Be warned, this entry will be written from a perspective of
a person who is trying to grow these beautiful orchids in a Northern Hemisphere
climate, not hanging, on cork, wood or any magical way.
Just my windowsill.
You have been warned. So now let’s talk Vandas! Anyone who
saw them know they are amazing, beautiful, also big and their flowers come in
the most amazing flowers that last for ages, and can have a wonderful
fragrance!
The name Vanda itself describes a group of species within
the orchid family that combines around 80+ species of plants with various
names, which sometimes can confuse us if they are Vandas or not.
The Vanda was discovered in 1613 by Alvin Semedo, who called
it ‘tiao hua’ or ‘air plant’. The aerial roots act as sponges and can rapidly
absorb a great deal of moisture. These roots also ensure that the plant remains
firmly anchored to the tree on which it is growing. The name Vanda itself is derived
from Sanskrit.
These plants are mostly epiphytic, but sometimes lithophytic
or terrestrial, their natural growth region is generally distributed in India, the
Himalaya, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea, southern China,
and northern Australia.
The genus has a monopodial growth habit with highly variable
leaves according to habitat. Some have flat, typically broad, ovoid leaves
(strap-leaves), while others have cylindrical (terete), fleshy leaves similar
to succulents and are adapted to dry periods. The stems of these orchids vary
considerably in size; some are miniature plants and some have a length of
several meters. The plants can become quite massive in habitat and in
cultivation, and epiphytic species possess very large, rambling aerial root
systems. On an interesting note a Vanda species has been named the largest
flowering plant a few years ago since it was so big it towered over any other
plant.
The many flattened flowers grow on a lateral inflorescence,
with the flower spikes coming out from the main plant crown from between the
foliage – similarly to phalaeonopsis orchids. Most show a yellow-brown color
with brown markings, but they also appear in white, green, orange, red,
burgundy shades, magenta, violet and blue hues. The lip has a small spur. Vanda
species usually bloom every few months and the flowers last for a few weeks,
the length of the blooms depends on the type of species and hybrid you will be
growing. It can be longer or shorter.
Now about care – and this is care from my perspective. I
grow my Vanda’s in a glass juice jar – yes you heard right – I found these in a
UK shop called Wilko. They can hold 8L of liquid and have a hold 2 inches from
the bottom for a tap which gives an extra air movement. These complex Vanda hybrids
grows best in a light spot and warm spot. The plant needs as much light as
possible, if you live in a very hot country you may want to be careful with a
direct sunlight in the summer. The optimum temperature is 17 to 28C. Remember
it’s not an ‘air plant’ the Vanda does not constantly need water. Between March
and September it is a good idea to add orchid food to the water once a
fortnight.
And it works, larger glass jars are better to fit in the
plant roots and the glass will create a bit of a microclimate where the
temperature will be slightly warmer inside that outside.
The way I water is to move the jugs to my bathtub and use
the shower head to quickly fill the jars, the water flows out of the tap hole
and that’s it. However, every two weeks I fill in the jar (plug in the holes of
course) and leave the plants to soak for a few hours.
Where to find a Vanda? Basically almost everywhere,
especially during autumn and Christmas time they are plentiful in Garden
Nurseries, or for Women’s Day (8th of March) or Mothers day.
Also look on eBay or on online plants shops.
Comments
Post a Comment