Vanda Care tips

[SDschardt]

I am an Orchid newcomer....And in love. . I would like to try a VAnda but would like a Miniature variety. Can anyone point me to a mini Vanda grower and/or give a newbie some growing tips.

[Bulbopedilum]

First thing's first: What is the definition of "miniature"? I will be using the IOSPE's definition of miniature, which is "the length of the leaf and pseudobulb is smaller or equal to 6 inches".

Can't point you to a grower but most vandas get huge (I've seen 2 meters more) and I'm not sure if mini vandas are a thing (Except Vanda alpina but I think it's one of those rare almost-unobtainable orchids) but there are some mini Vanda-like orchids.

Some I can name from the top of my head are
Angraecum didieri
Ascocentrum miniatum
Neofinetia falcata

As for care tips, search them up on google for specific species. Most Vandas need more light than other orchids. They can be grown in pots, mounts, or even almost no media at all.

Good luck!

[Bunch_Of_Roots]

Motes Orchids has some mini vandas and hybrids. They also have monthly articles that shed a lot of good insights on growing these plants.

Generally, Vandas like to soaked, then completely dried before the next watering. If you use any medium, it must be very airy. So whatever medium you choose, make sure to follow those recommendations. I grow mine mostly in netpot with large bark and a little of sphagnum moss outdoor. Vase culture is also very popular. Do a google search and you will find plenty of posts.


Are you located in San Diego?

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

I would highly recommend Vanda fans buy either of the Martin Motes Vanda books. Vandas is out of print but available online. Florida Vanda Growing is available at the Motes Orchids Web site. As BOR mentioned above, on the Motes Web site, you can sign up for a monthly E-mail newsletter on growing.

Small to miniature Vanda hybrids are being made. Many have Neofinetia (Vanda) falcata and Ascocentrum species (now also changed to Vanda) in their ancestry. They can bloom in 3" / 7.5cm pots. A lot of names have been changed, but look up Ascocentrum, Ascofinetia, Darwinara and Vandafinetia. These are all now called Vanda.

[MrHappyRotter]

Originally Posted by Bulbopedilum

First thing's first: What is the definition of "miniature"? I will be using the IOSPE's definition of miniature, which is "the length of the leaf and pseudobulb is smaller or equal to 6 inches".

Can't point you to a grower but most vandas get huge (I've seen 2 meters more) and I'm not sure if mini vandas are a thing

Keep in mind that Neofinetia has been reclassified as Vanda along with some other genera like Christensonia. There are actually lots of small growing Vanda species (and therefore hybrids) available, and that goes doubly so if you include Vanda alliance intergeneric hybrids.

While it's true that many of the classic, standard hybrids and species get large, many modern breeders are incorporating smaller growing species into their breeding programs specifically to produce Vandas that are better suited to life outside of a greenhouse.