Question
I live on the East TN/KY border.  Lowes had their Orchids on sale.  The Vanda hanging basket is in a metal basket with no dirt!  How in the world can I care for this.  I hung it up outdoors under the carport where it gets a breeze. How do I water?  Also, bought a Dendrobium in a clay pot.  Looks like it has new growth shooting out.  Shall I just leave it be and water from underneath twice a month?

Answer
Hello Derek,

Hey, you aren't too far from Corbin, Ky where a friend lives.  I've never visited her but she said Corbin is almost in West Virginia.  

Is it a Vanda or Cymbidium that is in the hanging basket?  Vandas are many times grown in hanging baskets but it is unusual for a Cymbidium.  For that reason, I am assuming you have a Vanda orchid.  Correct me if I'm wrong.  

Since there is little or no potting media in the basket, there is nothing to hold moisture around the exposed roots.  For this reason, it would be adviseable to water the roots daily.  The roots will turn a light green color as they absorb water, water enough for all or most roots to change color.  Misting also works but it takes longer for the roots to absorb enough water.  Vandas are heavy feeders, especially nitrogen so feed it a fertilizer high in nitrate and/or ammoniacal nitrogen with every watering.  It also should contain other minerals but in lesser amounts.  Vandas love sunlight so try to place it where it will get at least 70% sunlight.  Humidity above 50% (70% is better) along with some light breezes.  It can get cold in winter there so be prepared to move it indoors when night temperatures start dipping below 55F.  Indoors, place it where it will get as much sunlight as possible over winter.  Keep watering it over winter.  

Leave dendrobium alone for now.  Water it as you have been from underneath.  Dendrobiums do not require lots of fertilizer (balance orchid formula) to grow and bloom, so use about a forth of the amount suggested on the container.  

Hope this helped.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.