Question
QUESTION: I have had the following happen to me 3 times in 2 different plants.  A flower spike buds and begins to grow only to turn brown and die before blooming.  Do you have any idea what may be causing this?  Thanks a lot.

ANSWER: Hello Ana Maria,

There are many reasons why a vanda bud never develops into a flower but you did not mention where you live or how you are growing it, information that would help me attempt to give you some things to check and do.  Also, without the name or type of vanda you have, that also makes it somewhat difficult to give you some guidance on how to grow it to flowering.  

Additionally, there are different species within the vanda family of orchids.  They range from small to very tall plants, ability to withstand cool temperatures to hating cool temperatures, requiring lots of sunlight to only moderate light, etc.  

But, here are some things you can check to see if any of these things occured or were near by.  Watering late in the day, water collecting at the base of the buds, sudden temperature changes either hot or cold, fruits in the area, low humidity.  

If none of the above happened, if you can write back with a bit more information about where and how you have been growing it, I might be able to offer some more thoughts as to what is causing the problem.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Jim, thank you so much for your reply.  I live in Miami, Florida.  Unfortunately, I no longer know which type of vandas they are.  One was very tall and the other one is normal size (10-12" high).  I think you may be on the right track about water collecting on the bud and having too much humidity actually causing it to sort of rot.  What do you think?

Answer
Hi Ana Maria,

Yes, living in Miami with your humidity levels it can be a problem.  Miami is one of the better locations in the country to grow just about any vanda but it is best to have them outdoors in mildly filtered sunlight.  Outdoors they also will be where breezes can help dry them off before nightfall when most rots occur.  

If one is very tall and the other much smaller, they may be a vanda and the other an ascoscenda which are related, sort of like distant cousins.  (grin)  

As a matter of fact, one of the best vanda nurseries in the U.S. is located not too far from you, it is R.F. Orchids, 28100 SW 182 Ave., Homestead.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.