How Long Does An Orchid Live? A Semi Terete Vanda Example!

I have had the question "How long does an orchid live?" asked of me several times.  I really do not know the answer.  However, some people have told me that theoretically an orchid could live forever.  I am not sure if this is actually true.  However, an orchid will continually grow new parts as other parts of the plant die.  So they are self-propagating.  The following orchid I have owned for 13 years.  Testimony to the hardiness of some orchids, this one for sure, is that when I bought it, I knew nothing about caring for an orchid.  So, unintentionally, I have tried to kill it many times in the first 7 or 8 years that I owned it.  However, it has always managed to come back.  Now that I know how to care for it, I have gradually nursed it back to better health.  This year it bloomed better than it has in several years.  I took these pictures this morning.

I purchased this orchid on a whim from a small shop in South Miami.  It had no label, so I do not even know exactly what hybrid it is.  All that I know is that it is a Semi-terete Vanda.  It likes relatively high light and can even tolerate direct sun if it is allowed to get used to it gradually.  Like all Vandas, it likes lots of water, to dry quickly, and plenty of fertilizer.  This particular orchid is a little stalky right now.  In the past it was not watered as much as it would like, so it has lost some leaves.  However, the stem is starting to grow roots higher up toward the leaves and eventually when enough roots have grow higher up, I will be able to cut the stem and make the plant look more normal.

Vandas in the Garden

Did you keep your Vandas warm this past winter?  Did you water them well, particularly this spring when the air was dry?  Did you fertilize you Vandas?  Did you give your Vandas plenty of light, particularly early morning and afternoon sun?  If so, Vandas will reward you with plenty of blooms during the summer months.

Update on Ascocenda Su-Fun Beauty 'Orange Belle' AM/AOS

In my last post I had photos of the very FIRST blooms on a very small Ascocenda.  I was wondering if it was unusual to have an orchid like this to bloom when it was so young.

Well I sent the pictures to the vendor from which I bought the plant.  They said that this particular hybid was the MOST floriferous orchid that they sell and that it was not unusual for this plant to bloom when it was young.  They said that when grown well this orchid can bloom 4 - 6 times per year.

If you like to grow vandaceous orchids, I would definitely recommend that you get one of these orchids.  The color is stunning and it blooms like crazy.

I bought the plant at R.F. Orchids in Homestead, Florida.  They said that as of today they have a limited supply on hand.  They sell these orchids online and they are listed on their website under "vandaceous mericlones"  While they are not on the website, they have some smaller ones for sale also.  Of course, if you live in South Florida, why not visit R.F. Orchids in Homestead.  Their grounds are beautiful and they have very neat, well kept greenhouses.  Their orchids are beautiful.  Just beware, it is hard to buy just one!

Ascocenda Su-Fun Beauty 'Orange Belle' AM/AOS - First Bloom for this Plant

This bloom is the VERY FIRST bloom from this seedling.  I purchased the plant last summer as a bare-root seedling.  I would guess that Ascocendas this small have bloomed before, but it is the first time I have seen it happen.  The plant is only about 4 inches tall.  The most amazing part of this bloom is the tremendous orange color.  If this is any hint of things to come, imagine the blooms that this plant will have when it gets fully mature.  It will probably take two or three years before it becomes a mature plant.