Vanda sumatrana

Also known as: The Sumatran Vanda in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

General Information

The Sumatran Vanda is a monopodial warm to hot growing epiphytic free-flowering orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae.

Plant Description

Monopodial. Grows to 250cm. Each new growth has numerous leathery thick, arching leaves that grow to 3-45cm long

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear readily

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant. The fragrance can be described as strong

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Sand

Care Notes

These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 91mm to 259mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 78% to 83%, highest in October and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 17C to 27C, highest in April (18C to 27C) and lowest in January (17C to 24C).

Watering

These orchids gather most of their water from their aerial roots, which should be sprayed regularly or kept in a humid environment; roots exposed to dry air that receive no water will die back. On that same note, roots that are inside a pot surrounded by media may also die back, with new roots growing from the stem away from the pot.

If outdoors, a misting system aimed at the roots that turns on regularly will help them grow, otherwise if indoors placing the roots inside a vase or pot with no media along with regular spraying should give them the moisture they need.

Fertiliser

Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

Potting

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,

This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots