the top and plant it beside the main plant and basal keikis will also appear so you may have a clumping bush...
This is the nat'l flower of Singapore, where I'm told it is grown in hedges and pruned with a weed-whacker.
In 6 to 7 years you will have a big fat snarled mass of canes that will produce a magnificent spray of blooms...
dont be alarmed about the poting media...but make sure the roots breathe and water freely runs through it...
this feeds and drinks a lot so discover a fertilizer/watering regimen for your grow zone taking into consideration the temperature and humidity in the area it will stay
do not let it feel the cold...bring it indoors a month before frost comes

[Bud]

You have scale infestation.
Walmart has the insect spray that is used for roses(that will do) you can spray that plant till soaking wet....then let it dry. Get a cottonball dipped in classic listerine mouthwash(brown); as you are wiping the scaly areas scrape the insects with a blunt plastic knife or a used soft toothbrush until all the insects are gone.
repeat this the following week
scales can come back as I have read the other members complain about it.
repot...you dont want eggs still hiding in your media

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Do you know the name of your terete Vanda (aka Papilionanthe)?

Papilionanthe teres grows as an epiphyte/terrestrial. It is predominantly an epiphyte of large trees in tropical Asia.

Papilionanthe hookeriana is an epiphyte of 6 ft tall swamp plants. They are often seen riding piggy back on these plants.

Most other Papilionanthe species are epiphytes of large trees.

I know of only one super popular hybrid - Vanda (Papilionanthe) Miss Joaquim, which is a hybrid of Papilionanthe teres and Papilionanthe hookeriana.

Rather than growing on a thin trunked and branched tree, It'd probably work out better if it was stuck onto a log.

My Papilionanthe pedunculata is stuck on a log, btw.

[tucker85]

Give it plenty of light. It can take full sun. All the medium does is to hold it upright. Some people use standard cypress garden mulch or bark. Water the aerial roots often.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Yes, water often. It will grow faster if you do.

I've never really had to grow mine in full sun for good growth. In fact, I'd be careful about the amount of sun exposure it gets depending on what part of the country you're in. It does need a lot of light, though. If it gets enough pigmentation from anthocyanins, you're good.

[vanda man]

i suggest you take out all the potting mix and grow it on wood planks or just charcoal.Mine are doing quite well in charcoal or coconut chunks with daily watering.