Acquiring a beautifully blooming Vanda orchid from a specialist retailer is no feat. The gardening challenge begins when the flowering period has ended after a few weeks. In order to keep the demanding flower queen blooming, proper care is important. These tips show how it works.
How do I make a Vanda orchid bloom?
To get a Vanda orchid to bloom, it needs lots of sunlight, a bright location and regular care. Dip the orchid in soft water for 20-30 minutes every 3 days, mist it daily and feed it with orchid fertilizer every 2 weeks.
Sunlight brings out the flowers
The main premise for a lavishly blooming Vanda orchid is a maximum yield of sunlight. Apart from the blazing midday sun, the royal flower beauty wants to stay in a bright and sunny location. For year-round indoor cultivation, a place on the south or west window sill is an option, where light shading is possible in direct sunlight.
To get an unwilling Vanda to bloom, staying on the sunny balcony is an advantage. Here the exotic flower enjoys fresh air and unfiltered sunlight, so it no longer keeps its blooms under wraps. It is important to note that the location is protected from pelting rain. In addition, the temperature minimum must not fall below 15 degrees Celsius.
With the right feel-good program to blossom – this is how it works
If your Vanda orchid finds the ideal location, you are already half way to the next flower. Now it's all about this care:
- Immerse in a bucket of soft water for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 days
- Spray daily with a gentle mist of lime-free water
- Add liquid orchid fertilizer (€7.00 on Amazon) to the submerged water every 2 weeks from March to September
Even though a vanda doesn't really take a winter break, it still puts its growth on the back burner. From October to February it is sufficient to dive the plant once or twice a week. Furthermore, the monthly administration of special liquid fertilizer for orchids covers the reduced nutrient requirements. Under the influence of dry heating air, daily spraying is still part of the care program.
Tip
If the jungle of aerial roots of a hanging vanda bothers you, simply place the orchid in a slatted teak basket. In order to be able to use the root strands better, they are soaked in lime-free water for 15 minutes. A few coarse pieces of pine bark create the necessary stability. Alternatively, place the orchid without any substrate in a glass vase filled with pebbles or colored hydrogel beads.