Vanda sanderiana – the Queen – Rare Species

Vanda sanderiana, called Waling-Waling in the Philippines, is considered the Queen of Philippine Flowers. Vanda sanderiana is a large sized epiphytic orchid species boasting stout, erect inflorescences giving rise to 5-10 large flowers on a spike.

Native to Philippines, they grow most often on tree trunks, usually between 500m and sea level. This species has been over-collected and is considered rare in nature.

These are grown from seed so flower characteristics vary from plant to plant but mostly 2 tones pink and red. We are offering them in large blooming size, nice plant with 4" – 5" two-tone pink & maroon, red spotted flowers; blooms 2-3 times a year. These take many years to grow to this flowering size. Flowers last about 2-3 months and this plant can flower in spring and fall. A rarely seen Vanda! 

You can grow it in a 4" basket, bare root if you have high humidity and water them daily. Or you can plant it in a 6" baskets with moss or clay pot with extra large New Zealand bark. This will keep moisture around the roots so you don't have to water daily. 

There is an unusual story about how Frederick Sander's collector was in the Philippines looking for unusual plants to send back to Sander's nursery in St. Albans England. This collector had disembarked from his ship into a new area where there was a village near the shore, and the story goes that the people of the village weren't happy that a foreigner was in their midst. A headman stepped in and had the collector stay in a tree house overnight for his safety. During the night there was a violent earthquake and tsunami that destroyed the village. However, the collector remained safe in the tree house and when morning broke, there through the damaged roof of the tree house he could see dozens of a beautiful large flowered pink, brown and purple Vandas in flower. He collected some of these plants and had them sent back to St. Albans. Once it had flowered the plant was named after Sander. Sander was known as the Orchid King in Victorian England. He had nurseries in England and in Belgium.

Pot size: Large plant in 4" basket 
Fragrant: Yes
Color(s): 4.5" two-tone pink & maroon, with red spots
Bloom: Blooming size, previously bloomed
Bloom Season: Spring, Summer, Winter
Plant tall: 20"– 32" not including roots
Temperature: Intermediate-Warm 
Light Level: Medium-High light
Humidity: High (70%–80%)
Water: Keep moist and can be dry out a little between watering
Fertilizer: Heavy feeder. Often 2 - 3 times a week
Air circulation: medium