I think the operative phrase is "before I bought the plant". Keep it watered and the light level up and it will flower. Sometimes Vandas can blast buds if the temperature gets too low, so that is a possibility. Vanda species are more sensitive than hybrids and Ascocenda hybrids usually don't blast if they remain in the same conditions as they had when they initiated the spike. Slow is good, spike-wise, because that usually goes with long-lasting flowers.

Hello richardol, Yes it's just the one newest leaf and pulled straight out from the core. It had jammed in the vase and foolishly I yanked it by the new leaf and out it came cleanly and completely. I am mortified. I do hope it comes good as I have only grown the vandas for about 18 months and they flower for me quite happily in the vases and I dunk them twice a week in the sink and spray them too. Can't believe I did it. Will it grow a new crown? Thanks Hazel.

Hello Bill, The plant came with good roots protected with moist spagnum moss and no soil. The stem was packed around with newspapers and the tip showing a rather limp inflo,also half way down stem was a blue tape which I thought was part of the protective wrapping. As I began removing it I could see it was to protect a graft (which I hadn't been told of )but I continued to remove the tape because I thought that would maybe strangle the stem as it expanded when growing. My query is that the graft has left a line shaped like a V and I wondered if I should put the tape back on? Thanks Hazel.

Crikey Hazel, is there any room left for Jim's fishing equipment?? lol!! The plants certainly look healthy. Lets hope we get some modicum of a summer this year and then all our plants can go outside...and get bigger still... hehe! In our living room at the moment I have 5 orchids, 2 trays of plumie seedlings, 4 bigger plumies, a stephanotis, a 5ft Date palm, 4 2ft Washingtonia palms, the Desert Rose propagator (all 5 are doing fantastic in there (it's just on overnight)and have hardened up and put on new growth), a clivia, oh yes, and the 6 ft Dracaena. The g/h is full and other plants are scattered around the rest of the house, as one does! We have horizontal rain and sleet a the moment. Bring on the warmer weather...please! cheers, Gill.