A Brief Overview of the Genus Vanda

Author: Celeste Booth2 Comments

Classification

Vanda orchids (pronounced VAN-dah) are gloriously brilliant plants, producing colorful round flowers, that can reach 5 inches wide on long profuse spikes. These plants love high-light. Vandas with lots of aerial roots grow exceptionally well undisturbed in baskets. Vanda plants, not bred with any other species of orchid, can reach heights of up to 10 feet high. Bright, hot southern window exposures are perfect, and a spot where the plants can be watered and fertilized freely and abundantly is ideal.

Naming and Distribution

The name comes from the Sanskrit name for Vanda tesselata. Vanda orchids can be found growing throughout much of Asia.

Plant Identification

Vandas are monopodial orchids, meaning that they grow straight up from one point. Their flowers come in array of colors and can be patterned or solid. They bloom every few months for a couple weeks at a time. There are three categories of Vandas based on the shape of their leaves. They are: terete (rounded, pencil-like leaves), semi-terete (in between), and strap-leaved (broader, flat leaves).

General Care Requirements

LIGHT: Terete Vandas prefer full sun, whereas semi-terete prefer slightly less light, and strap-leaved Vandas even less.

TEMPERATURE: Best temperatures are a maximum of 95ºF during the day, and 60-70ºF at night.

WATER: Water thoroughly, yet make sure that the roots dry fast. Water less frequently during winter months.

POTTING: You should repot your orchid in the spring. Only repot if necessary and do not overpot.

Header image via Wikimedia Commons

Secondary image via Wikimedia Commons