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trevor05

How do I make my Vanda flower?

15 years ago

Hello there! I am new here and would like to ask some tips regarding how to make my Vanda Orchids bloom.

I have bought 5 Vandas at a local store here in the Philippines about 3 years ago, all have flowers at that time.

I have them mounted on a tree and they are receiving enough morning sun from 7am to 12nn. I water them every other day considering the type of climate we have here in the Philippines. I regularly fertilize them, weekly, with 15-30-15. My problem is, they have not produced flowers for 2 and half years now that is why I changed the fertilizer I'm using to 9-45-15.

I also have another type of orchid,it had flowered once but never again, But I don't specifically know what type it is, but describing it, it has broad leaves which are somewhat like grass leaves, it has a bulb like that of a cattleya but broader. Any tips? Thank you.

Comments (12)

  • 15 years ago

    It's a worry, not being able to flower Vandas in the Philippines. What sort of Vandas are they? do they have name tags? Do they have strap or terete (round) leaves?
    Know nothing about growing orchids in the tropical lowlands but those fertilizer ratios look most peculiar, perhaps a higher Nitrogen number might be better.

    In summer when plants are actively growing i use a complete fertilizer with trace elements and NPK 15:13:12

  • 15 years ago

    Thanks anthrum! :)

    The kind of vandas I have, I think are Strap-leaf Vandas (after google-ing "kind of Vandas"). Sorry, I am not familiar with the kinds of vandas there are.. Sigh.. and those being sold in the market are rather not tagged as to what name or kind of orchids they are.

    I bought the fertilizer I am using now, the 9-45-15 from one orchid store here in our country, and the lady there said that they are using the same on all orchids they are selling, and I happened to believe her.

    I always envy those gardens with orchids blooming non stop. I hope mine will bloom soon.. Well, please pray with me.. :D Thanks.

  • 15 years ago

    I'm not a pro at growing orchids, but I do have quite a few vandas. The ones that bloom the best are the ones that get full day sun and are in some sort of rock medium, like lava rocks. I also fertilize with a fertilizer similar to the one you purchased and I notice that about 3 weeks after fertilizing, I get bloom spikes. I hope this helps.

  • 15 years ago

    Hi trini! :)
    Thanks for the advice!
    I wanna ask, how frequent do you fertilize your vandas? I was instructed by the store owner, where I bought the fertilizer to spray the orchids twice weekly. Do you think, what's causing the problem is that they are overfed with fertilizer? Thanks! :D

  • 15 years ago

    Trevor, the short answer is 'when I remember'. lol
    I 'throw' a scoop of the fertilizer over the rocks probably about once a month (or two). I should do a better job at recording the time but they are so religious in blooming that I never really paid attention to how often I fertilize. If I were you, I would follow the instruction the store owner gave and see what happens.

  • 15 years ago

    I agree with Jane. More light. You can't give a vanda too much light, although you can move it into full light to quickly. I bloom lots of these in the greenhouse, with no real special care, other than watering every day.

  • 15 years ago

    @Trini, Jane, Bob:

    Thank you all for the pieces of advice you gave me.
    Glad to have that insights from experienced growers like you. :D

  • 10 years ago

    Increase the amount of light they get and consider changing to a different brand of fertilizer and to one that has micronutrients - don't throw away your existing fertilizer but use it on other plants or alternate using it with the new fertilizer). High-nitrogen fertilizers will inhibit flowering in vandas and are not recommended. (Nitrogen (the 1st number in fertilizer) is for growth, phosphorus (2nd number) is for flowers and last number is for overall plant health). Good luck!!

  • 10 years ago

    post a picture, there may be something missing from your culture description...

  • 10 years ago

    This thread is from 2011

  • 10 years ago

    well then, ts about times for an update...Yes?

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