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The Vanda Story
Vanda contains many species represented by large handsome plants and a wide variety of beauty in the flowers. By some growers considered difficult to cultivate, their beauty is well worth the trouble.
The plants are pseudobulb-less, the leaves distichous (dis-tik-ous), or disposed in two parallel lines along the heavy, erect stem. The tendency of the stem is to grow up toward the sun, as the surprised amateur finds when his plant reaches the roof and has no more room to grow. The lower leaves frequently drop off. Thick aerial roots form along the stem and, when smooth, green-tipped, and fat, indicate that the plant is progressing. When they become shriveled and ringed, something is drastically wrong with their culture.
In the showier species as this Vanda Tricolor the flowers are borne in loose racemes and have spreading sepals and petals; in others the petals are spread and tend to roll under. In the former type the texture of the flowers is papery but shines as though sprinkled with diamond dust. In the latter the texture is leathery or waxy and very heavy.
Vandas are best left to intermediate grower.
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