First flowering of Vanda merrillii

Vanda merrillii first flower

Today after much stubbornness (since 2015) I finally got Vanda merrillii to bloom. This species originates from the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It is a warm grower according to IOSPE. I keep mine hanging outside under shade cloth. It gets some late afternoon direct sunlight and I keep it watered every second or third day in the heat here in Townsville. The roots seem to grow continuously all year. Some of this plant's roots are now nearly a metre long.