How do Vandas grow in the wild??

[rosemadder]

I see a lot of photos of Vandas just dangling in space, stems totally vertical, roots hanging straight down, suspended in a little basket or on wires. It looks a bit weird to me, and I can't quite picture how that is supposed to work in the wild. Many of the plants are improbably tall and need support-- I mean, is a 4' tall vanda really going to be able to stand straight up on a tree branch??

I haven't had any luck finding photos of their natural growth habits in the wild. Do they dangle sideways like phals? Upside down? Do they climb? (Do they wobble to and fro? Can you tie them in a knot, can you tie them in a bow? Can you throw em o'er your shoulder like a continental soldier... ahem!) Inquiring minds must know!!

[Bud]

here are pictures of Vandas in situ:

one growing on a large rock

one growing on tree branch

*some grow Vandas in baskets hanging swaying in the wind and some just attached to a wire hanger whatever makes it happy and healthy to bloom in your grow zone and environment (I live in a Manhattan apartment and I can bloom Vandas and Mokaras)....

[lambelkip]

there are a variety of different growth habits. many of them do climb. others hang down, some grow straight up, but stay fairly short, and form new growths around the base. There are some that grow straight up from a branch, and lean against whatever vines or other supports they find. There are even some that grow straight up until they can no longer support their own weight, then break off and fall to the forest floor where they usually rot.

It's also important to note that Vandas in cultivation (even species Vandas) are selectively bred to take forms that work well in cultivation, but are totally improbable in the wild.

[CR7cristiano]

Most Vandas originate from the Asian tropics; Indonesia, Southeast Asia, India, southern China, and even Australia and they grow high up on trees in most instances. Some do grow by streams and a few do grow on rocks. Most are epiphytes meaning aerial roots which grow very long and attach the vanda to its support, which in most instances are tall trees. Believe it or not the roots of vandas are very strong and more than able to support massive plants; keep in mind that roots don't just grow from the base of the plant but all up and along the stem. The older the plant the further up along the stem it will have thick roots that will also attach to its support. If you have ever tried to remove a well established and older vanda from a mount or tree you will know exactly what i'm talking about. And even more so in the wild than in human care the roots of Vandas are very thick; they absorb a lot of moisture from the tree bark and nutrients from bird poo and other excrement's that get washed down the tree bark by heavy rainfall.
Note that not all its roots grab on to its support, some actually do hang loose in the air; and these roots absorb moisture in the air from early morning dew and when humidity is high. Vandas have developed very efficient roots covered by velamen to do so. So when you see them hanging in baskets this suits them just fine as long as there is humidity and you provide water & nutrients.
Boom! Knowledge imparted!

[rosemadder]

Yay! Information! Thanks guys, that's awesome. Very interesting pictures.

Okay, roots up along the stem makes more sense, gotcha.

I know the ones in baskets and such are happy, it just looks a bit peculiar to me.

(I have 2 of mine dangling on little trellises wrapped in moss, and a neo in S/H)

[CR7cristiano]

Originally Posted by rosemadder

Yay! Information! Thanks guys, that's awesome. Very interesting pictures.

Okay, roots up along the stem makes more sense, gotcha.

I know the ones in baskets and such are happy, it just looks a bit peculiar to me.

(I have 2 of mine dangling on little trellises wrapped in moss, and a neo in S/H)

You're most welcome!
Neo's, namely Neofinitia Falcata originate in korea, China, & Japan and thus can manage colder climates and are suited to such weather as well.

[lambelkip]

Vanda coerulea, and other species from the edges of the Himalayas can handle a bit of cold, too.

Vanda coerulea in snow by Tomas Kubicek, on Flickr

I think San Francisco is warm enough for most Vanda species. You just need to protect them from excessive sunlight, and keep the humidity high enough for them.

[CR7cristiano]

Yea I didn't mention Coerulea cuz I didn't see her mention having it.
But Coerulea does like cool to intermediate climates and can manage/survive spells below 40 degrees. Not that you would want to mimic that at all. lol
During that point its in its dormant stage too. This is why we can usually get it to bloom twice a year or more in captivity.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Here's something not many beginners to Vandas know about them...

If you buy a single stalked Vanda, it will eventually grow a bunch of fans on that one growth and branch.

Btw, yes, the way they're grown in a basket is very peculiar.

As was mentioned, many of the roots are attached to their support. Only a few roots are really left dangling.

[CR7cristiano]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Here's something not many beginners to Vandas know about them...

If you buy a single stalked Vanda, it will eventually grow a bunch of fans on that one growth and branch.

Can you elaborate?! not sure i understood that. Sounds interesting though.