How Long Do Vanda Orchids Typically Bloom?
Vandas (Vanda) can bloom for several months at a time. When conditions are ideal, a single vanda bloom can last from three weeks to two months. A individual vanda plant can bloom continuously for up to six months out of the year. Factors such as temperature, light, fertilizer and water quality directly impact how long vanda flowers remain open and continue to re-bloom, allowing growers to extend and maximize their blooming period.
More comprehensive information and care guidelines can be read here.
Factors Influencing the Duration of Vanda Blooms
Many factors influence how long vanda flowers remain open and whether plants continue re-blooming. Environmental conditions, the health of the orchid and cultural practices all play key roles.
Temperature has a significant impact. Vandas grow best at temperatures between 65 and 85°F. Temperatures below 60°F or above 90°F can shorten vanda bloom longevity.
Light exposure also affects vanda blooming. Vandas require moderate to high light levels and at least 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal blooming.
Nutrient availability , particularly nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels influence vanda flowering. Fertilizing provides essential nutrients to keep plants healthy and to elongate bloom cycles.
Water quality is crucial as vandas are especially sensitive to chlorine, fluorine and mineral content in water. Using rain, reverse osmosis or distilled water for watering and fertilizing can extend bloom duration.
In summary, prolonging and increasing vanda blooms comes down to:
- Providing ideal temperature between 65 to 85°F
- Supplying sufficient light for at least 5 to 6 hours/day
- Maintaining proper nutrient balance through fertilizing
- Using high water quality low in chlorine and minerals
Tips to Extend the Blooming Period of Vanda Orchids
There are several tricks growers can use to maximize and extend vanda blooms throughout the flowering season.
Providing optimal temperatures is key. While vandas bloom best between 65 to 85°F, growers can adjust nighttime temperatures to between 60 to 70°F during peak blooming to extend flower longevity.
Increasing humidity around the vanda flowers also helps. Using pebble trays, humidifiers or misting the plants can boost humidity to around 50-60% which vanda orchids prefer to keep flowers open longer.
Upping the frequency of fertilizer applications during blooming season is effective. Fertilizing every 7 to 10 days during peak bloom provides needed nutrients to support continuous flowering. Reducing fertilizer after flowers fade helps reset the plant.
Proper pruning and removing spent blooms promotes re-blooming. Removing faded flowers down to the next internode encourages the plant to produce new flowers on the same stem.
In summary, methods that extend and maximize vanda blooms include:
- Maintaining optimal temperature around 60 to 70°F at night
- Increasing humidity to 50-60% around flowers
- Fertilizing more frequently during blooming at 7 to 10 days
- Regularly pruning spent blooms down to next internode
- Using peat pots or mounts to improve aeration and drainage
The Spectacular Colors and Varieties of Vanda Blooms
With more than 150 species, vanda orchids display an impressive colour range and diversity of bloom shapes. Flowers can be white, yellow, orange, pink, red or various bi-colours.
The most common colours include:
- White: Vanda coerulea and hybrids like Vanda Taisuco White
- Yellow: Vanda luzonica and hybrids like Vanda Somsri
- Orange: Vanda sanderiana and hybrids like Vanda Oriental Treasure
- Pink: Vanda wrinkled and hybrids like Vanda Destiny
Bi-coloured varieties feature two distinct colours within the same flower, like:
- Red and white (Vanda M. Pearman)
- Pink and yellow (Vanda Manning’s Fragrance)
- Purple and yellow (Vanda Taisuco Jewel)
Bloom shape also differs across species:
- Most commonly, vanda flowers are strap-shaped like V. sanderiana
- Some varieties produce trumpet-shaped flowers like V. coerulea
- A few species have round blooms such as V. teres
With the increasing number of hybrids being developed, vanda colours and bloom forms are constantly increasing including:
- Bi-colours in Lime Green, Purple and Lavender shades
- New tricolor varieties
- Novel bloom shapes like sandwich, umbrella and waterfall form
The extraordinary diversity of vanda flowers in terms of colour, pattern and shape makes them a favourite among orchid growers and breeders.
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