Side-shoots are very possible. Sorry to disagree with Xi, but I'll be
surprised if you report new flower spikes from the dying "mother" plant.
Now, you just need to hope those new shoots develop their own root systems
before "mom" expires entirely. There are products you can buy to increase
these chances, but having to do so would rather negate your "bargain," IMHO.
The longer you can leave those sideshoots attached, the faster they will
grow and bloom for you -- for as long as "mom" hangs in there. When she's
clearly dead, I'd recommend getting them off promptly. Sick, and especially
dead, plants tend to draw pests and pathogens. Good growing, Kenni

"Xi Wang" wrote in message
news:2QPIe.124184$s54.49679@pd7tw2no...
Well, you did say that it was a big plant, so in all likelihood, it will
produce keiki (side shoots). Actually, this might be somewhat good news
since you may end up with 3-4 plantlets over the next few years. As well,
you can expect your vanda to continue flowering. The side shoots
themselves will take a few years to flower, but the mother plant can still
send spikes from the side like it normally does.

Cheers,
Xi

Niek Hanckmann wrote:
Thank you both for your advice, but it came too late... I already went
back to the store to buy it because searching on the Internet I came
across this topic on the UK Orchid forum:
http://www.ukorchidforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=880.

There they stated that it is indeed not a healthy sign when a monopodial
is flowering from the lead, but that a strong plant will survive. It is
possible that it will grow further, but more likely it will make side
shoots. So in the that case I will have to wait two or three years until
it flowers again.

(and in the worst case I end up with a nice vase which appeared to be
included in the price of €16,50!)

Pictures on abpo!

Grtz. Niek


Xi Wang schreef:

Well if a spike is coming out from the crown, then that means the plant
is dead pretty much, unless it grows some keiki. But given the size of
the plant, that may be very possible. All vandaceous plants are
monopodial right?

And yes, as mentioned, the top leaves should be as large, at least, as
the lower leaves. Smaller leaves usually suggest root problems at the
time of growth....

Cheers,
Xi

Kenni Judd wrote:

I wouldn't rush. When plants (or anything else) are priced
ridiculously low, there's usually a reason.

In this case, it sounds like the plants may have been in decline for
some time -- except for the very top one or two that may be in active
growth, the leaves should be at least as long as the ones immediately
below. Also, it should not be flowering from the very top; usually,
it's near the 5th mature leaf down. It sounds like the plant has been
pushed to flower so often that it's outrun itself.

Good growing,