VandaThe aerial-root orchid
It lives high in the trees from India and Sri Lanka to northern Australia, anchoring itself with long aerial roots and living on morning dew and rain. It is one of the rarer orchids.
- Origin
- From India and Sri Lanka to northern Australia
- Availability
- All year round; mostly at specialist florists
- Flowering time
- 4–6 weeks
- Temperature
- 18–27°C
Position & light
Choose a bright spot, out of direct summer sun.
Feeding
Once a month, add orchid food to the soaking water.
Watering
Water twice a week in summer and once a week in winter: submerge the roots in a vase of water for about 30 minutes, then pour the water away or hang the plant back up.
Reblooming
After flowering the stem can be removed. Keep the plant somewhere cool (not below 15°C) for a few weeks, with water, food and light as usual.
Temperature
18–27°C.
Repotting
As it lives on aerial roots, it does not need repotting.
Care tips are general guidance. Apply them while observing your orchid’s surroundings and the moisture of its growing medium.