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Gardening

The terete Vanda

Arno King

Arno King

July 26, 2012

Terete Vandas are a group of orchids renowned for their ease of culture in tropical and warm subtropical gardens. Rather than needing coddling in protected shade houses, these orchids thrive in the full summer sun with plenty of air circulation and do particularly well where warm, wet, humid summers are the norm. 

Vanda teres – one of the parents of many famous orchid hybrids

I’ve just got back from the annual Queensland Garden Expo at Nambour. Of course I bought more plants than I budgeted on, but most are in the ground, and with more rain and a little bit of care this will be money well invested. This year I purchased many more terete Vanda plants. Previous purchases have done particularly well in a sheltered, sunny north-eastern facing location in my garden.

Plants flower all year round however I generally get a large flush of flowers over winter and spring months each year. The flowers are large and long lasting and don’t seem to get as readily spotted by rain as many other orchid flowers. Plants are in full flower now. This always seems strange to me – plants I associate with tropical climes at there best at the coldest time of the year.

Vanda Miss Joaquim ‘Agnes’, a stunning addition to a warm climate garden

It pays to keep a look for damage by dendrobium beetle, the only serious pest of these plants. Chewed flower and buds are an indication of their presence. Look out for a small orange and black beetle. Place a hand or container under where they are active. When disturbed they drop down. With practice you can readily catch and destroy them. I find them an infrequent problem – most frequently occurring in spring and early summer.

I am growing my plants on 1.2 m (4 foot) high, 50 by 25mm (2 by 1 inch) hardwood stakes. The stakes are cheap and readily available at my local produce store and seem to last a good decade or so in the garden. I place them in groups at about 600 mm (2 feet) apart. They make for strange ‘art installations’ in the garden. It is a simple matter to hammer a few stakes in the ground. Surround the stakes with a deep layer of bark mulch and then bury the base of the orchid stem in the mulch and tie the orchid firmly to the stake.

Vanda Miss Joaquim ‘Agnes’ mass planted in the Singapore Botanical Gardens

Terete Vandas like to climb. Terete refers to the 50 – 70mm pencil–like leaves which grow alternately up the stems. Plants flower best when the stems grow above the support and start to wave in the wind, then the plant seems to stop focusing on climbing upwards, and instead starts to produce racemes of flowers from each node.

Vanda Miss Joaquim ‘Agnes’ the national flower of Singapore

I spend a few weeks each year working in Singapore, where I am based in the world famous Singapore Botanic Gardens. Vanda ‘Miss Joaquim’, the most famous of the terete Vandas is the national flower of Singapore and much planted in the gardens and around Singapore. The plantings in Singapore have been an inspiration to me and certainly are a great attraction to tourists.

Terete Vandas used to be a lot more commonly planted in Queensland. I can remember seeing them planted in many inner city gardens around Brisbane. Sadly these gardens have been subdivided or ‘landscaped’ and many of the garden treasures have been deposited at the tip. You can still find Vandas in many north Queensland gardens, but they are also less common than they once used to be.

Plants require little maintenance, but flourish and flower profusely with some added care. This includes watering during dry periods, and providing regular dilute fertilising over the warmer months when the temperature is between 25 and 32 degrees. Diluted manures and organic fertilisers have traditionally been used on these orchids with great success. I also use seaweed, particularly in autumn and winter to boost the plants’ resistance to cold. Shelter from cold, dry winter and spring winds is also important.

Vanda Miss Joaquim ‘Agnes’ flowers most freely when the canes move in the wind

There are many terete Vandas. Technically, these plants now belong to the genus Papilanthe, however this name is seldom used by gardeners. The most readily available plant is P. Miss Joaquim ‘Agnes’. It was a natural hybrid of Papilanthe hookeriana and P. teres, which was found in the garden of Miss Agnes Joaquim in 1893. This orchid is said to have been the catalyst for the multimillion dollar Asian orchid industry. Another favourite is P. ‘Poepoe’ Diana’ (P. teres ‘Alba’ x P. cooperi) which is a free flowering pure white orchid. The popular 1951 remake, Papilanthe Miss Joaquim ‘Rosemarie’ (P. teres ‘Alba’ x hookeriana), by C A Chevalier of Java is also frequently grown. Papilanthe ‘Amy’ (P. tricuspidata x P. hookeriana) is another popular hybrid. There are a few other terete hybrids and species around, but you will have to search to find them.

One of the many semi-terete Vanda Hybrids

Another group of related plants are the semi-terete Vandas. These are crosses between the standard strap leaved Vandas and the terete Vandas. These plants seem to need a little more shade and protection but also make great garden plants in warm climates.

