The Vanda genus mainly populates warm Asian and Pacific regions, 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 Vanda genus includes over 45 known botanical species and more than 1000 horticultural hybrids, making it a genus of special importance for the specialty trade, both as cut flowers intended for floral arrangements and bouquets, and as living specimens sought after by orchid collecting enthusiasts..
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 consistency of the petals, the Vanda genus 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, as the moisture absorbed from the air and the ability to store large amounts of water in the root tissue during heavy rains, which is then released to the plant tissues, satisfy the moisture needs of the species in the genus. Although one of the first species described in 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, thick 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 Vanda genus, and closely related and similar, are the genera Ascocentrum and Ascocenda (a hybrid genus between Ascocentrum and Vanda). A commonly accepted, though not unanimous, classification distinguishes 4 major groups:
- Euanthe, which is based on the species typology of 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 most Vanda species are not fragrant, there are exceptions such as Vanda amesiana, Vanda denisoniana, Vanda cristata, Vanda dearie. Some species have vein-like coloration, like Vanda coerulea, or spotted patterns, like Vanda tricolor and Vanda sanderiana. Although most species and hybrids bloom 2 – 3 times a year, there are known cases, including in Romania, where attentive and dedicated collectors have achieved up to 6 bloomings within 12 months in hardy hybrids such as Vanda Nacha Mandarin, which is also known for its exceptional keiki production. Growing members of the genus is not difficult if the necessary environmental conditions are created, ensuring active growth and regular flowering.
Ideal humidity for growing the Vanda genus will range between 60 – 70% during the day and 80 – 90% at night to ensure rapid growth, but these values are indicative, in practice very good results have been observed even with a constant day/night humidity ratio (e.g., 60% both 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 growth 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 container is especially recommended for young or medium-sized plants - the glass container retains moisture longer and creates a greenhouse effect. Practical experience from collectors in Romania shows that watering by soaking the roots for about 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 container if dehydration occurs too quickly. In the warm season, Vanda can be helped with misting every few days, depending on the ambient temperature and the plant's appearance.
- Growing in a wooden basket, without substrate, can be recommended for medium-sized (in atmospheric humidity conditions above 70%) or large Vanda orchid specimens. Tropical hardwood is preferred because it retains moisture better. If this growing method is desired and the plant is found to lack sufficient moisture, a few large pieces of bark should be added to the wooden basket and the roots should be misted 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 the plant's development.
- Growing in substrate has become very popular among collectors because 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. Vanda species 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, it will not need to be changed frequently and can be done once every 4–5 years. If an organic substrate (a combination of bark and sphagnum, coconut husk pieces, or large bark pieces) is chosen as the growing medium, this substrate will need to be changed at least once every 2 years. Before placing the plants in pots, the substrate components should 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 should be done every 6–8 days but 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 continue during flowering, as the plants will consume a large amount of nutrients during the flowering process. 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 keikis and with massive flowering on more than 2–3 spikes. The fertilizer used can have a balanced formula, such as 20–20–20. Fertilization should be done immediately after watering so that the roots are saturated with water, and then a new abundant watering should be done to wash away and remove excess fertilizer.
Ideal light for the Vanda genus is strong, even stronger than for the Cattleya genus, but equally filtered, not direct. Excess light can be easily identified by yellowing leaves and sunburn. Conversely, a dark green color indicates insufficient light.
Ideal growth temperature for Vanda ranges from 21 – 30 ℃ during the day and 10 – 15 ℃ at night. In high temperatures (above 30 ℃), more frequent watering will be necessary, sometimes even 2 – 3 times a day. In low temperatures (below 18 ℃), abundant watering will most likely cause fungal diseases on leaves and roots.
Ventilation is especially important for Vanda species; lack of it can easily cause fungal diseases.
Tips and tricks
- Vanda can grow in symbiosis with Tillandsia Usneoides (Spanish Moss). Wrapping the roots in Spanish Moss helps retain 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 thick roots with a much greater water retention capacity appear in their place. Thus, the loss of thin roots is a normal phenomenon.
- Vanda needs an adjustment period of 4 to 12 months. During this time, the plant may not produce flowers or may not bloom satisfactorily. This is not a reason to panic and no action is necessary.
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