“How do I use a Vanda basket to grow my orchid?”

Just a short but informative post this morning, in answer to a question we received recently.

Andy, an indoor gardener in the Portland area loves his orchids. He’s new to growing them and sent us a photo of a gorgeous Vanda growing in a basket. His question: How can I do this too?

In case you’re wondering, yes, Vanda orchids are tropical, native to Asia. They grow like gangbusters, however, outdoors in areas of the country with warm, tropical or subtropical climates.

The good news for the rest of us is that the Vanda orchid has adapted well to growing indoors and will readily bloom if given enough light.

The American Orchid Society suggests growing your indoor Vanda in a bright, south window. They enjoy evening temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit and no higher than 95 degrees in the daytime.

And, it just so happens that the ideal container for growing your Vanda is a Vanda basket.

Supplies needed to grow in a Vanda basket

• Pan
• Vanda basket
• Drill
• Stake
• Hammer
• Orchid bark or mix (optional)
• Plant ties

See Resources section, below, for where to buy.

 

Set the plant in a pan of water. Allow it to soak for 30 minutes to moisten the aerial roots and make them softer.

Turn the Vanda basket over so that you are looking at the bottom. Find a drill bit that is the same or slightly smaller diameter as the stake you will be using when you plant the orchid.

Drill a hole in the center of the bottom of the Vanda basket. Turn the basket over and insert the stake into the hole. You may need to pound it in, lightly, with a hammer.

Remove the Vanda from the water. Hold the orchid’s stem against the stake and tie it, loosely, to the stake.

Add a potting material if you like, although it isn’t necessary. Use tree bark, large chunks of charcoal or lava rocks.

Water the Vanda orchid until the roots are soaked.

Learn how to care for orchids here on Gardenologist.org and find more information about growing Vanda orchids at the American Orchid Society’s website, AOS.org.

 

Resources

 

Vanda Orchid live plant, ‘Chulee’

Vanda Basket 

Stakes and ties 

Orchid bark 

“Your First Orchid,” American Orchid Society (Book)

“The Orchid Whisperer: Expert Secrets for Growing Beautiful Orchids,” Bruce Rogers