Vanda Orchid Care

Welcome to ...Vanda orchid care.

The genus Vanda contains many species represented by large handsome plants and a wide variety of beauty in the flowers.

By some growers considered difficult to cultivate, their charm is well worth the supplying of their particular needs and the studying of their habits.

The plants are pseudobulb-less, the leaves distichous (dis-tik-ous), or disposed in two parallel lines along the heavy, erect stem.

The tendency of the stem is to grow up toward the sun, as the surprised amateur finds when his plant reaches the roof and has no more room to grow. The lower leaves frequently drop off.


Thick aerial roots form along the stem and, when smooth, green-tipped, and fat, indicate that the plant is progressing. When they become shriveled and ringed, something is drastically wrong with their culture and vanda orchid care.

In the showier species the flowers are borne in loose racemes and have spreading sepals and petals; in others the petals are spread and tend to roll under. In the former type the texture of the flowers is papery but shines as though sprinkled with diamond dust.

In the latter the texture is leathery or waxy and very heavy. The lip is often very inconspicuous.

Plants of monopodial growth, like the Vanda, with the new growth appearing continuously from the top or crown, will not divide so readily. The only method of propagation for them, other than seed growing, is to cut off the top of the plant below several of the husky aerial roots.

On being potted, the top part may take root and become a new plant. It is a risky practice, however, and is not especially recommended to amateurs unless for some reason the crown of the plant has become damaged and appears dead.

When the top is cut off or injured in this fashion the bottom part will probably develop adventitious plants.

This type of plant is a slow grower and needs to be very large before flowering, so that any kind of propagation is a slow and tedious process at best.

The monopodial, including the Vanda, grow continuously from a central crown, which eventually appears atop a long stem that has frequently lost its lower leaves. Phalaenopsis, although monopodial, is stemless, but yearly grows a pair of leaves from the characteristic crown.

The leaves of monopodial orchids are heavy, leathery, fleshy, and capable of storing some quantity of moisture, but the plants must never be allowed to dry out completely. The leaves of Vanda teres, like pine needles, do not resemble leaves, but are three to four inches long, very slender, round and succulent, and taper to a point.

When it comes to vanda orchid care, they are considered sun worshipper. Among the sun-worshipers are the Vandas, natives of India, the Philippines, and some Pacific islands.

They will not thrive without adequate sun, and they must have corresponding amounts of heat and water. Care must be exercised to keep water from remaining in the growing crown.

few vanda orchid care tips to help you.