How to Grow Ascocenda 'Scarlet Delight'

Ascocenda 'Scarlet Delight'

Ascocenda 'Scarlet Delight' (hybrid orchid)

flower

Ascocenda 'Scarlet Delight' is a hybrid orchid cultivar created by crossing Ascocentrum and Vanda species, resulting in a compact, vibrant orchid with brilliant scarlet-red flowers. This epiphytic orchid produces tall, upright growth with leathery leaves and multiple spikes of small, intensely colored blooms. It's prized by orchid enthusiasts for its striking color and relatively compact size compared to standard Vandas.

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Example Ascocenda 'Scarlet Delight' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Ascocenda 'Scarlet Delight'
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Ascocenda 'Scarlet Delight' blooms
Mid-to-late summer

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

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Growing Conditions

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Sun: Bright, indirect light; 12-14 hours daily under grow lights or east/west-facing windowsill. Avoid intense afternoon direct sun which can burn foliage. Ideally 2,000-3,000 foot-candles.

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Water: Weekly watering during growing season (spring-summer), allowing medium to dry slightly between waterings. Reduce frequency in fall-winter. Water early morning to prevent rot. High humidity (50-70%) is essential; mist daily or use a humidity tray. Ensure excellent drainage—orchids rot quickly in standing water.

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Spacing: 12-18 inches between plants to allow air circulation and prevent fungal issues inches

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Days to maturity: 2-3 years from seedling to first blooming plant; mature plants rebloom annually

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Planting depth: Plant at the same depth as original potting; roots should sit at the top of the bark medium

Soil

Type: Orchid bark mix (coarse-grade, typically fir or Monterey pine bark)

pH: 5.5-6.5

Amendments:

Sphagnum moss (10-15% of mix) Charcoal pieces for drainage and air circulation Perlite or cork chips to improve drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Year-round outdoors in zones 11-12; elsewhere requires greenhouse or indoor cultivation with warm temperatures

11a 11b 12a 12b

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Growth Stages

Seedling

6-12 months

Tiny plant with minimal root system and 2-3 small leaves emerging

Keep in humid, shaded conditions. Use fine orchid bark mix. Never allow to dry completely.

Vegetative Growth

1-2 years

Plant develops upright stems with long, strap-like, leathery green leaves arranged alternately; aerial roots begin to emerge

Increase light gradually. Provide bright, filtered light. Support tall stems with stakes. Maintain consistent humidity and air circulation with gentle air movement.

Mature Growth

Ongoing

Plant reaches blooming size with 3-5 stems, 12-24 inches tall, and numerous thick aerial roots; leaves are dark green and succulent

Provide maximum bright light (critical for blooming). Feed biweekly with diluted orchid fertilizer (higher phosphorus formula). Ensure cool, dry rest period in winter (65-70°F nights).

Flowering

4-8 weeks per spike, can rebloom 2-3 times annually

Tall, upright flower spikes emerge from leaf axils bearing multiple small, densely packed, brilliant scarlet-red blooms; flowers are long-lasting

Support spike with stake/clip. Do not move plant excessively. Reduce watering slightly to prolong bloom. Avoid wetting flowers directly.

Post-Bloom

2-6 weeks

Flowers fade and drop; spike may dry or regenerate lower blooms; plant enters rest period

Can leave spike attached to encourage new buds, or trim above a node. Reduce watering and fertilizer. Provide cool night temperatures (55-65°F) to induce reblooming.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Other Ascocenda hybrids Oncidium orchids Cattleya orchids Dendrobium orchids Mounted plants (tree fern, cork oak) in humid settings Ferns (in terrarium setups)

Avoid planting near:

Ripening fruits (emit ethylene gas harmful to orchids) Flowers in water (encourage fungal spores) Cold-air vents or heating vents Direct touching of other plants (spreads pests/disease)

Common Pests

Increase humidity to 70%+; spray with water forcefully to dislodge; use neem oil or miticide if severe. Inspect undersides of leaves weekly.
Isolate infected plant immediately. Remove with alcohol-dipped cotton swab. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly for 3-4 weeks.
Manually remove with brush. Apply horticultural oil or systemic insecticide. Quarantine plant for 6 weeks.
Increase humidity and air circulation. Use blue sticky traps for monitoring. Apply spinosad-based insecticide if needed.
and (Phytophthora, Ralstonia, Pseudomonas spp.)
Ensure excellent drainage and air circulation. Water only in morning. Remove affected leaves/roots with sterile tool. Repot in fresh medium if crown rot appears. Apply copper fungicide preventatively.

Uses

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Not Culinary

Culinary

Ascocenda 'Scarlet Delight' is purely ornamental and not used in culinary applications. [source]

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Cut Flowers & Floral Design

Household

The long-lasting, vibrant scarlet blooms are prized for high-end floral arrangements, bouquets, and special event decor. Cut spikes remain fresh for 4-6 weeks and add dramatic color to interior spaces. [source]

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Specimen Orchid Collection

Craft

This hybrid is highly valued by orchid collectors and enthusiasts as a compact alternative to large Vanda orchids, suitable for specialized orchid displays and greenhouse cultivation. [source]

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Pollinator Attraction

Wildlife

In tropical outdoor settings where grown year-round, the vibrant flowers attract bees and other pollinators, though the plant's epiphytic nature means it's typically cultivated in controlled environments rather than native ecosystems. [source]

Harvest Tips

Ascocenda 'Scarlet Delight' is an ornamental orchid grown for blooms, not harvested for foliage or fruit. Cut flower spikes for arrangements once 50-70% of buds open; place in water-filled vase. Cut at a 45-degree angle just above a lower node on the spike to encourage new flowering shoots. Blooms last 4-6 weeks in a vase; rebloom may occur on the same spike if left attached to the plant.

Fun Facts

🌱 Ascocenda hybrids were created in the 1950s-1960s by crossing the miniature Ascocentrum species with large Vanda orchids, resulting in compact plants with intensely colored flowers—the 'Scarlet Delight' cultivar exemplifies this breakthrough.
🌱 Like all Vanda-type orchids, Ascocenda 'Scarlet Delight' is naturally epiphytic (grows on tree branches in nature) and produces long aerial roots that absorb moisture and nutrients from humid air, explaining why high humidity is critical for success.
🌱 This cultivar can potentially bloom 2-3 times per year if provided with a cool winter rest period (55-65°F nights) and high light conditions, making it one of the more rewarding orchids for patient growers.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Hybrid pH

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