We prefer this made-up trunk to a real tree fern 
stump, because it permits the plants to send their 
roots into it through the spaces between the strips 
and makes feeding and watering easier. While Vanda 
roots are very brittle when short, they are easily 
twisted around their own axis in any direction when 
at least a foot long. This makes it simple to direct 
them back to the trunk, where they can be properly 
controlled. 
Compost 
Small plants, up to 3-inch pots grow very well in 
a rough grade of osmunda. In transplanting mature 
Vandas it is important to keep in mind that roots 
that grew in the open will surely rot if buried by 
compost not well aerated. 
In nature the roots of Vandas are in contact with 
plenty of air. This is an important point to remem- 
ber when growing them in confinement. We use 
for our mature plants a mixture of Hawaiian tree 
fern fibre and charcoal chips. Where this fibre is 
not available, a mixture of broken crocks, chunks 
of charcoal and pieces of bone with only a little 
rough fibre, will provide a compost that can be 
kept airy enough to attract the roots. “A tightly 
packed compost will force the roots to go elsewhere 
for air and results in a poor root system and, as 
a result, a weak, spindly plant. : 
Feeding 
Vandas need a good deal of feeding. A definite 
balance between light, water and food must not be 
ignored. A newly potted plant, not as yet established, 
needs shade, moist surroundings, little water and no 
food. After the plant establishes itself, light, food 
and water must be gradually increased. 
Our seedlings are fed liquid food once every two 
weeks. There are many good preparations on the 
market. Liquid poultry manure has proven quite 
satisfactory, if properly diluted. Mature plants can 
be fed either liquid or solid plant food. It goes with- 
out saying that plants should never be fed when 
they are dry. The results might be burns on roots 
and foliage. If overfed, plants develop too succulent 
foliage and are easy prey to the various types of 
diseases to which all plants are subject. 
Bie 
