Hello Tim
Congratulations on your new found hobby! (or should I say: my condolences to your bank account?)

I've never grown vanda's before because it's too dry in my grow area for them. They need high humidity, and high light, but I feel like that shouldn't be a problem in florida? Someone who grows Vandas succesfully will surely let you know more about the specifics. Generally however, you will likely need to fertilize once in a while in addition to distilled water. I also think perhaps rain water may be better than distilled water, but I'm not sure.

As for your other orchid, it's probably either a phalaenopsis or a dendrobium...try googling those two names and seeing whether the pictures match waht you have! The culture is indeed quite different so I'm glad you're aware of that

Forget misting it, a vanda needs a good soaking daily. Since it's been so dry, some days I water my mounted orchids twice a day. Whether your porch gets enough light for it or not depends on which direction the porch faces and how close you have it to the screens/windows. Your best bet would be to hang it in a tree where it gets a healthy dose of morning light, with high ambient light later in the day, and lots of rain when the rainy season hits. You'll just have to experiment with it to keep it just shy of burning. Basically, you shouldn't feel the need to baby it. That said, vandas aren't high on my list of favorites, so hopefully someone else in Florida who is more familiar with them will answer you. Laura

They do like water, lots of air movement, bright light, and they are heavy feeders. If it is planted in bark water every couple of days. If it is bare root in a basket, then yes water every day. You should check out the AOS care sheet for specifics. I love them, and find them easy to care for and bloom.

Hey, Tim
I am in Tampa, FL...Growing about 400 orchids: lots of vandas and catts
If you have any questions, email any time: smarodzi@csee.usf.edu

Olya

If you water house plants with your tap water, you can water Vandas with it too. Water before noon if at all possible.

Thanks for all the input.

From waht everyone is saying they should do well were they are. They get bright light all day and a couple of hours of direct sun in the morning time. They are also close enough to the edge of the patio to get rain also.

Though I do water my other plants with tap water and well water I dont think I will do that with the vandas. Im a car enthusist also and from what Ive seen washing my car our water is terrible for sensitive plants since it spots the hell out of your car if not toweled off.

I will work on getting a can to catch rain water, or use distilled if none is available.

So far I have managed not to spend too much money....lol.

I had one given to me, purchased one of all places, Wal Mart and saved 2 of them from HD, they were not in flower and had been there for some time so I got 2 $29.00 plants for $10 each. But I can imagine if I see an excellent plant for sale I will surely buy it. I am an Artist so I look forward to creative ways of mounting them to driftwood and things like that.

Talk to all of you soon...

Tim