This Vanda Orchid Is a Flower Machine

(Vanda Prayad Muang Ratch x Ascocenda Lena Kamolphan) x Vanda Srakaew, orchid hybrid flowers, big purple flowers, grown indoors in Pacifica, California(Vanda Prayad Muang Ratch x Ascocenda Lena Kamolphan) x Vanda Srakaew, orchid hybrid flower, big purple flower, grown indoors in Pacifica, California(Vanda Prayad Muang Ratch x Ascocenda Lena Kamolphan) x Vanda Srakaew, orchid hybrid flowers, big purple flowers, grown indoors in Pacifica, California

This Vanda is a flower machine. It keeps blooming, and it’s grown well enough to need a bigger vase. I blogged before about the handy Vanda trick I use. These orchids are normally kept mounted, in baskets, or bare root. Those methods can be challenging for home growers outside the tropics. They’re much easier to care for in a vase. This hybrid reliably blooms twice a year, boasting showy, purple blossoms for three months at a time.

(Vanda Prayad Muang Ratch x Ascocenda Lena Kamolphan) x Vanda Srakaew, orchid hybrid flowers leaves and roots, big purple flowers, grown indoors in Pacifica, California(Vanda Prayad Muang Ratch x Ascocenda Lena Kamolphan) x Vanda Srakaew, orchid hybrid flowers leaves and roots in a glass vase, big purple flowers, grown indoors in Pacifica, California(Vanda Prayad Muang Ratch x Ascocenda Lena Kamolphan) x Vanda Srakaew, orchid hybrid flowers, big purple flowers, grown indoors in Pacifica, California

Each flower is big and round, but not flat, with a dark lip sticking out of all that purple. When I moved the plant to the larger vase, I worked as many of its thick roots as I could inside the glass. They hold the plant in place, and counterbalance the big flower spikes.

(Vanda Prayad Muang Ratch x Ascocenda Lena Kamolphan) x Vanda Srakaew, close up of flower lip, orchid hybrid flower, big purple flower, grown indoors in Pacifica, California(Vanda Prayad Muang Ratch x Ascocenda Lena Kamolphan) x Vanda Srakaew, close up of flower lip, orchid hybrid flower, big purple flower, grown indoors in Pacifica, California(Vanda Prayad Muang Ratch x Ascocenda Lena Kamolphan) x Vanda Srakaew, close up of color pattern on flower, orchid hybrid flower, big purple flower, grown indoors in Pacifica, California

Watering is done by regularly filling the vase, and letting the plant soak for a few minutes. Then pour out most of the water, leaving a shallow layer at the bottom to keep humidity high around the roots and leaves. It’s easy to fertilize weakly, weekly. I try to keep the roots clean of moss and algae. With warm days and morning sun, it’s relatively easy to enjoy lush, tropical orchids. With these growing tips, you may be able to have your own flower machine.

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