Saturday, 25 October 2014

Vanda coerulea

Vanda coerulea Griff. ex Lindl. 1847 SECTION Longicalcarata

Common Name: The Blue Vanda or Autumn Lady's Tresses

Ancient healers used the juice of the flower was by as eye drops against glaucoma, cataract and blindness. Active ingredients of Vanda coerulea are also used by modern pharmaceuticals to fight against the visible signs of ageing skin.

Vanda coerulea is endangered and is in CITES II

Distribution & Occurrence:

Western Himalayas to Thailand@ elevations of 800 to 1700 Meters.

The Plant

A medium to large sized warm to cool growing epiphyte found in deciduous forest with distinct dry season. Leaf span and Leaf arrangement of Vanda coerulea are different compared to other vanda species.

Vanda coerulea has a very short leaf, that is more or less horizontal and the leaf bracts are more visible and higher than other vanda.

Flowers once year during early or late fall and flower lasts a few months

Cultural Requirements and Nutrition

Vanda coerulea can tolerate more cooler conditions than most of the strap-leaf vandas and will be quite comfortable under intermediate temperatures, Requires strong light and heavy feeding during growth phases.


Pest and Diseases

No specific pests or disease.

Hybrids

Heavily used as pollen parent and seed parent

Bloomed in October 2014

Tips to identify Wild Form of Vanda coerulea

·       Vanda coerulea flowers tend to be somewhat taller than wide and never round
·       Wild and pure forms of Vanda coerulea, petals twist upto 180 degrees and never flat
·       Leaf arrangement is more horizontal and the leaf span is shorter
·       Side lobs of the lip has a sharp hook structure pointing towards the flower and this hook structure disappears after one cross
·       When the flower open started out as almost white and gradually increase their color.
·       On removing pollen from mature flower, and the flower should turn to complete white less than 24 hr. Most hybrids tend to retain the blue color a lot longer and wouldn't drastically noticeable until third day or so










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