Vanda Tricolor – Characteristics and How to Care in 7 Steps

Vanda tricolor is one of the most famous species among vanda orchids.

It is native to Southeast Asia, found in the following countries:

• Laos
• Java
• Bali

This orchid can be found as an epiphyte, lithophyte, or terrestrial plant.

Keep reading to learn everything about this vanda species.

How to Care for Vanda Tricolor

Cultivating vanda tricolor is quite simple.

This orchid is very hardy.

To cultivate it, follow these 7 steps:

1. Temperature: It prefers warmer temperatures but is also very resistant to cold temperatures.
2. Light: High, it enjoys lots of light. If possible, expose it to direct sunlight a bit during winter.
3. Pot: It should be grown suspended; decorative pots are great options.
4. Potting mix: Like other vandas, it dislikes potting mixes, so avoid them.
5. Humidity: High, around 80% on hotter days and 65% on colder days.
6. Watering: Should be done frequently; check if the roots are grayish to know when to water.
7. Fertilizer: Fertilize it weekly with NPK 10-10-10 at 1/4 or 1/2 strength.

To encourage flowering, ensure a drop in temperature of 6 to 8ºC (10.8 to 14.4°F) at night.

And if you want to use potting mixes, choose ones that provide excellent root aeration.

Flowering

If you cultivate this orchid correctly, it will reward you with flowers between autumn and winter.

But that’s not all, it can bloom more than once a year.

Its flowers have a diameter of 5 to 7.5 centimeters (2 to 3 inches) and are found in stems averaging 35 centimeters (13.8 inches) in length.

The number of flowers can vary according to its variety.

• The type variety produces about 6 to 9 flowers.
• The suavis variety can produce up to 15 flowers.

In both cases, these fragrant flowers last around 30 days and can come in a variety of colors.

If you bought a vanda and it hasn’t bloomed yet, improve its care and check our article on how to care for orchids.

However, be aware that a vanda can take several years to produce its first bloom.

So, if your plant is still young, be patient.

Characteristics

These orchids were described in 1847 by John Lindley, a famous botanist.

Its name tricolor comes from Latin and means with three colors.

Vanda tricolor is considered large, as it can reach up to 2 meters (78.7 inches) in height, and its leaves measure between 35 to 45 centimeters (13.8 to 17.7 inches) in length.

Its growth type is monopodial, and it is divided into 2 varieties:

1. Type: Fewer flowers, mainly found in western Java.
2. Suavis: More flowers, can be found in central and eastern Java.

And one last curiosity is that it is widely used for hybridization.

Conclusion

This was the complete guide on vanda tricolor.

If you want to learn more about vandas, check out the article on blue vanda.

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