Ants ned to be attacked at their source. If your vanda is surrounded by ants, you will not be able to create a safe zone. Track the ant trails and see where they are going and kill the nest. Ants will also bring sucking insects and the ants eat the secretions of the ants. Orthene is a systemic to be sprayed on the roots. It will last for 2 plus weeks. It will add a bad taste for the ants. and will kill any sucking insects brought by the ants.

I am not going to kill a whole community of ants just to get my flowers going.

I am the type of guy who always finds a way. I think my tape solution will work.

Yes these ants are farmers. They bring these insects that look like oval upside down cups. But they only do that on my Gerberas. I place cinnamon on them and they are doing fine now. Too bad it doesn’t work on Vandas.

I am just angry that I cannot find one article that shows cinnamon can kill buds.

Is this just stupid industrial propaganda. I should have used baking soda.

Well, whatever works, I will place it here.

I think my main issue right now is knowing if Vandas are able to flower sooner if their flowering spike doesn’t grow.

I have had a vanda spike abort and have not found that it flowers sooner next time. Your experience may be different, but that's my 2 cents.

Thanks, I am going to try soapy water, but diatomaceous earth first to see if that works. Funny, I have that already. I wish I could have used it instead of the cinnamon.

Yes, I thought that would be the answer concerning the flower spike. I had another that lost it. Had not flowered in three months.

The ones I have hanging from bamboos never give me problems cause it is difficult for ants to get to them. However, some got damage in a few of the leaves during the cold weather. I didn’t know they can get damage from temperatures of 37f.

I have catleya orchids. They can take cold weather to the top 30s.

But I am new with Vandas. I got in too quick. I have now 12 different ones.

I like them a lot cause they flower more than twice a year.

Vandas need HOT. Nothing below 50F if possible.

The Cattleya's might survive in the high 30's but will be harmed. I heat for the vanda's and the cattleyas at 50.

Thanks.

I've had cattleyas and many other orchids exposed to 31 F with no damage at all...

There are some that can manage that. Those with habitats of high altitude. Most will die or be damaged.