Papilionanthe vandarum is native to Northeast India near Myanmar. In India, this orchid, which is one of the most chilling species of this genus, grows in the subtropical zone at heights of 1200-1700 m, in the states of Sikkim, Khasia Hills and Manipur...
Papilionanthe vandarum also called as The Vanda-Like Papilionanthe, Aerides cylindricum, Aerides vandarum, Vanda vandarum, is a species of the genus Papilionanthe. This species was described by Leslie Andrew Garay in 1974.
IDENTIFY PAPILIONANTHE VANDARUM
Papilionanthe vandarum is native to Northeast India near Myanmar. In India, this orchid, which is one of the most chilling species of this genus, grows in the subtropical zone at heights of 1200-1700 m, in the states of Sikkim, Khasia Hills and Manipur.
It is a large sized, cool growing, erect to pendant growing epiphyte that forms large masses of branching, hanging, flexuous stems carrying suberect, terete, acuminate, sulcate 13-18 cm long and 0.3 cm in diameter leaves with the leaf bases being longitudinally grooved.
The Vanda-Like Papilionanthe blooms in the spring with a 1 to 3 flowered, 30 cm long inflorescence arising from the stem in between the leaf bases and carries 1 to 4, fragrant flowers. The purely white or slightly pink flowers are about 2.5 cm in diameter across the wide-spread flakes of the inner whorl and lateral outer petals, and about 5 cm from the tip of the dorsolymus is the end of the spur, which extends down from the base of the lip. The flakes of both whorls are undulated, have the shape of teaspoons and a 3-spotted lip with straight side plots, the edges of which are serrated and unevenly cut. The bending middle section is broadly heart-shaped, has very wavy edges, a narrow isthmus at the base, and at the top is divided by a deep indentation in the middle of the apical margin into 2 separate plots. A spur at the base of the lip, which is directed downwards and curves forward, has a conical or funnel shape and is about 2 cm long.
PAPILIONANTHE VANDARUM CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Papilionanthe vandarum needs a light level of 35000-45000 lux. The level of light should be as high as possible so that the leaves do not get burned. A very high level of light seems to be necessary for these plants to bloom, but it does not have to be as high as required for more thermophilic species. Full sun is recommended for at least part of the day, but at midday it should be slightly shaded. If the plants are grown in more shady conditions, then adjusting them to a very high level of light should be done very slowly and carefully. Strong air movement should be ensured all the time.
Temperature:
The average temperature of the summer day is 24 ° C, the night 17-18 ° C, and the daily difference is 6-7 ° C. The average temperature of the winter day is 16-17 ° C, the night 4-7 ° C, and the daily difference 11-12 ° C.
Humidity:
The Vanda-Like Papilionanthe needs the average humidity in the summer and at the beginning of autumn of 80-85%, then at the end of autumn and at the beginning of winter it decreases to 75%, and at the end of winter and at the beginning of spring it drops to almost 50-55%.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Papilionanthe vandarum do not tolerate the soggy ground around the roots, which is why they are usually grown in hanging pots or wooden baskets filled with very loose, quickly drying ground. Narrow bands of tree ferns are usually inserted into the containers to support the climbing plant.
In a single container, plant a few plants, because then their twisted shoots will provide each other with support. These plants are sometimes grown in such a loose substrate as pieces of charcoal, wine corks or large pieces of bark of cork oak, so that they anchor and stabilize in such a medium. Large pieces of bark or large pieces of tree fern are often used, but you can simply fix the plant in an empty clay pot and allow the roots to stick to the pot. The roots should be allowed to grow and sag as they want and should not be trimmed for a nicer appearance.
Constant air movement around the roots is very important. The roots grow from nodes along the momentum, and the plants can be easily propagated by cutting off vertices. Repotting or dividing is best done when new roots begin to grow.
Watering:
Precipitation is very abundant from late spring through to autumn, but their amount then drops sharply and remains small for around 2-4 months in late autumn and winter. During active growth, the plants should be watered frequently and abundantly, but their roots must dry quickly after watering. During hot, dry weather, these plants can be misted or sprayed with water up to 4-5 times a day. At the end of autumn, the amount of water should be reduced.
Fertilizer:
1/4-1/2 doses of a balanced orchid fertilizer should be used weekly during active growth. You can use high-phosphoric fertilizer at the end of summer and autumn to achieve better flowering in the next season and allow new growth to strengthen before winter.
You can add composted horse manure to the substrate, and even add slowly dissolving fertilizer granules to the substrate. In the latter case, however, be careful, because if they dry completely between watering, they can release very large amounts of fertilizer that can damage the plant.
Rest period:
In winter, the amount of water supplied to Papilionanthe vandarum should be reduced. They should dry a little between watering, but they can not stay out of water for too long. Occasional fogging early in the morning between rare watering should provide enough moisture. Fertilization should be eliminated until spring, when more watering begins.
COMMENTS