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Vanda is a genus of colorful orchids in the family Orchidaceae, comprising about 50 species. It is the Sanskrit name given to the orchids of Bengal. Vanda species are distributed from Himalayas and southern China, downwards to Sri Lanka and India, across Southeast Asia to New Guinea and northeastern Australia. Vanda are very popular orchids and have been extensively hybridized among themselves and with other genera to produce exceptional beauty offsprings. Vanda is one of the most important genera of plants for cut-flower production in Thailand and Singapore.
Vanda consists of three distinct groups which are distinguished by the appearance of the leaves, such as the strap-leaf, the terete, and the semi-terete. The strap-leaf Vanda produces leaves that are flat, while the terete Vanda have leaves that are cylindrical or pencil-like. The semi-terete Vanda have leaves that are a cross between a strap-leaf Vanda and a terete Vanda.
Most species are epiphytic, while some of them are lithophytic or terrestrial. Vanda species have a monopodial growth habit, with stems that are varied in size, some have long, sturdy stems while some plants are miniature. Each stem has 2 rows of deeply channeled, fairly short, strap-like leaves. The leaves are highly variable according to habitat. Some produce closely spaced, strap-shaped leaves, while others have cylindrical (terete), fleshy leaves that are adapted to dry periods. Larger plants may branch at the base, and have numerous, thick, cord-like roots.
The flowers appear from the stem at the base of the leaf, and come in a range of colors and forms. The color can be ranged from white, yellow, cream, orange, red, mauve, violet, blue, green and intermediate hues. Some have solid colors, some are mottled or spotted. The sepals and petals are usually of equal size and round. The lip has three lobes and a spur. Some species have a much-reduced lip; and some have a large lobed lip. Species with particularly long-lasting blooms are grown as cut flowers. In the tropical regions, Vandas are blooming throughout the year. Vandas usually bloom every few months and the flowers last for two to three weeks.
