Care

Vandaceous orchids are warm, sun-loving orchids. In colder climates, they are usually grown outside in the summer and overwinter indoors; or in a greenhouse year round. Fortunately for Floridians, our orchids get to enjoy similar tropical climate as their origin climate.

Optimum temperatures should be 65F at night and up to 95F during the day. Cold spells below 50F can cause irreversible damage and possibly kill your orchids. If you’re unable to move your orchids indoors, watering with Epsom salt (1 Tablespoon per Gallon of water) a few days prior to the cold spell can help prevent cold damage.

Sufficient light is essential for proliferous blooms. Some species can take full sun while some need more shade. In comparison to common indoor Phalaenopsis orchids found at supermarkets, Vandas definitely need a brighter spot. As a general guideline: full morning sun, and dappled midday and afternoon sun. If you find a outdoor spot that is bright but cool for you eg. under a tree, you’ve found a great spot for your Vanda.

Your orchids will tell you by the color of their leaves if they require more sun. Medium green is ideal. Dark green means orchid needs a brighter spot. Be sure to slowly acclimatize your orchids to brighter light or they can get sunburn.

60-70% average humidity is ideal. While orchids enjoy high humidity, they do not like to be soggy all the time. Air circulation is imperative for healthy plants. 

Since vandas are not grown in potting media and do not have water storing organs, they will need more copious watering. Best practice is a daily morning drench, make sure all the roots are dripping wet and green. Dry roots are silvery white. The hotter and drier it is, the more frequently your orchids will need to be watered. If you’re hot and thirsty outdoors, so are your orchids. On those days, you can water a second time, albeit early enough in the day so they can dry out sufficiently before dark to prevent rot and fungus.

For larger collections or hands off watering, a sprinkler system on timer is recommended. Feel free to reach us for more information, we design orchidscapes. We will work with your landscaper to make your orchid wonderland come true.

Vandas are heavy feeders. Regular watering alone will not produce big beautiful flowers without proper feeding. A balanced (20-20-20) water soluble fertilizer should be applied weakly weekly. To help with blooming, use a high phosphorus (10-30-20) fertilizer on every 4th week. Dyna Gro and Better Gro have both grow and bloom series readily available at your local big box stores. You can fertilize using a dial style hose attachment sprayer or pump sprayers. Feed your orchids and be rewarded!

Do not fertilize with organic fertilizers because vandas are not grown in soil and will not be able to break down the fertilizer to usable nutrients. Organic fertilizers also bring about all sorts of nasties that could cause diseases, fungus and rot that we try so hard to prevent.

Most vandas are rare, endangered or extinct in the wild due to destruction of their natural habitat, and what’s left of them have to fend for themselves against diseases, fungus and nasty pests. In the comfort of your backyard, your orchids can get the best preventive care. ie OrchidAid. This is a concoction that treats and prevents bugs that damage the flowers, and fungus and diseases that kills the plant.

OrchidAid treats both topically and systemically and is for outdoor ornamental plants only. It is available to all our customers upon request.

Feel free to contact us about our OrchidAid program. Orchid feeding can also be added as part of OrchidAid for comprehensive care.

Prevention is easier than cure!