What are sun vandas?

[Maru777]

Hello everyone! I have a very dumb question, but I can’t seem to find a definition for this. A friend wants as a present a dark orange “sun vanda” but I have no idea what a sun vanda is. Everywhere I look vandas are split by the type of leaves they produce but I do not actually see a definition for sun vanda. Does she mean a vanda with terete leaves? What do you think? Sorry for my ignorance, I don’t have any vandas. Closest I came is renanthera red dragon and that’s just because I did not realize it was vandaceous until after I got it home. Thank you!

[Roberta]

I don't know what a "sun vanda" is either... IF it is orange, maybe it looks like sunshine. Or, the ones that have terete leaves (that have been given the separate genus Papilionanthe) tolerate (and maybe need) more sun than the strap-leaf types. But those usually aren't orange. There are some lovely floriferous Ascocendas with lots of orange or yellow or red flowers. (typically smaller than the "typical" Vandas, making them a lot easier to care for.)

[Dimples]

I’d imagine that since both of you can’t find anything specific about “sun vanda”, that it’s probably a term used colloquially to refer to the more sun loving vandas, if not to all vandas that fit the classic image in the mind of the average gardening consumer. The moniker sounds very much like something that would have popped up in the 60-80s in order to sell more plants during the various tropical/destination/beach/tiki themed phases of home decor.

[Roberta]

When I search for the term "sun vanda orchid", Google comes up with a bunch of Vanda pictures. "Sun Vanda Care" brings up general Vanda culture info. So I think it is a trade name... In searching for a Vanda (they all like sun) for your friend, you should consider your friend's conditions. Most Vandas like "hot and humid", and prefer to be bare-root. This makes them a challenge to grow in a non-tropical climate. Some are more forgiving than others. As I mentioned before, Ascocendas tend to be easier to maintain in a less-than-greenhouse situation. Smaller, more cold-tolerant, easier to grow in pots (with VERY good drainage... large bark or inorganic medium) to give the roots the humidity that they crave. Renantheras can also be more forgiving than the big Vandas, but they're not small and watering/humidity/air still creates an issue.

[Clawhammer]

Award Winning Blooming Size Sun Loving Vandas! — Motes Orchids

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by Maru777

Hello everyone! I have a very dumb question, but I can’t seem to find a definition for this. A friend wants as a present a dark orange “sun vanda” but I have no idea what a sun vanda is. Everywhere I look vandas are split by the type of leaves they produce but I do not actually see a definition for sun vanda. Does she mean a vanda with terete leaves? What do you think? Sorry for my ignorance, I don’t have any vandas. Closest I came is renanthera red dragon and that’s just because I did not realize it was vandaceous until after I got it home. Thank you!

Since the big guns here weren't Abe to find anything specific, what does your friend describe when talking about this? That may give a better lead.

[jcec1]

There are trademarked vandas named Sunanda. Maybe it's that?

[Maru777]

Thank you, everyone!!! I had a look at what she has and it seems like it’s just terete and intermediate leafed vandas so I think this is what she wants. Keeping them warm is not a problem here, keeping them from frying on the other hand… She has them outside so I think that was her worry, that they would live in this sun. So onwards to find her an orange one I still won’t buy one for myself though, I don’t think I’m at this level yet. They seem too high maintenance for someone who occasionally forgets to water plants. But they are spectacular for those who can keep them alive! Hers are breathtaking.

[estación seca]

Is she able to grow them in the sun? I tried terete Vandas outside here. I think our humidity is too low in the heat.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Is she able to grow them in the sun? I tried terete Vandas outside here. I think our humidity is too low in the heat.

I grow Papilionanthe (Vanda) teres in filtered sun, but that is because that location gets more frequent water than my full sun area.(Everything is a compromise, but it blooms) Papilionanthe pedunculata does get full sun (Cymbidium area), doesn't bloom very often, it does occasionally, grows but not well. But my humidity is a lot higher than ours. Both of these would grow and bloom better if they were warmer.