The genus Vanda mainly populates warm Asian and Pacific areas, mostly epiphytic habitats, with rare terrestrial or saxicolous species (on soil or rocks). With a wide distribution from China to the Himalayas, extending to Indonesia, Northern Australia, and New Zealand, the genus Vanda includes over 45 known botanical species and over 1000 horticultural hybrids, constituting a genus of special importance for the specialty trade, both as cut flowers intended for floral arrangements and bouquets, and as living specimens sought by orchid enthusiast collectors..
An interesting aspect that attracts enthusiasts to this genus is that, although in the Orchidaceae family in general, flower durability is directly proportional to the thickness and firmness of the petals, the genus Vanda is an exception to this rule, having flowers with delicate, thin petals that persist for a long time.
Of rare beauty among orchids, both chromatically and morphologically, with shades of violet to natural blue, Vanda prefers lignicolous habitats, even on fallen logs, without requiring roots to penetrate a substrate, since the moisture absorbed from the air and the ability to store large amounts of water in the root tissue during torrential rains, which is then released to the plant tissues, satisfy the moisture needs for species of the genus. Although one of the first species described from this genus is Vanda tesselata, in 1819 Robert Brown used the genus name to describe the species Vanda roxburghii, which he dedicated to the director of the botanical garden in Calcutta, William Roxburgh.
An epiphyte with monopodial growth, with hard, firm leaves arranged pinnately along the stem, Vanda shows leaf variability that roughly divides the genus into three distinct groups: broad leaves, cylindrical leaves, and hard (terete) or semi-hard (semi-terete) leaves. In the same taxonomic group as the genus Vanda, and closely related and similar, are the genera Ascocentrum and Ascocenda (a hybrid genus between Ascocentrum and Vanda). A commonly accepted systematics, though not unanimous, distinguishes 4 major groups:
- Euanthe, which is based on the typology of the species Vanda sanderiana;
- Trudelia, which groups similar epiphytic species from the Himalayas;
- Holcoglossum, with semi-terrestrial species from China and Indochina
- Papilionanthe, which groups the terrestrial species.
In general, Vanda species can survive without any intervention (no watering or fertilizing) for 4 – 8 weeks, depending on the growing climate and variety. Although generally Vanda species are not fragrant, there are representatives that deviate from this rule, such as Vanda amesiana, Vanda denisoniana, Vanda cristata, Vanda dearie. Some species have coloration in the form of veins, like Vanda coerulea, or with spotting, like Vanda tricolor and Vanda sanderiana. Although most species and hybrids bloom up to 2 – 3 times a year, there are known cases, including in Romania, where attentive and dedicated collectors have managed even 6 bloomings within 12 months, in resistant hybrids such as Vanda Nacha Mandarin, also recognized for the exceptional productivity of keikis. Growing representatives of the genus is not difficult if the necessary environmental conditions are created, this aspect ensuring active growth and regular flowering.
Ideal humidity for the growth of the Vanda genus will be in the daytime range of 60 – 70% and with nighttime values of 80 – 90%, to ensure rapid growth, but these values are indicative, in practice very good developments have been observed even with a constant day/night humidity ratio (e.g., 60% day and night). In the case of long-term lack of humidity, the plants will gradually lose their roots, and the leaves will become soft and wrinkled (a sign of dehydration), then gradually yellow and fall off. Also, without adequate humidity, flowering will be difficult to achieve.
Watering and the growing system for the Vanda genus must take into account the high water affinity of the genus, as the plants will absorb a larger volume of water as they grow.
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Growing in a glass pot is especially recommended for young or medium-sized plants - the glass pot retains moisture longer and creates a greenhouse effect. Practical experience of collectors in Romania shows that watering by soaking the roots for approx. 40 minutes in room temperature or slightly warm water every 6-7 days is sufficient. A thin layer of sphagnum or clay balls can be placed at the bottom of the pot if dehydration occurs too quickly. In the warm season, Vanda can be helped with sprays every few days, depending on the ambient temperature and the plant's appearance.
