| Growing Vanda Orchids |
| Intermediate to warm growing
12 - 28 C (53 - 82F)
These are some of the worlds most beautiful orchids and contain some
of the rare blue orchids seen in cultivation today. They are naturally
found in the Himalayas, Australia as well as some parts of New Guinea.
All of the Vandas are epiphytic and grow on the trunks or branches of
trees, this allows their aerial roots free access to any moisture in the
atmosphere. They can grow in to tall plants up to 3 to 4' high and are
generally grown in either baskets or on cork bark with the roots hanging
down. The flowers of Vanda are usually flat faced and usually appear round
as the petals and sepals are of equal size. A well grown plant may flower
two or three times a year and produce up to 3 or 4 spikes of 10 3 to 5
inch flowers which can last for over a month. Quite a stunning display
can be achieved from a well grown collection of Vandas.
Light requirements
Vandas thrive on sunlight and should be suspended from the greenhouse
roof and positioned as close to the glass as possible. Vandas can take
full sun but prefer the light to be intense but dispersed so as not to
burn the evergreen foliage which surrounds the central stem. In the living
room Vandas should be kept in the brightest window available and should
be moved to other rooms as the seasons change to obtain the maximum light
possible.
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Watering requirements
Vandas like plenty of water during the growing season and if your
plants are grown in baskets or on cork bark they should be watered
every day from June through September. During the remainder of the
year Vandas should not be allowed to dry our but kept evenly moist
at all times. Once Vandas have flowered it is best to give them
a mini rest of 2 to 3 weeks, during this period allow the plants
to dry before watering them again - don't over do it though.
CLICK
HERE FOR THE FULL RANGE OF VANDA ORCHIDS
| LEFT: Vanda 'Blue Magic' - A stunning blue/purple flower of
over 4 inches across! |
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Feeding requirements
These orchids thrive on a balanced plant food and this should be applied
every two weeks at half strength from June through September. Use a high
potash feed again at half strength from September through Mid October
and this will help harden the current seasons growth. From November through
to the following June feed at quarter strength using a standard food but
only feed once a month.
Re-potting schedule
These plants do not like to be disturbed once they have established
themselves. Plants may look untidy after a couple of years due to
the aerial roots but it is at this time that the are at their most
likely to become highly floriferous. Re pot these plants sparingly
otherwise you take the risk of no flowers
Right: Vanda 'Kultana Fantasy' has a wonderfully
spotty face! |
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This is the best way of growing a Vanda orchid, in a basket of
some form where the roots are allowed to dangle naturally below
the plant as they would in the forest canopy
| Left: Vanda 'Robert's Delight Black Jack' - Another stunning
4+ inch flower, this time in deepest blue/purple with even darker
purple markings and almost black lower half - FANTASTIC THINGS! |
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Compost
Vandas will appreciate being grown in either a basket or on a large
piece of cork bark, this allows the swift drainage of water and
the aerial roots to be exposed. If you are to be planting in a pot
use a very open large grade pine bark mix - not compost. Again this
will allow the free drainage of water and any aerial roots that
grow should be allowed to grow outside the pot and not be trained
back in to the compost.
CLICK
HERE FOR THE FULL RANGE OF VANDA ORCHIDS
Right: Vanda 'Fuchsia Queen' has fantastic
bright fuchia pink flowers with spots and splodges |
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Cymbidium