Vanda orchids reward owners with gorgeous blooms
If you’ve ever seen orchids associated with an advertisement for the Far East, chances are those flowers belonged to the Vanda genus. Vanda orchids are widespread in Asia; a Vanda is actually the national flower of Singapore! And outside of their native environments, these orchids are becoming popular imported flowers. All over the world, they are one of the most commonly used orchids for commercial undertakings and are quickly becoming a popular wedding and decorative flower as well.
The genus name “Vanda” is a testament to the orchid’s antiquity; it means “orchid” in Sanskrit. These orchids are found on trees and rocks throughout India, China, Indonesia and the Pacific Islands. There are about 50 species of Vanda orchids, including the rare and highly prized Vanda coerulea, a naturally bluish-purple flower. Despite this exception, most Vandas are yellow or brown in color; there are Vandas that are green, white and pink tinged, but yellow is by far the signature shade of this genus.
Most Vanda orchids are monopodial, which means they grow upward in one, straight shoot. The large majority of Vandas will adapt well to indoor life in a pot, although there are a few species that will not bloom indoors. If you keep a Vanda orchid indoors, it will most likely need a support system to help it remain upright. The orchid will grow little by little, adding a few new leaves each year. Vandas bloom fairly regularly–every two to three months–and the flowers last for at least two weeks. Most Vanda orchids produce multiple flat flowers at the same time on one stem.
Caring for a Vanda takes a certain amount of skill, so this varietal may not be a good choice for a first-time orchid buyer. They enjoy higher levels of humidity than most other kinds; you will have to make an active effort to keep the air moist enough for the Vanda to thrive. Placing a humidifier near your plant will do the trick, but these machines can be costly and unsightly. Alternatively, you could mist your Vanda a few times each day or place the pot atop a bed of rocks resting in water. If you use this last method, make sure you avoid direct contact between water and roots.
Vandas like bright light every day. A good method for ensuring your Vanda orchid gets enough sunlight is to put it near an unobstructed window every morning, then move the plant after lunch to a shadier location. It’s not a good idea to leave any orchid in direct sunlight for too long; although Vandas enjoy light, too much can still harm them.
Since most Vanda orchids are epiphytes, a mix of moss, tree bark and nutrients will be the best substrate for them. Look for an epiphyte blend at your local garden store. Specialty substrates like this one can be pricey, but you’ll only have to repot your orchid every year or two, so the cost is negligible in the long run.
If you’re interested in a Vanda orchid but want a specific color, think about finding a hybrid plant. Many Vanda hybrids are beautiful shades of blue and purple. Whatever you choose, be mindful that Vanda orchids take time to mature and can be difficult to raise. If you grow them correctly, however, you’ll get a big payoff–multiple year-round blooms.
