Bright Red Vandas

[Moll]

Hello All --- I'm new to you forums so hope I'm in the right place.

I'm having a devil of a time trying to find/buy a bright Red vanda for my sister. She has the easy colors like purple/blue & pink but is lusting for a bright red. The reds I've seen are merely dark pink. Is there a bright red vanda available or am I chasing my tail? Thanks for any help you can offer....

Moll

[jcec1]

Almost a vanda - RENANSTYLIS BANGKOK BEAUTY - from Motes Orchids - I would thoroughly recommend this supplier for vandas - the owner is a vanda expert. They usually have a lot of stock, but were recently affected by the hurricane that hit Florida.

[PaphMadMan]

For true reds in the Vanda alliance your best bet is looking for Renanthera species and their hybrids (like Renanstylis Bangkok Beauty) with Vanda and others. Even then some will be more dark pink than true red. Arachnis, Rhynchosytlis and Ascocentrum species can also contribute to true red in Vanda hybrids. I'll try to get back with some specific suggestions

[Moll]

Hi Jcec1 --- I like your phrase, 'Almost a vanda'. That's exactly the problem I've faced in trying to find the 'big faced' vandas. Do they exist? Found bright red in Ascocendas and other hybrids but the big face eludes me. Thank you so much for directing me to RENANSTYLIS BANGKOK BEAUTY - from Motes Orchids. I'll peruse their site soon....

Moll

---------- Post added at 02:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:55 AM ----------

Thank you PAPHMADMAN for your advice in checking out Renanthera species and their hybrids. As I mentioned to jcec1 above, I'd really like to find the big faced type but that may not be possible. What you mention is so accurate that the orchid you buy may be more dark pink than a true fire engine red...
I do appreciate your response to my query....

Moll

[MattWoelfsen]

Referring back to Motes Orchids, a quick look and I found Vanda laksi. It is the closest fire engine red, big face flowered Vanda.

Vanda Laksi (SI082) — Motes Orchids

[DeaC]

RF Orchids may be of interest or The Orchid Mall - Everything in Orchids for the total package.

[estación seca]

There aren't any (of the original) Vanda species with fire-engine red flowers. This color comes from crossing with several other related genera, and plants previously included in other genera, but now lumped into Vanda. None of these genera has all three of bright red flowers, large flowers and wide, overlapping flower parts.

Realize even the current wide, overlapping flower petals came from many generations of crossing and selecting V. coerulea x V. sanderiana, and their progeny.

Former Ascocentrums (now also Vanda), which have very much smaller flowers, can have brilliant red flowers. Their progeny have smaller flowers than most of the big Vandas you seek, but do have the rounded outline. If you don't insist on an enormous flower, this may be your best bet. The Vanda Laksi mentioned above (which would previously have been called Ascocenda Laksi) will not have huge flowers, and they will not be fire engine red.

Renantheras have brilliant red flowers, which can be quite large. They have narrower flower segments than many Vanda hybrids, which they pass on to progeny. They have very many more flowers, however, and produce a spectacular show - if the grower has enough space.

So, as of now, you can have two out of three characteristics - flower size, brilliant red color, rounded flower outline.

[Moll]

Dear MattWoelfsen --- Thanks so much for your link to vanda Laksi. If the color in the photo is accurate, then, she's a keeper....

Moll

---------- Post added at 01:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:16 AM ----------

Wow estación seca, I really appreciate your lengthy and knowledgeable break down of the Vanda species. It will help me a lot in my quest and I can't thank you enough for the time you put into your response....

Moll

[Fairorchids]

Word of caution concerning 'big faced' Vandas.

Most of the Vanda hybrids with very large flowers have 70-75% Vanda sanderiana in their family tree.
Vanda sanderiana is a slow grower, and it requires VERY high light levels.

While sanderiana produces very large and flat flowers, typically these plans are difficult to bloom in the northern US (unless you have a greenhouse, and can put plants outside in June-Sept).

[Moll]

Thanks Kim for your word of caution concerning 'big faced' Vandas. As I am a neophyte in the realm of Vandas, I value your input...

Moll