re the same and very open, attenuated at the base. The petals are of the same shape as the sepals, the labellum is a spur, trilobed and of variable shape from species to species.
They are plants that grow continuously throughout the year and love the light. In fact, they need a large amount of light and if the conditions are optimal, they can flower up to three times a year with blooms that last several weeks.
The Vanda they prefer to be raised on suspended wooden baskets and with not too much soil between the roots and the basket and with constant humidity and fertilizations throughout the year.
Most of the Vanda loves direct sunlight and some can tolerate it all day long. In particular, the tubular-leaved Vandas prefer direct sunlight more and for a longer time than the ribbon-like Vandas.
There Vanda it can produce, usually from the main stem, lateral shoots that develop into new seedlings that will emit roots and develop independently from the mother plant (commonly called keiki) which, once grown, can be detached from the mother plant and raised independently.
The orchids Vanda they lend themselves very well to the crossings not only between the different species of the same genus but also with similar genera and this has allowed to create a great quantity of hybrids with the most varied shapes and colors.
Hybrids obtained from crosses between Vanda x Ascocentrum (fami (diorchid family that groups about a dozen epiphytic orchids originating from India, Nepal and Taiwan, similar in appearance to the Vanda, but with much smaller dimensions and less extreme cultivation requirements). The hybrids obtained are calledAscocenda, and have flowers similar to the Vanda but retain the size and cultivation needs of theAscocentrum which are very limited.
TEMPERATURE AND VENTILATION
As a general principle, almost all species of Vanda they are warm greenhouses ie high temperatures and a lot of humidity.
The thermal limits are therefore temperatures between 28-30 ° C in summer and 20-25 ° C at night; in winter 15-18 ° C during the day and 12-14 ° C at night. They do not tolerate lower temperatures for a long time. Under these conditions they grow continuously throughout the year.
Considering the high temperatures the Vanda they need excellent ventilation to avoid damage to the leaves due to excessive heat.
(For more information on temperature and ventilation see the article: «Temperature and ventilation of orchids»).
There Vanda it is an orchid that needs a lot of light. The needs are different depending on whether it is Vandawith ribbon-like leaves or Vanda with cylindrical leaves Vanda cylindrical or semi-cylindrical in shape are those that more than any other need light, they have to stay in the sun all day. Vice versa the Vanda ribbon-like leaves require direct sunlight for a few hours in the morning, but not during peak hours. They can therefore live in a greenhouse or indoors if their need for light is respected.
The main reason for the non-flowering of these plants is the lack of light.
(For more information on light, see the article: «Orchid needs for light»).
WATERING AND HUMIDITY
TheVanda they require considerable humidity and frequent watering. If they are raised in suspended baskets, watering must be daily in the spring - summer period. During other times of the year, water more moderately to keep the roots moist.
It is a good idea to always water in the early hours of the day, to allow the leaves to dry when the evening arrives.
They need frequent nebulizations, with water at room temperature and possibly not calcareous. We keep in mind that the optimal humidity for this orchid is around 80%. Therefore it should be nebulized daily if not even twice a day.
(For more information on watering see the article: «Watering and humidity of orchids»).
There Vanda it must be fertilized with generosity. Once a week during the period of greatest growth, ie in spring - summer while during the other periods of the year once every two weeks.For this plant that blooms, fertilizers with a higher nitrogen titre that would inhibit floweri