Vanda Tilda Ljunggren

Vanda Tilda Ljunggren named after my beautiful daughter Tilda.

Vanda Gordon Dillon in full bloom.

Second spike of Mokara Walter Oumae opening.

Vanda coerulea f. delicata is still in flower.

Another mounted Ascocentrum garayi.

A look at Vascostylis Crownfox Magic.

Vanda Mimi Palmer

Vanda Mimi Palmer, a cross of Vanda Tan Chay Yan x tessellata. It has a spicy sent that fills the greenhouse.

Nearly all flowers on this Ascocentrum garayi are open. It's a reliable bloomer that usually blooms twice a year.

A slow growing Renanthera named monachica with branching spikes.

Last but not least, Rhynchostylis coelestis.

Vanda Gordon Dillon

Despite everything that has happened there are some thinks to be glad about.

Many plants are getting ready to bloom. Here is one of my favorites, Vanda Gordon Dillon just opening it's flowers. This is a jewel in my collection.

Another one is this Vanda insignis that is flowering for the first time. This plant had to be cut so it only has three flowers now.

This multi-cross, Darwinara Charm flowers two time a year.

In another week another favorite is opening it's flowers, namely Vascostylis Crownfox Magic. This exquisite two colored hybrid from RF-Orchids.

In a couple of weeks I am getting flasks of some very rare Vandas. If everything is fine I will order some more for sale.

Mokara Walter Oumae

A lot of rain today and cold winds. It doesn't feel like summer at all. My Mokara Walter Oumae is soon in full flower. Here is a picture of one of the spikes. This one doesn't seem to need extra light like other Mokaras to bloom.

I hope that this Vanda Golamco's Blue Magic stays fresh until our summer meeting first week in August. It is the best one that I got.

My Ascocentrum garayi is coming with seven spikes. MMmmmmm, me like a lot!

Seed pods showing on Ascocentrum curvifolium.

Fusarium

Phuuu, spent all day yesterday disinfecting the green house and cutting plants. All in all over 60 plants effected.

Here's how it looks when a Vanda root is infecterad with Fusarium. These pictures are the most affected plants. But I had plants with only one infected root where the fungus had traveled in to and up the steam. if you scratch/cut the root it will be red/brown instead of green.

You have to cut the steam until the cutting surface is pure green/yellow. Not showing any red or purple at the edges. See, "Cutting a Vanda" below to see what a clean cut looks like.

I lost some very good plants, but what can one do. Just go on doing what you like the most. Many thanks to Dr. Martin Motes for your help and information.

Waiting for a fungicide that can keep this fungus to a minimum.

A disaster day

Today I nearly started to cry. I read a new book written by PhD Martin Motes about growing Vandas in Florida. There was a chapter with different pests and diseases. The was a picture of how a Vanda root infected with Fusarium looked. This looks familiar.

I started cutting some plants with roots looking like the picture in the book and the cuttings was discolored. So I ordered a fungucid the should help and it is coming next week. So today I have taken out all the plants on one side of the greenhouse. Going through plant by plant cutting all that looked suspicious. Then clean an disinfect the greenhouse. Tomorrow I have to do the same thing with the other side. It looks like 10 plants infected with Rhizoctonia and over 40 plants infected with Fusarium. Phuuu

Cutting a Vanda

Sometimes plants needs to be reduced in length. This one have had some fungus on it's mid leaves.

Before cutting make sure to water the roots carefully.

Sterilize the secateurs withe a flame.

Select a place to cut, make sure that you have at least three good roots on the top cutting.

Check the cutting surface to see if it is clear. The color should be green to yellow without any black or brown markings.

Use some kind of grafting wax to seal the cut.

Grafting wax is in place.

Anchor the top cutting well.

The lower half of the plant usually sets new plants when its cut.

Now you have two plants. :-)