How to Grow Vanda Orchids and How They Differ from Ascocenda Orchids

Vanda orchids are widely distributed across Southeast Asia, Australia and some tropical island nations. Their flowers are beautiful and elegant, and they are not only grown as potted plants but also a favorite of florists for cut flower arrangements. So, what are the methods for growing Vanda orchids? What are the differences between Vanda orchids and Ascocenda orchids? Let's find out together!

1. Growth Habits of Vanda Orchids

Vanda orchids are afraid of cold but not of heat, and afraid of waterlogging but not of drought. Even a high temperature of 35 degrees in summer has little effect on their growth, and when cultivating them you do not need to use much planting medium. Many flower farms in Thailand grow Vanda orchids very extensively: they often nail wooden strips into small square frames, put in a few pieces of charcoal, broken bricks or coconut husk, and the plants can continue to grow. Some even use just a single nylon rope to tie up the plant and hang it in an orchid shed or under a tree, and with regular watering and fertilizer spraying it can still grow leaves and bloom, so growing Vanda orchids does not require much effort.

2. How to Grow Vanda Orchids

1. Choosing Pots and Medium

The roots of Vanda orchids are aerial roots, so any well-draining medium can be used, such as tree fern fiber, broken bricks, charcoal, coarse gravel and so on; whether used alone or mixed together, these are all good potting media.

2. Light and Temperature

Vanda orchids generally need fairly strong light. During the local high-temperature season, 40-50% shade netting is needed, while in winter no shading is required. Vanda orchids like a high-temperature environment, with the most suitable temperature being 20-30 degrees; even when the summer temperature is above 30 degrees there is no great harm.

3. Water and Fertilizer Management

In daily care, Vanda orchids must be given sufficient water and air humidity. In the rainy season, natural conditions are enough to maintain vigorous growth; in the dry season, artificial sprinkling is necessary to keep air humidity at around 80%. Vanda orchids need more fertilizer than other tropical orchids, so during the period of vigorous growth, diluted fertilizer can be applied once every 7-10 days. The best fertilizer has a nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium ratio of 10:10:5.

4. Repotting

Vanda orchids should not be repotted frequently. Unless they are attacked by pests or diseases, they need repotting only once every 3 years at least. If repotting is to be done, spring is a good time, as Vanda orchids are about to enter their vigorous growth period.

3. Differences Between Vanda Orchids and Ascocenda Orchids

Vanda orchids are typical epiphytic orchids. Their sepals are well developed, and the two lateral sepals are larger, making them the most eye-catching part of the whole flower, but the petals of Vanda orchids are relatively small and the lip is even smaller. The flower shapes of Vanda orchids are very diverse: some are recurved and twisted, while others are round and flat. Vanda orchids have a very long flowering period, and a single flower can even stay open for several weeks. Ascocenda orchids, by contrast, are relatively short plants, about only half the size of Vanda orchids. Their flower colors are brilliant, and there are Ascocenda varieties that bloom throughout the year, though most still concentrate in spring or in summer and autumn. The flower color variation of Ascocenda orchids is also very rich, with diverse colors.

The above is our summary of how to grow Vanda orchids. We hope it can help you!