Gary, I think Vandas just see it as their duty to keep going straight ahead. I've got one that branched. Expected the offshoot to wither but it didn't. But that is really more of a freak than normal. To have them 'bunched up' most people tend to cut off the tops which continue growing and the old stem puts out a new shoot.

I grow Angraecums which are similar to Vandas. They tend to make basal off shoots. It does not stop the main crown from going up. I'm running into a similar problem because by biggest one is getting close to 4ft.

I would think topping the crown would force growth from the base. You would have to take off quite a bit, maybe half.

I would do this in Spring when growth is initiating. If the plant is healthy, it should form off-shoots. This is a guess as I never tried it.

I have had crown-rot on Phals and Aeranthes, cut the crown leaving the healthy leaves. Phals will send up basal growths as will other monpodials. My Aeranthes made 3 basal growths and the rotted crown sent up a spike.

Jane

jane
have tried cutting the crown On strap types usually results in offsets starting right at the cut l Even uglier more lopsided plant lol With teretes they do offset but growth is
concentrated on it and i feel certain it reduces flowering .
have one strap the type with the 6 inch flowers that when all the flowers open tips the basket upside down lol
It is now a bit over 3 feet but with leaves only on the top 2
and the roots are hanging down 6 feet lol. No roots at all on the new growth . Very reluctant to cut with out any roots Going to have to do something as it's growing from floor to roof in shadehouse lol Thanks gary