All these orchids are readily grown from cuttings. Lengths of 400mm (1 and ¼ feet) or more taken over the warmer months establish rapidly. Keep a look out, you may find a friend who has some established plants that need a pruning and tidying.

There are few other orchids which provide such a rewarding show of flowers for a minimum of time and care. These plants will certainly add a touch of the exotic to any warm climate garden.

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eva aruafu
eva aruafu
11 years ago

Can you tell me the vanda terete which bears yellow and orange flowers

Arno King
Arno King
11 years ago
Reply to  eva aruafu

Hello Eva

I’m not sure which one it is. Most of the terete Vandas have pink, mauve and white flowers, so I suspect it might be a semi-terete hybrid. Can you send in a photo for ID?
Arno

Doreen Elliott
Doreen Elliott
4 years ago

I am selling the last of our collection of Vanda Semi-Terete Orchids and Vanda Miss Joaquim and Vanda Diana. If anyone interested my contact is 0402404117.

Doreen Elliott
Doreen Elliott
10 years ago

Hi Arno

My husband and I grow teretes and semi-teretes here in Brisbane.
I do sell cuttings of Vanda Miss Joaquim and Vanda Poepoe and they are doing just fine here in Brisbane.
You are more than welcome to come and visit our gardens.

If you know of anyone interested in purchasing cuttings please tell them to contact me.

Thanks
Doreen

brennie
brennie
7 years ago
Reply to  Doreen Elliott

Hello Arno and Doreen
If you are able to help me to obtain some cuttings of these orchids I would be very appreciative.
I enjoy reading your articles and am envious of your employment in Singapore surrounded by all those lovely blooms.
Cheers
Bren

Doreen
6 years ago
Reply to  brennie

Hi Brennie and anyone interested to purchase Teretes and Semi teretes. I am selling my husband’s private collection.
You can contact me at anytime.

Bruno Silavant
Bruno Silavant
9 years ago

Hi Arno,
I live in Mauritius , a tropical island in the indian ocean , i have been growing vanda miss Joachim for years with out any problem . But i notice that now all the bottom leaves fall off and sometimes the upper leaves are spotted even if i make new cuttings every year. What should i do. So says it is a problem of mites or may be a deficiency in fertilizer. Is phostrogen fertiliser good for these vandas?
Thanks
bruno

Florian Wolf
7 years ago

Hi Arno and all,

A lovely article on a very interesting group of orchids – the terete / semi-terete / quar-terete Vandas; hugely popular in Asia, but a bit talked down by us Westerners in favour of the dinner-plate sized strap-leafed Vanda sanderiana hybrids. While the colourful “platters” do look gorgeous their shape & form needs to be impeccable to really look good, and they also need more humidity than their more succulent-looking cousins.

However, within the range of Vanda teres-derived hybrids even crumbly flowers look attractive; they are a fast-growing, colourful bunch of Asian beauties that are easy to propagate by cuttings, and readily enjoyable. The secret to success is to start with flowering-size plants, a very loose & rot-proof substrate, don’t overfeed them, and water with soft, dechlorinated water, ie rain water. Be patient, give them lots of sun, and in time you will be rewarded with truly beautiful flowers.

Cheers, Florian

Arno
Arno
7 years ago
Reply to  Florian Wolf

Hello Florian

great to hear from another terete Vanda fan.

Plants in my garden have been stunning this winter and put on a spectacular show. I have been a bit more regular with my fertilising this year and this seems to have helped.

Arno

Trevor O''Hara
Trevor O''Hara
7 years ago
Reply to  Arno

Hello Arno . Happy New Year 2017!
A query . what sort of potting mix should Vandas be grown in?
Should the bottom part of the stem be below the potting mix?
I live in Perth W.Aust.
Thank you . Trevor

kalaivani
kalaivani
6 years ago
Reply to  Trevor O''Hara

Even i want to know how to pot a terete vanda orchids.. Any help

Shal Dooge
Shal Dooge
6 years ago
Reply to  Trevor O''Hara

Very slow growing. I live in Hawaii and I have the terete orchid growing in a small basket. I need to know if I should pot it and should I use orchid bark or cinders? Or should I leave the roots exposed in a cement pot?

Shaila Shenoy
Shaila Shenoy
7 years ago

Very informative and beautifully written. Thank you.

josianne tribie
josianne tribie
7 years ago

Nice article
I bought a terete and I was wondering if I can put it in a pot and how to make seedlings. Thank you !!!

