If you are certain you want to grow vanda orchids, then you know it is not an easy job. These types of orchids need a little bit more orchid care compared to other genera. They are categorized among the larger types of orchids. They thrive in a warm and moist environment. They are well-known for their long and expansive roots that grow out of their containers.
Learning what to do and how to go about it will certainly raise your effectiveness in growing these kinds of orchids. So to further help you with this, here are 5 potting tips that vanda orchids will definitely love.
1. Choose The Best Potting Medium
The genus of vanda orchids are usually classified as epiphytes. This is why the best potting medium for these types of orchids is osmunda. Yes, there may be other types of mediums that experienced growers swear work better. But for new growers, osmunda takes away all the combination of different compost and just makes use of itself. It's the most effortless, cleanest and easiest to manage, and vandas grow drastically in this kind of medium.
Osmunda is packed with fiber and nutrients compared to other potting mediums. It does not breakdown quite as quickly as others and can last for up to two years without being changed. Although it is at first expensive, it is quite economical in the long run. Also because of its fibers it allows for good air circulation for the roots that all epiphytes love. Vanda orchids will just love osmunda in every way.
Before using osmunda, you have to soak it first overnight in a container full of water. Then the following morning leave it to dry in a cool and shaded place. That night it will be able to be molded and used. The osmunda has to be a bit moist but not overly wet. Then it's ready to be put in either a basket or a pot for your vandas.
2. Decide On The Best Home
Another sure way to make vanda orchids pleased is by choosing the right type of container for it. These kinds of orchids are best grown in containers that provide lots of air movement and drainage. Two types of containers that you definitely can't go wrong with are wooden baskets and clay pots.
Wooden baskets are typically hung, and vandas are well-liked for this. Because of expansive roots, they have been cultivated this way for years, which is commonly known as basket culture. Just be sure to provide adequate support for the baskets to avoid them breaking and falling down. An advantage of baskets is that they make orchids less vunerable to fungal and bacterial diseases.
Clay pots provide good protection against the heat and cold and can give orchids adequate ventilation they require. They come in all sorts of sizes and shapes, so there would definitely be a pot that is great for you and your orchids.
Before potting, it is important to clean the pot. Bacteria and insects might live inside causing harm to the plant. Soak it in water for a few minutes or so and you are ready to go. The size of the pot may vary depending on the size of your plant. Remember, though, that vandas have expansive roots just like any epiphytes, so it's a must not to suffocate them in tiny confined pots.
3. Provide Adequate Drainage and Air Ventilation
Although vanda orchids love moisture and humidity, one sure way to kill them is to over-water them. So it is important that your pot has suffuicient drainage. Baskets, because of their design, provide all the drainage you could want. But when it comes to regular pots, it is essential to have a plan.
After cleaning your pot, fill it with rocks or pebbles, about a third from the base will be sufficient. This will act as the drainage for the pot. This will also allow for good ventilation to these types of orchids, which is another requirement for keeping your vanda orchids happy.
Naturally, the roots of the vanda orchids soak up moisture and nutrients from the air. This is why it is essential to provide proper air circulation to their root systems.
4. Repot Them Only When Necessary
Of course after a couple of years with these beautiful orchids, they have to be replanted. Vandas are the type of orchids that grow into large plants. So if you see that they are no longer comfortable in their current home, repot them. This could be between every two to three years. Get a larger basket or pot to house its widespread roots. Eliminate any dead or rotten roots if you see some. Don't forget to use fresh compost.
Repotting them in an untimely manner can have severe consequences to these kinds of orchids. For example, the blooming cycle may be delayed or even stop completely. Be cautious and observant. It is always better to be patient and wait for the right time. The ideal time would be after blossoming and when new growth is beginning.
5. Feed Them
In order for your vanda orchids to grow and become as healthy as possible, one last step is to feed them with fertilizer. There are lots of kinds or plant food out there. Three of the most popular kinds for these types of orchids are manure water, commercial concentrates, and nutrient solution.
No matter what you select, be sure not to overdo it. The general rule is to feed them not more than once every month. And before each application the following month, remember to wash out the possible mineral deposit that may have built up. Also, make sure not to let the fertilizer touch the new bulbs and stems of the orchids because it can hurt them.
When you follow these 5 potting tips, your vanda orchids will be healthy and happy. Happy growing!
