Intro
The Vanda is an orchid that is widely distributed in nature: from India and Sri Lanka to Northern Australia. The Vanda grows and flowers on trees. The roots hang loose in the air or are swung around the tree.
In 1613 the Vanda was discovered by Alvin Semedo, who called it ‘tiao hua’, or ‘air plant’. The aerial roots act like sponges and can quickly absorb a lot of moisture. In addition, these roots ensure that the Vanda remains firmly anchored to the tree on which it grows. So the Vanda does not need soil. In potting soil the roots rot.
Location
The Vanda grows best in a light spot in a glass vase. The Vanda should get as much light as possible it can stay in positions with a little bit of direct sunlight. Flowering takes between 6 and 8 weeks on average. It is possible to place the Vanda in the garden in the summer. Make sure that the Vanda is not constantly exposed to the sun, but make sure that it stands a little in the shade. For example, the Vanda could be placed in a tree without the need for a vase.
Spraying
It is recommended to spray the plant once a week. By spraying the smallest buds you prevent them from drying out and not blooming.
Watering
Fill the vase twice a week with water during sunny, warm periods. Empty the vase after about half an hour. In the colder months it is recommended to water the plant once a week. In the summer months it is important to add orchid feed to the water once every 2 weeks. The Vanda likes to be immersed in the water with the root ball for a short time of about 10 minutes. After this, you have to let the water drain out again. Do this once a week.
Repotting
If you really want to stimulate the growth of the Vanda, you can place the plant in a larger pot. This gives the roots more space and the Vanda will automatically grow faster. Do this after about 2 to 3 years and preferably in the spring. By doing it in the spring, the plant can easily repair any damage.
Origin
The orchid family is a very large family with many different types of plants. However, you can still count the Vanda as one of the more special genera. It is not really known from many orchids where they come from, but from the Vanda we do know that this genus has about 60 species spread over India, South-East Asia, Indonesia, the Himalayas, the Philippines, New Guinea, the south of China and the north of Australia.
Diseases
It could happen that the Vanda will have to deal with mealybug. However, this can be perfectly achieved by regularly spraying the plant, as the mealy bug does not like damp spots. If spraying does not work anyway, it is advisable to purchase biological or possibly chemical pesticides.