Singapore orchid

Singapore orchid Care

Vanda

Other names: Orchid Singapore, Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim

What is the plant

Vanda is a genus in the orchid family, Orchidaceae. There are about 80 species, and the genus is commonly cultivated for the marketplace. This genus and its allies are considered to be among the most specifically adapted of all orchids.

Vandas are in the Vandae tribe and Sarcanthinae subtribe of orchids. They are native to the East Asian tropics, ranging from Sri Lanka to China to the Philippines to Australia. Vandas are monopodial orchids, meaning they grow from a single stem with roots emerging from the bottom of the stem. Vandas' leaves are alternating, climbing the stem in a ladder-like progression. Older Vandas frequently branch and, if left undivided, the plants can grow into very large specimens. Vandas flower from spikes that emerge from the central stem and poke out between the leaves, and they are known for very large, robust roots that are difficult to contain in any sort of pot or container. Vandas are not beginner's orchids as they require certain elements that can be hard to deliver at home.

If you’ve recognized any mistakes feel free to notify us about it. This would help us to provide only the best-quality information.

Humidity

High

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

16°C - 16°C

Hardiness zone

11a - 13b

Difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
In periods of high temperatures, Vandas might need to be watered twice a day. When watering a Vanda, first soak the plant until the white or silvery roots turn color, then wait a few minutes before again saturating the plant. Overall, the plant should be under the spray for up to 8 minutes. Seriously dehydrated Vandas can be floated in a bucket of water (just put the whole plant in) for a while to rehydrate them.
Fertilizer
Vandas are heavy feeders, and well-fed plants bloom better. During the growing season, fertilize weekly with a liquid-based, weak fertilizer. Plants that are grown in plastic pots can be fertilized with controlled-release fertilizer pellets in addition to the liquid-based fertilizer.
Sunlight
Vandas require bright light but generally do not thrive in full sunlight. They can acclimate to full sun, but these plants are generally washed out and not as healthy as those grown under a light shade cloth to take the edge off strong sunlight.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

Ease your plant care routine with PlantIn's personalized system.

Soil
Vandas are occasionally grown in plastic pots with sphagnum moss and orchid media, but this is a far-from-ideal situation. Instead, most growers prefer to grow Vandas in slotted baskets, where their roots are free to dangle toward the ground, without any soil.
Temperature
Vandas are warm-house orchids that prefer temperatures above about 65°F. They can tolerate lower temperatures, but prolonged exposure to colder temperatures will have a profound effect on the plant's growth and flowering.
Container
The best way to grow vandas is in open baskets with no substrate.