What is blooming size for vandas?

[Miri the Wildmage]

I received a (free!) Vanda NOID keiki from a guy working at a "hydroponicum" (not all plants were grown hydroponically, this one was I think hanging, no basket or pot) on Easter Sunday of 2013, along with 6 other orchids after impressing him with my knowledge of the Latin names and basic care of each genus.

Since I got it it has grown I think 4 or 5 new leaves, each bigger and a more healthy green than the last as I learned more about the right care. The part which is clothed with leaves is now about 5.5 inches tall (hasn't lost any leaves since I got it) and the whole plant is about 9.5 inches tall including woody stem. It came with just two roots when I got it, and although I haven't taken it out of its medium since then to check I can see at least one healthy green/grey root through the bottom of its basket.

I have it in fir bark, coconut fibre and sponge pieces in a plastic basket with the odd bit of live moss growing on it (not enough to block air to the roots) on a south-facing windowsill, sitting on a tray of pebbles and water (water level below base of pot to prevent rotting). I water every day, when the leaflets on the moss close to indicate dryness; and I fertilise it about once a week with general-purpose granule orchid fert from Chempak, but I'm about to switch to the Orchid Focus bloom and grow brands because I've heard a lot of good things about them.

I was just wondering when I can expect it to flower? I know vandas can be temperamental, but I was hoping it will be sometime soon? I've read stories about them taking 5-9 years to flower.

Sorry about the long post. Picture to follow when I have replaced the batteries on my camera!

[Bud]

hybrids maybe 4 years....species 5 years....its not how tall your plant is or how many leaves or how wide the leaf span is ....if it reaches adulthood it will spike.

[Miri the Wildmage]

Ok thank you!

[Gage]

If you keep it growing and happy, I would think it will bloom once it has 3-4 full size leaves. But some vandas will bloom on quite small plants. Generally, the miniatures bloom sooner than the larger species and hybrids, i.e. Vanda (Ascocentrum) garayi or miniatum versus Euanthe (Vanda) sanderiana. Vanda garayi will bloom on a very small seedling in a couple of years out of flask, but sanderiana and its hybrids can be more like 4-7 years till first blooming.

[Miri the Wildmage]

Thank you, unfortunately I have no idea what kind of Vanda it is, except that it is strap-leaved, the guy who gave me it didn't say; but hopefully it will have bloomed by the time I get to university.