Temperature, Air and Water ; 
Hybrid Vandas are far less exacting in their re- 
quirements concerning air, water and temperature 
than are the average species. They are well satisfied 
with a night temperature of 60° F. The day tem- 
perature can rise to almost any height, provided an 
abundance of fresh, moist air is available. Since it 
would be difficult in a very dry climate to maintain 
the necessary humidity and still provide an abun- 
dance of fresh air, adequate shade will have to be 
provided to reduce the temperature and evaporation. 
While Vandas enjoy a nice over-all shower during 
the sunny part of the year, during the dull months 
water should be applied sparingly and to the roots 
only. Water remaining in the leaf sockets for too 
long a period can cause rot, not only of the flower 
buds, but of the plant as well. In short, plenty of 
water during the warm growing season, and just 
enough during the dull part of the year, fresh air 
at all times and a temperature of not less than 60° F, 
should satisfy practically all of our modern hybrids. 
Insect Pests 
Vandas suffer from insect infestations no more 
than do -other orchids. Scale insects probably do 
the most damage. There are many insecticides on the 
market to keep them under control. If the applica- 
tion of an oil spray is called for, make certain that 
your plants have been thoroughly watered several 
hours before. A plant lacking moisture will absorb 
it through the foliage as well as through the roots. 
Even a small amount of mineral oil so absorbed in- 
to the plant body will cause very serious burns which 
may be fatal. It is a good practice to add a table- 
spoon of urea or some other easily dissolved plant 
food to each gallon of your insecticide. By doing this 
you feed your plants as well as rid them of insects. 
How To Select Vandas 
The steadily increasing number of hybrids pro- 
duced, make the selection of the most desirable 
types a bewildering task for the average amateur. 
Large blocks of plants of the same variety, with a 
limit on the number of varieties carried, are the 
aim of most commercial cut flower producers. The 
amateur can afford to stress variety; variety not 
only in color but also in size and shape. 
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