How to Grow Vanda Orchids

The vanda orchid is a very popular and beautiful flower known for its slow growth and frequent blooming. Vanda orchids are found almost everywhere in Asia, from the Pacific to the heart of India. In Sanskrit, the word "Vanda" actually means orchid. The colors of the flowers vary by species, with the range being anywhere from blue, purple, brown, and green. The most common type of vanda orchids have yellow flowers. Typical uses of vanda orchids include decorative arrangements for residences, funerals, or weddings.

How to grow Vanda orchids: Growth and blooming

Vanda orchids are monopodal and can only grow straight up instead of branching out. Because of this tendency, some type of support structure must be erected to keep them from falling over. This also makes them well-suited for indoor gardens because they grow quite slowly as they inch upward. Each growing season only brings a few new leaves to the vanda orchid. Despite their slow growth, vanda orchids actually bloom more often than other varieties of orchids. Most varieties of vandas will create a full bloom of flowers several times per year. The flowers generally last a few weeks, then die off while the orchid plant prepares for its next blooming phase.

How to grow Vanda orchids: Sunlight

Vanda orchids may not be the best choice for novice gardeners because they require a great deal of maintenance. Vandas need a lot of sun, but can be harmed by getting too much direct sunlight. It is often best to plant your vanda orchids in pots or other containers that can easily be moved in and out of the sun as needed. In the wild, you can often find vanda orchids growing on trees because of the shade they provide. Specialized formulations of garden soil can be purchased that are designed to give your vanda orchids exactly the nutrition they need.

How to grow Vanda orchids: Humidity

These orchids also need a high amount of humidity, making them difficult to grow outdoors in dry climates. In these areas, it is usually better to grow vanda orchids in an indoor garden. Indoor garden setups allow you to control the amount of humidity your plants receive. The easiest way to add humidity to your vanda orchids' growing environment is through the use of a humidifier. This ensures that the humidity in the indoor garden is always within the desired range. A less expensive method of giving your vanda orchids their needed humidity is to simply spray your garden with mist several times per day.