Vanda Orchids

Vanda pachara delight

The Vanda (genus) orchid is a rather wonderful and diverse orchid. Usually found growing in countries such as Thailand, India, The Philippines, Borneo, parts of the Himalayas, Java and may other countries of the east of Asia.

These orchids grow in many different situations, sometimes in the ground, or on rocks, but most commonly they attach themselves to other living things, for instance trees.

Orchids such as the Vanda could almost be called a parasite. In a similar way to the parasites we are more familiar with such as mites who need a host such a dog, the Vanda orchid needs a host which may well be the tree.

The Vanda orchid (shown here using a tree as a host) gains its energy using photosynthesis, which is the conversion of sunlight into oxygen and carbohydrates or more simply put, energy. The plant will get its moisture from the air or from the host it lives on. Quite cleverly the roots will form to attach itself to its host.

The leaf type of the Vanda orchid changes to its environment. There are some that are fleshy, some that are flat and others that are broad. The flowers too are many and varied, from single flowers to groupings of small flowers all together in a single cluster. The colorings are often vibrant with speckles on the blooms.

The Vanda orchid can be expected to flower regularly, often every few months, so it is a good starting point orchid for beginners to choose. Flowering may last as long as twenty-one days.

Vanda Miss Joaquim var. Agnes (left) is an interesting species of this genus. It was first discovered by a lady with the name Agnes Joaquim in 1893 in Singapore. This wonderful variety of orchid with paper like pale pink petals and a yellow orange center was selected as the national flower of Singapore in 1981. It has the ability to flower throughout the year showing great resilience which the people of Singapore felt matched their countries resolve very well.

Unfortunately as with many orchids the Vanda orchid or rather many of the species of Vanda orchid are endangered. This often has to do with the habitat they grow in being destroyed for many modern day reasons!

The growing of Vanda orchids at home is relatively easy to do.
You can look to use baskets or cork bark. This is one variety that loves the light, so find a well lit window to maximize the available light or try a greenhouse location.

Water well as it's in growing mode and don't let it get dry at any time of the year.

The Vanda orchid has to be one of the loveliest kinds of orchids, it's diversity is immense, choosing different species of the Vanda alone will provide many years of happy cultivation for you.