Vanda denisoniana

Vanda denisoniana Orchid: Exquisite Blooms with a Vanilla Scent

Native to the lush forests of Myanmar, Thailand, China, Laos, and Vietnam, the Vanda denisoniana orchid is a captivating and exotic addition to any collection. This large, clumping epiphyte thrives in diverse climates, from hot lowlands to cooler highlands. With its striking, recurved leaves and robust growth habit, it can reach heights of 30 cm, making it a standout in any orchid collection.

Key Features:

• Size and Structure: The Vanda denisoniana features lorate to ligulate, recurved leaves that are stiff, leathery, and distinctly split at the ends. Each leaf can grow up to 30 cm long and 2.5 cm wide.
• Blooms: In late winter and spring, this orchid blooms on a 15 cm long inflorescence, bearing 4 to 6 waxy, durable flowers. These flowers emit a delightful vanilla scent in the early evening and vary in color from ivory, cream, lemon-yellow, and golden-yellow to yellow-brown and copper.
• Flower Size: Each flower measures between 5-6.4 cm from the dorsal petal to the tip of the lip.

Cultivation Tips:

• Light:

  • Provide a light level of 30,000-40,000 lux.
  • Ensure moderately bright, diffused light, avoiding direct midday sun.
  • Maintain strong air movement around the plant.

• Temperature:

  • Summer: Daytime temperatures of 27-29°C and nighttime temperatures of 19-20°C, with a daily variation of 7-9°C.
  • Spring: Daytime temperatures of 31-32°C and nighttime temperatures of 17-19°C, with a daily variation of 9-15°C.
  • Winter: Daytime temperatures of 25-28°C and nighttime temperatures of 9-10°C, with a daily variation of 15-18°C.

• Humidity:

  • Maintain 80-85% humidity in summer.
  • Humidity can drop to 60-65% in late winter and early spring.

• Substrate and Growing Media:

  • Grow in hanging pots or slatted baskets filled with loose, coarse, quick-drying media.
  • Use a small amount of charcoal, wine corks, or large cork bark pieces to keep the plant in place until roots secure themselves.
  • Avoid cutting the roots; allow them to grow and hang freely to prevent developmental setbacks.
  • Ensure continuous, strong air movement around the roots.

• Watering:

  • Water abundantly during active growth, ensuring excellent drainage.
  • Reduce watering when new growths mature in late autumn.

• Fertilizer:

  • Fertilize weekly during active growth with 1/4-1/2 of the recommended orchid fertilizer dose.
  • Use sustainable fertilizer year-round or switch from nitrogen-enriched fertilizer in spring to mid-summer, to phosphorus-enriched fertilizer in late summer and autumn.

• Rest Period and Repotting:

  • During winter, reduce watering significantly but do not let the plant dry out completely.
  • Light morning misting every few days suffices, especially in high humidity.
  • Reduce or eliminate fertilization until new growth appears and spring watering resumes.

This is a near blooming size in a 4" pot, about 3+ years to bloom, grown from seed, limited!

Embrace the beauty and fragrance of the Vanda denisoniana orchid, and enjoy its captivating blooms and lush growth with these cultivation tips. This orchid not only enhances your collection but also brings a touch of exotic elegance to your environment.