The genus Vanda especially populates the warm Asian and Pacific areas, in mostly epiphytic resorts, with rare theric or saxicolous species (on the ground or on stones). 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 particular importance for the specialty trade, both as cut flowers intended for floral arrangements and bouquets, as well as live specimens, sought after by enthusiastic orchid collectors .

An interesting aspect, which attracts enthusiasts to this genus, is that, although in the Orchidaceae family in general, the durability of the flowers is directly proportional to the thickness and consistency of the petals, the Vanda genus is an exception to this rule, having flowers with delicate, thin petals, which persist for a long time.

Of a rare beauty among orchids, both from a chromatic and morphological point of view, with shades of purple to natural blue, Vanda prefers woody plants, even on fallen logs, without requiring the roots to penetrate a substrate, since the moisture absorbed from air and the ability to fix large amounts of water in the root tissue during torrential rains, which later to release to the plant tissues satisfy the moisture requirement for the species of the genus. Although one of the first described species from this genus is Vanda tesselata , in 1819 Robert Brown uses the genus name to describe the species Vanda roxburghii, which he dedicates to the director of the botanical garden in Calcutta, William Roxburgh.

An epiphyte with monopodial growth, with hard, consistent leaves arranged pinnately against the trunk, Vanda presents a variability of leaves that roughly divides the genus into three distinct groups: broad leaves, cylindrical leaves and hard (terete) or semi-hard (semiterete) leaves. In the same taxonomic group as the genus Vanda , and strongly related and similar, there are also the genera Ascocentrum and Ascocenda (hybrid genus between Ascocentrum and Vanda). A commonly accepted, but not unanimous, system distinguishes 4 major groups:

• Euanthe, which is based on the typology of the Vanda sanderiana species;
• Trudelia, which groups similar epiphyte species from the Himalayas;
• Holcoglossum, with semi-terrestrial species from China and Indochina
• Papilionanthe, which groups the terrestrial species.

In general, the Vanda species can remain alive without any intervention (no watering or fertilization) for 4-8 weeks , depending on the growing climate and the variety. Although in general the species of the genus Vanda are not scented, there are also representatives that deviate from this rule, such as Vanda amesiana, Vanda denisoniana, Vanda cristata, Vanda dearie . Some species show color in the form of vines, like Vanda coerulea , or with punctuation, 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, when careful and concerned collectors managed even 6 blooms in the course of 12 months , in resistant hybrids such as Vanda Nacha Mandarin , also known for its exceptional keiki productivity. Growing representatives of the genus is not difficult, if the necessary environmental conditions are created, this aspect ensuring active growth and regular flowering.

The ideal humidity for the growth of the Vanda genus will be placed as daytime values ​​in the 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 and in the case of a constant day/night humidity ratio (eg 60% day and night). In the case of a long-term lack of moisture, the plants will gradually lose their roots, and the leaves will become soft and wrinkled (a sign of dehydration), gradually turning yellow and falling. At the same time, in the absence of adequate humidity, flowering will be difficult to obtain.

The watering and growing system for the Vanda genus will have to take into account the high hydrophilicity of the genus, because as they grow, the plants will absorb a larger volume of water.

• Growing in a glass pot is especially recommended for young or medium-sized plants - the glass pot retains moisture longer and generates the greenhouse effect. The practical experience of collectors from Romania shows that watering by immersing the roots for approx. 40 min in water at room temperature or slightly warm, every 6-7 days. A thin layer of sphagnum or clay balls can be placed on the bottom of the pot, if dehydration is too fast. In the warm season , Vanda can be helped with sprays every few days, depending on the ambient temperature and the appearance of the plant.
• Growing in a wooden basket , without a substrate , can be recommended for specimens of Vanda orchids that are medium in size (in conditions of atmospheric humidity above 70%) or large. Wood from tropical trees is preferred because it retains moisture better. In the context in which this growth 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 free roots can be recommended to experienced Vanda orchid collectors , who can provide the plants with an ideal microclimate, with controlled humidity and temperature. Watering will be adjusted according to the environmental factors and the evolution of the plant.
• Growing in the substrate has become very popular among collectors, because it requires much less frequent irrigation and therefore less time spent on care. It is recommended especially for young plants or the few species of terrestrial Vanda, paying special attention to humidity, as this cultivation system can contribute to the installation of root rot. The species of the Vanda genus can be grown in pots with coal and stone, tuff, ceramic balls, pumice stone, or in baskets without substrate. Since to a large extent the substrate will be inorganic, its change will not have to be frequent, being possible once every 4-5 years. If you opt for an organic substrate ( a combination of bark and sphagnum , pieces of coconut or large bark), as a culture medium, this substrate will be changed at least once every 2 years. Before installing the plants in the pot, the substrate components will be disinfected and fertilized. In the seedling stage, Vanda can be grown in sphagnum, until the root system is sufficiently developed and the plant is large enough to be moved. Watering will be done every 6-8 days, but it will be adjusted by carefully following the plant and the microclimate

Fertilization of the Vanda genus will be severely reduced or even stopped during the winter, when the watering interval will be carefully controlled. In the 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 the flowering process. From the point of view of the culture technique, Vanda is massively similar to the genera Cattleya and Cymbidium, but prefers a larger amount of nitrogen for fertilization, as it also requires a higher supply of light radiation. For this reason, if for most types of orchids it is recommended to administer fertilizers at concentrations of 25-50% of the dosage recommended by the manufacturer, in the case of the Vanda genus, concentrations of 50-75% of the recommended dosage will be used, or even 100% for large specimens (provided that a quality fertilizer is used, so as not to burn the roots of the plants), with fast growth, or for specimens rich in keiki and with massive flowering, on more than 2-3 stems. The fertilizer used can have a balanced formula, of the 20-20-20 type. Fertilization will be done immediately after watering, so that the roots are saturated with water, and afterwards a new abundant watering will be done, to wash and remove the excess of fertiliser.

The ideal light for the Vanda genus will be strong, even stronger than in the case of the Cattleya genus, but equally filtered, not direct. The excess of light can be easily identified by the yellowing of the leaves and the appearance of sunburn. By contrast, observing the dark green color means the absence of light in a satisfactory amount.

The ideal growing temperature for Vanda will be recorded with daytime values ​​between 21 - 30 ℃ and night values ​​up to 10 - 15 ℃. In the case of high temperatures (over 30 ℃), it will be necessary to ensure more frequent irrigation, sometimes even 2-3 times a day. In the case of low temperatures (below 18 ℃), it will be considered that the abundance of irrigation will most likely produce fungal diseases of the leaves and roots.

Ventilation is particularly important for species of the Vanda genus, the lack of which can easily cause fungal diseases.

Tips and tricks

• Vanda can grow in symbiosis with Tillansia Usneoides (Spanish Moss). By wrapping the roots in Spanish Moss, the humidity is preserved much better.
• In the case of the growing system in wooden baskets, the roots can be partially covered with Sphagnum moss, for better moisture retention.
• The sale comes from producers with thin "greenhouse" roots. Over time, these roots are lost, and thick roots appear in their place with a much higher water retention capacity. Thus, the loss of thin roots is a normal phenomenon.
• The sale needs accommodation periods of 4, up to 12 months. During this period it is possible that the plant does not produce flowers or does not offer a satisfactory flowering. There is no reason to panic and no action is necessary.

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