Vanda cultivars
Orchidaceae
Vanda orchid
The leaves occur in opposite rows up tall stems, with the base of the leaf sheathing the stem. Leaves normally appear thick, leathery or fleshy.
Most have medium to large flowers, usually attractive and frequently fragrant.
Vandas are often grouped according to their leaf type:
- Terete Vandas ...These are ones with leaves that are round in cross section, usually with a point at the tip.
- Strap-Leaved Vandas ...These have flattened leaves arranged opposite each other in a single plane up a stem.
- Semi-terete ...These are flattened cylindrical leaves, usually hybrids produced by breeding terete and-strap types together. They are generally easier to grow than terete types.
Uses
No information available at this time...
Culture
Cultural treatments need to be matched to the cultivar according to its origin however, the following generally applies.
The plants should be watered frequently when growing, but as growth slows water sparingly, particularly over winter. Though some will tolerate temperatures as low as 10°Cover winter, others deteriorate rapidly at temperatures below 20°C.
Shade is essential over summer, the amount depending on the texture and tenderness of foliage. Ideally provide 50% shade; though in winter narrow leaved vandaceous plants can tolerate more sunlight. Broader strap-leaved types still need 50% shade even in winter. In cooler climates, cultivars with harder leathery leaves may benefit from being exposed to extra light in autumn.
Ventilation is important, but cold draughts must be avoided.
Propagation
White aerial roots develop on the stems as they grow upwards. When the stems have a good development of these aerial roots, sections of stem can then be taken as stem cuttings roots can be left on such cuttings, but be gentle with handling the roots when potting up.
Propagation of taller climbing cultivars can be easy: just remove a section of healthy growth with some aerial roots still attached.
Cultivars
Species
V. bensoni tolerates much higher temperatures than many others, yellowish fragrant flowers with a white to rose-purple lip. It has strap leaves.
V. coerulea (Blue Orchid) is one of the most spectacular vibrant blue flowering forms. It has leathery strap-like leaves, and stems climbing to 80 cm (32 inches) tall. Flowers are light to dark blue with often purplish markings. It is often difficult to grow. This species needs strong light particularly if temperatures and humidity are lower. Some varieties tolerate temperatures as low as 8oC in winter.
V. denisoniana grows naturally at average temperatures 20°C -25°C. It has a white flower. It produces large strap leaves to 30 cm (12 inches) or longer.
V. hookeriana has terete foliage and can grow to 2 metres (6.6 feet) tall. Flowers are mainly purple. This species can be difficult to cultivate and less vigorous than some other species. It needs more water and humidity than some, and in mild climates may require heating all year; but it can flower continuously if grown well.
V. sanderiana has variable pink and brown flowers. It requires minimum night temperatures of 15oC, but grows better at warmer temperatures. Leaves are large, strap shaped and leathery.
V. teres (terete vanda) has terete leaves. It requires more light than most other Vandas; almost full sun is ideal. It also needs a period of dryish weather to stimulate flowering (so it does not flower well in continually humid tropical conditions). The flowers are rose to white or pale orange.
V. tricolor is a very cold (but not frost) tolerant, strap-leaved type of Vanda. Its flowers are white and maroon, with some parts spotted. There are various named cultivars with colour variations.
V. watsonnii requires conditions similar to Odontoglossums. Its flowers are white with fringed lip.
Hybrids
Many Hybrids have been heavily based on V. sanderiana and V. coerulea.
New Terete Hybrid Vandas - these have been produced from mainly terete species, sometimes crossed with non-terete forms. Common parents of this group include V, hookeriana, V. tricuspidata and V. teres.
V. ‘Miss Joaquim’ is a hybrid of V. teres X V. hookeriana. It has large pink flowers with some orange in the centre, and is probably the most commonly grown Vanda in Malaysia. In the Malaysian climate it can grow to around 1 metre (3.3 feet) tall in full sun and it is very free flowering.
Vandanthe - Vanda sanderiana was renamed Euanthe sanderiana in 1914. As such Vanda hybrids with this plant as a parent are known as "Vandanthe".
Vandanthe rothschildiana (i.e. Vanda coerulea X Euanthe sanderiana) develops orange-red
spotted flowers.
Vandaenopsis - these are hybrids of Vanda and Phalaenopsis.
Aranda - hybrids with Arachnis & Vanda.
Hybrids between Vanda and Rhynchostylis or Renanthera are also grown.
Plant Health
Thrip can be a problem, attacking flowers & flower buds - routine spraying may be necessary.
More info
Vandas are closely related genera include: Phalaenopsis, Doritis, Aranda, & Ascocendra.
There are approximately 60 species of these climbing epiphytes from tropical Asia.
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