Arno King
Arno King
6 years ago

Hello Josianne
I’m glad you enjoyed the article. Yes you can grow your plant in a pot, using an orchid potting media for Vanda orchids. You will need a hardwood sake so the your plant can attach itself to it and have some support.
Good luck with your plant.
Arno

Janette H Campbell
Janette H Campbell
2 years ago

Love the comments and questions, especially since most of them are from the far side of the globe. I live in south Florida and have reworked the teretes I inherited when we moved onto my parents’ property. My dad had been so very proud of the ones he had but, in the interim, before we got everything settled, they had been neglected. I want to assure everyone that they are very easy to care for – full sun and keep them watered regularly. Cutting back the tops does no damage. I am not a skilled horticulturist but I was able to bring the planting area back to its full glory by using the trimmings to restake. I was even unaware of the need for fertilizer but after reading that suggestion, I may consider it. Now that I have mine like my dad had it, I have begun sharing cuttings with neighbors so that, after I am gone, there will still be some in the area.

Sandra Hart
Sandra Hart
10 years ago

I have a few Vanda Teretes but they aren’t doing too well,
I have them in stones and charcoal is that good?

Arno King
Arno King
10 years ago
Reply to  Sandra Hart

Hello Sandra
Vandas are often grown in stones and charcoal in tropical climates. However this material drains rapidly and holds little nutition. You will need to water your plants regularly during dry periods and also fertilise regularly. Vandas respond to dilute foliar fertilising and there is a wide range of liquid orchid fertilisers available. Remember it is best to fertilise ‘weekly and weakly’. I suggest mixing at 1/2 recommended strength and applying when the tips of the roots are green and actively growing.

Arno

Nicholas
Nicholas
10 years ago

HI Arno King – Where can I get a Terete Vanda Miss Joaquim Agnes
in Queensland Thanks

Trevor O'Hara
Trevor O'Hara
10 years ago
Reply to  Nicholas

Greetings for Perth WA
Hi Arno
Where can I get Vanda Miss Joachim [aka Singapore National Flower]
anywhere in Australia. I have a special attachment to this orchid
as I once grew them in Spore many years ago.
Thank you for your time.
Trevor

Arno King
Arno King
10 years ago
Reply to  Trevor O'Hara

Hello Nicholas and Trevor

I have purchased my plants each year at the Nambour Garden Show at the C and D (Hilders) stand. They bring down plants from Cairns each year.

I understand your frustration. Once it was a lot easier to find these Vandas, but it is a lot harder now. They are not available from your standard garden centre.

The other suggestions are to visit orchid society shows in your area or to find plants on the internet.

Good luck

Arno

Trevor
Trevor
10 years ago
Reply to  Arno King

Thank you for your reply Arno.
Kind regards ~ trevor

Paula Garcia
Paula Garcia
9 years ago

Dear Arno,

I live in Colombia (1,000 mt altitude). We have only rainy and sunny seasons. Almost three years ago I planted Vanda Terete in my garden and ever since I have not seen them bloom! Please help

Bruno Silavant
Bruno Silavant
9 years ago
Reply to  Paula Garcia

they must be in full sun, all year round

Arno
Arno
7 years ago
Reply to  Bruno Silavant

Yes, full sun is essential. I have also found that plants flower best when they move in the wind. Hence it is best to have supports no greater than 1.2m and allow the plants to grow up above the supports freely. When the stems start to bend, use them as cuttings and start some new plants in another area. The plants will branch and grow up above the post and soon flower again.

Plants also need regular fertilising with a liquid orchid fertiliser (not too high in nitrogen) during the warmer months.

Arno

Bob
Bob
6 years ago

I have repositioned my miss Joquim and Diana Terete Vanda orchids but into better sunlight as the other position only got morning sun.
I notice that all of these orchids do not seem all that healthy other than the Dianna. The growth on the canes seem to be pinkish in colour and seem to have dots on their stems as well.
I am growing plants on stakes in individual pots of bark and charcoal which is holding moisture.
Are these orchids going through a winter transformation or are they ready to die?

Arno King
Arno King
6 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Hello Bob
I also get these small black spots on some of my Vandas during the winter. It does not seem to affect the plants health or growth, and they do not seem to grow in size, so I am wondering if it is a nutritional issue.
Despite these spots, I find my plants grow better in the sun than in the shade.
Arno

Lee Poh Cheong
Lee Poh Cheong
4 years ago

I am from Malaysia . My vanda joachim is 8 to 10 feet tall n healthy , but no flowers ,these are grown against the wall and higher than the 6 feet wall.
Exposed to hot sun for 7 to 8 hours daily , please advise type of fertiliser to gain
First blooms. Thank you

don paluck
don paluck
3 years ago

I have terete vanda looks just like yours, mine has grown probably 11 foot tall, can I shorten in without killing it ?

aaronsharbel@gmail.com
aaronsharbel@gmail.com
3 years ago

hello do semi terete vandas and normal vanda require same care