Vanda coerulea (in bloom) - Orchid Board

Bud · #1 11-22-2011, 05:32 PM

Presenting: Vanda coerulea, commonly known as Blue Vanda or Autumn Lady's Tresses, is a species of orchid endemic to Assam and neighbouring Khasi hills with its range extending to China (southern Yunnan). It is known as Bhatou phul in Assamese, Kwaklei in Manipuri, October in Mizo and Vandaar in Sanskrit. It has bluish purple flowers (no orchid has true blue flowers) which has a longer bloom-lifespan compared to other orchids.
The juice of the flower is used by ancient healers as eye drops against glaucoma, cataract and blindness. Active ingredients of Vanda coerulea is also used by modern pharmaceuticals to fight against the visible signs of ageing skin .
This is an early bloom because it bloomed for me last spring (species usually bloom only once a year but I guess I got lucky for this plant will bloom for me twice this season)
This plant is cold hardy and can withstand below 45F for a short period...it drinks and feeds a lot during summers and can slowly adapt to direct sunlight from sunrise to 10am on my fire escape and then shaded by the tall Manhattan buildings til dusk...it stays in a tall big glass vase (18inches tall) in winters...and likes to have its roots hang free out on the hot and humid Manhattan summers...

WhiteRabbit · #2 11-22-2011, 06:33 PM

Wow - fabulous! Good growing!

Bud · #3 11-22-2011, 06:40 PM

Thank You, Sonya !

Gage · #4 11-22-2011, 06:46 PM

Wow, Bud! Great show! The color is beautiful, and the form exceptional. you took some great shots too.

Bud · #5 11-22-2011, 06:55 PM

Thank You, Gage...I am really happy for this orchid...and even if the blooms were not yet all fully opened I just have to present them to you all...I am very proud of this plant.

stefpix · #6 11-22-2011, 08:20 PM

Looks great. DO you give it additional light in the winter? I got a seedling last year from Oak Hill. It is growing but it is not the fastest ( Vandaceous in general seem a bit on the slow side.) I found that direct sun was a bit too much and had a couple of dry burn spots. How large was it when you got it?

Stefano

FairyInTheFlowers · #7 11-22-2011, 08:31 PM

WOW!!!

tucker85 · #8 11-22-2011, 08:37 PM

Wow! That's a wonderful vanda. Great pictures also. Good growing.

#9 11-22-2011, 08:47 PM

It is just gorgeous!!!

Bud · #10 11-22-2011, 10:30 PM

Thank You, Cody !
Thank You, Tucker !
Thank You, Orchideya !

@Stefano, I ordered this on the catalog which arrived to me blooming size from the 28th street Flowershop between 7th and 8th avenues...summer of 2009. This has bloomed twice before and I think it is about to give me a basal keiki too. This plant is 6 yrs old this coming June.
*no noonday sun...daybreak to 10am only and the remaining day it must be shaded bright light...you are right it will burn its leaves if subjected to 11am to 3pm sun
*I dont know but it seems brighter on my window in the wintertime; I never used additional electric light...I just windex my glass window twice a year