Vandas outdoors in So California
 

I had long been hesitant about trying to grow vandas here in southern california about 2 miles from the ocean. For some reason they always intimidated me and seemed like difficult plants to keep happy. I particular loved the violet/blue vandas with coerulea in them.

Well, finally caved in and bought a V. Manuvadee I saw at a garden show in April 2008. This was followed by a V. Motes Indigo and a V. Mikasa from an ebay seller in Canada in July, followed by a V. Tokyo blue from an ebay seller in Hawaii, followed over the next few months by three more, some with more coerulea in the mix, some with less. I also discovered I could keep the coerulea varieties outdoors most of the time except for one or two colder months.

Well, just thought I'd share a few of my summer successes with the outdoor vandas this year:

V. Tokyo blue, bought last december, was supposed to be 1-2 years from blooming but I guess it was anxious:

http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q...IMG_0581-1.jpg
http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q...9/IMG_0588.jpg

As Tokyo Blue faded, the V. Manuvadee started to bloom:

http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q...Manuvadee2.jpg
http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q...9/IMG_0761.jpg
http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q...9/IMG_0716.jpg

And soon the V. Motes Indigo will be blooming, picture of plant just starting to set off an inflo, and a picture of last summer's flowers:

http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q...ndasinPalm.jpg
http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q...rchids/091.jpg
http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q...rchids/083.jpg

The V. Manuvadee last year, much darker color, not sure what happened this year

http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q...ids/Vanda1.jpg

Very pretty, you should pat yourself on the back. Good growing. so I expect you'll be buying more now..after your recent success :)

:wtg:
awesome! I too love the blue vandas! Don't think I can make a go if it in the bay area tho :(
but thats ok - I'll just admire pix of yours!

Congratulations! Your Vandas look great! If you are interested in trying some other Vanda species you should take a look at this list of 68 Monopodial Orchids Outdoors in Southern California.

Wow, you really went for it once you started didn't you!

They look fantastic! Great growing :clap:

Woow, very well grown! How do you care for them during the colder months?
Nicole

I have 2 V. coerulea growing outdoor in the Monterey Bay area, this will be there first winter here but so far the average day temps of 65-70 with night averages 50-55 they're growing well.

If I lived in an area where I had growing King Palms (That's what I think at least is the palm in the immediate background of your Manuvadee photos), I wouldn't even fret at leaving them outdoor year round. Thanks for sharing the photos!

Beautiful vandas, nice healthy looking roots, and welcome to the board glad you got pics on your first post :) awesome!!!

Thanks for all the friendly input guys.

Regarding the comment re: palms, someone knows theirs well, yes, it's a king palm. And as you suggest, I think I'll keep the coerulea hybrid vandas outdoors, we'll see how it goes. Strange that such a beautiful tropical flower could be grown outside where a rare frost hits once or twice a year. But we'll see.

New Inflo on the next vanda to bloom
 

oh, here's the next to bloom, a Vanda Motes Indigo, making good progress as of Sept 18:


http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q...9/IMG_0814.jpg