- Growing in a wooden basket, without substrate, can be recommended for Vanda orchid specimens of medium size (in atmospheric humidity conditions over 70%) or large. Tropical wood is preferred because it retains moisture better. If this growing method is desired and it is found that the plant does not have enough moisture, a few large pieces of bark will be added to the wooden basket and the roots will be sprayed more frequently. This growing system requires a shorter watering interval, estimated at 1-3 days, which will be adjusted according to temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors.
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Growing with exposed roots, can be recommended for experienced Vanda orchid collectors who can provide the plants with an ideal microclimate, with controlled humidity and temperature. Watering will be adjusted according to environmental factors and plant development.
- Growing in substrate, has become very popular among collectors, as it requires much less frequent watering and therefore less time spent on care. It is especially recommended for young plants or the few terrestrial Vanda species, paying special attention to humidity, as this cultivation system can contribute to root rot. Species of the Vanda genus can be grown in pots with charcoal and stone, tuff, ceramic balls, pumice stone, or in baskets without substrate. Since the substrate will largely be inorganic, changing it will not need to be frequent, and can be done once every 4 – 5 years. If an organic substrate (combination of bark and sphagnum, pieces of coconut shell or large bark pieces) is chosen as the growing medium, this substrate will be changed at least once every 2 years. Before installing the plants in pots, the substrate components will be disinfected and fertilized. At the seedling stage, Vanda can be grown in sphagnum until the root system is sufficiently developed and the plant is large enough to be transplanted. Watering will be done every 6-8 days but will be adjusted by carefully monitoring the plant and microclimate.
Fertilization of the Vanda genus will be severely reduced or even stopped during the winter period, when the watering interval will also be carefully controlled. In spring, it is recommended to increase the fertilization rate to stimulate growth and flowering, and this treatment can be continued during the flowering period, as the plants will consume a large amount of nutrients during flowering. From a cultivation technique perspective, Vanda is very similar to the genera Cattleya and Cymbidium, but prefers a higher amount of nitrogen in fertilization, as it also requires a higher light radiation input. For this reason, while most orchid genera recommend applying fertilizers at concentrations of 25 – 50% of the manufacturer's recommended dosage, for the Vanda genus concentrations of 50 – 75% of the recommended dosage will be used, or even 100% for large specimens (provided a quality fertilizer is used to avoid burning the plant roots), with rapid growth, or for specimens rich in keiki and with massive flowering on more than 2-3 spikes. The fertilizer used can have a balanced formula, such as 20 – 20 – 20. Fertilization will be done immediately after watering, so the roots are saturated with water, and then a new abundant watering will be done to wash away and remove excess fertilizer.
Ideal light for the Vanda genus will be strong, even stronger than for the Cattleya genus, but equally filtered, not direct. Excess light can be easily identified by yellowing leaves and the appearance of sunburn. Conversely, observing a dark green color indicates the absence of sufficient light.
Ideal growth temperature for Vanda will be with daytime values between 21 – 30 ℃ and nighttime values up to 10 – 15 ℃. In case of high temperatures (above 30 ℃), more frequent watering will be necessary, sometimes even 2 – 3 times a day. In case of low temperatures (below 18 ℃), it should be considered that abundant watering will most likely cause fungal diseases of the leaves and roots.
Ventilation is especially important for species of the Vanda genus, its absence can easily cause fungal diseases.
Tips and tricks
- Vanda can grow in symbiosis with Tillandsia Usneoides (Spanish Moss). Wrapping the roots in Spanish Moss preserves moisture much better.
- In the case of the wooden basket growing system, the roots can be partially covered with Sphagnum moss for better moisture retention.
- Vanda comes from producers with thin "greenhouse" roots. Over time, these roots are lost, and in their place thick roots appear with a much greater water retention capacity. Thus, the loss of thin roots is a normal phenomenon.
- Vanda needs accommodation periods from 4 up to 12 months. During this time, the plant may not produce flowers or may not offer satisfactory blooming. This is not a reason to panic and no action is necessary.
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