Expert: Wayne King - 10/13/2009

Question
Wayne,

I am writing to you because I have a Vanda whose name I don't know, I was hoping that perhaps you would know it OR would know where I can get it.

You can take a look at it by clicking on

http://71.42.14.237/caripito/images/orchids/vanda1.jpg
http://71.42.14.237/caripito/images/orchids/vanda2.jpg

Also, do you know what the white stuff on it is? I think it is just residue from the water it was being watered with. I have a "leaf shine" product from Miracle Gro, is that OK to use to clean it up?

Thanks in advance, as always,
Angelo

Answer
Thanks Angelo.  As you might suspect, there are hundreds of vandaceous hybrids with this coloration.  To make matters worse, vandas often are cross bred with other genera.  My guess is that this is the situation with your plant.  An Asccocentrum or ascocencentrum hybrid was cross bred with a vanda to produce an Ascocenda (ie ascocentrum + vanda = ascocenda). Again, there are hundreds of such hybrids with reddish coloration.

I agree that the residue is a hard water residue. You can use the leaf shine but first I would use a cloth soaked in vinegar and rub the leaves down well with the cloth.  Being a weak acid, the vinegar can dissolve some of the hard water deposit.