So I was researching you tube about my Vanda and I came across this video that identifies it as Vanda Pachara delight. I didn't see this in the database and would like to add it but I don't know how. Any suggestions?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=...




The differences in the color is the lighting exposure but it looks blue in person.

Seems easy to propagate but I don't have any aerial roots yet.
http://www.orchidsamore.com/tu...

Gigi, I have only added species orchids to the data base as the process for hybrids seems convoluted. Perhaps others can help. I know we have been down this road before.

Jim

This mornings picture. This is the closest to the blue that I could capture the color, it is bluer in person and flower size is over 5 inches; no fragrance.

Thanks Jim,m. I don't know the rules so I don't want adding anything, just happy with anything no ID.

I love that Vanda, Gigi. You are growing it in a clear, drinking glass like vase, as shown in the picture? If so, do you just water, wait a couple of minutes, and then dump the water out? I guess by the nature of growing it in a "closed" container, the humidity stays high, even after dumping the water out. How often do you water this Vanda? Do you reduce watering frequency in the fall/winter months?

I apologize for all the questions. I have never even considered growing an orchid in this way, but if it works for your Vanda, I don't see why it would not work for my Vanda and perhaps many other plants. The only downside (for me, with so many orchids) would be having to dump the water out.

Hi Ken, I love this one too. I've always wanted a blue orchid and this hybrid, I guess is the closest blue orchid there is out there. This definitely deserves a blue ribbon :).

The instruction I got is the roots need to be soaked at least 30 minutes in water twice a week, early in the morning, then dump all the water out. I can't soak this during weekday so I just spray the roots lightly to keep it well hydrated. This gal has been with me for 2 weekends now, so this is the 2nd week only that I 've soaked this.

The roots turns green when they are healthy so, see pic below, they look really healthy to me.



This is supposed to be suitable for being grown indoors so I only plan to keep this in this hurricane base until there is still bloom. From what I read, air circulation in roots is very important to the Vanda, so having it in this vase worries me a bit. After the blooms are gone, I plan to get this baby out of the vase and hang it on my indoor corn plant.

Good question about winter months, I might have to research that a little bit more but I might be reducing the watering on winter months. This is supposed to bloom every 3 to 5 months, let us see. I will be happy if I can keep this baby alive and rebloom even once a year.

It is so beautiful, even my husband (who does not care much about plants) is smitten by it. He is actually proud that he bought it... And this has earned its place in he center of our table in the breakfast nook where it gets bright filtered lights most of the day.

OK, if I read you right, you don't "quite" trust this growing method, at least not long-term. Oh well, I guess I will just keep mounting/hanging my Vanda plants unless someone has longer experience in growing orchids in semi-closed containers and can tell me what works longer-term.

Thanks, Gigi. And yes, those roots do look very healthy. Was the orchid bought in this glass vase? If so, I assume it is simply a gimmick, the same as those Phal. bought in the big-box stores, in cheap, non-draining, plastic vases.

Yes, I don't quite trust growing orchids in this method.

about growing the Vandas the way you have it. My baby one is on my oak tree.

I see you get some sunburn too.

Oh yeah, that's my red Catt that I've been growing in partial sun. I accidentally left it outside in full sun when it was still in the pot. It is now recovering nicely under the oak tree and the new babies, leaves have no sign of damage. It is trying to bloom also.

My big Vandas sure do have too much root system to grow in a vase like that. But I did play Gigi's video long enough to hear the author say she would not grow a Vanda as big as Pachara Delight in a vase. She says that vase growing is suitable for mini Vandas though. Hmmm, I have a mini, and a really nice glass vase too . . .

Gigi, I'd anticipate you'll start seeing aerial roots before the weather turns cold, and that will most likely be the time to take it out of the vase and hang it up.

My Vandas are in full, blazing sun until late afternoon and never show a trace of sunburn.

I had to move my V. tessellata hybrid under some oaks so that it only gets late afternoon sun. It started showing signs of sun-stressed leaves. My V. Sunlight 'Orange' is still in full sun and is doing fine.

I'm following the "Florida Vanda Growing Month by Month" by Martin Motes. Great book and so many tips and tricks contained in the pages. I recommend getting it!

Yep, I've been falling asleep over that book for a few weeks now, too. Lots of great information, especially for me.

Thanks Ellaine, I will keep that in mind so I don't forget or be tempted to keep this Vanda in the vase.

Melissa, thanks, I will see if it is not too expensive, maybe I can download it. I only have 2 Vandas though...for now.

Gigi, I'd be growing that baby outside, too, once you take it out of the vase. Vandas love warm, humid weather and I'm sure you keep your house much cooler and drier than it is outside these days.

I bring all my Vandas in as soon as the nights are going below 55 or so, though. In that weather, we usually have the windows open in the daytime anyway, so the air is the same indoors and out. But at this time of year your house is a virtual desert environment.

Gigi, http://www.motesorchids.com/sh...

$17.50 and you can save shipping if you live near Motes. Believe you can pick it up at their nursery. It is well worth the money!

Option #2 at Amazon.com: $20.00 plus $3.99 shipping: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb...

Motes wants $12.00 shipping plus $1.05 tax for a total of $30.55.

Jim

Right, Jim...but you can throw in a few seedlings too!

Says Melissa, the enabler!