Vanda garayi
Vanda garayi | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Orchidaceae |
Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
Genus: | Vanda |
Species: | V. garayi
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Binomial name | |
Vanda garayi |
Vanda garayi, or Garay's ascocentrum,
Description
Vanda garayi is a small (rarely larger than 15 cm)[4] epiphytic orchid with numerous, long, thick, fleshy aerial roots[2] and a stout, erect stem with persistent, distichous leaf bases.[1] Its thick, straight, rigid leaves[5][4] are apically toothed, distichous, ligulate, and conduplicate[1] and often sprinkled with purple spots.[4][2] Golden orange flowers about 1.3 cm across[1] appear in compact, erect, conical 10–25 cm racemes[5][1] in late spring to early summer.[4] The narrow spur contains copious nectar and the flowers, like most species formerly classified as Ascocentrum, lack fragrance or nectar guides. A dark brown anther cap protects the pollinia.[6]
Two factors contribute to frequent mislabeling of Vanda garayi in cultivation. Firstly, following the publication Genera Orchidacearum volume 6 in 2014, all Ascocentrum species are included in the genus Vanda.
Distribution
Vanda garayi is found growing epiphytically on deciduous trees in warm to hot climates between sea level and 1000 meters[1] in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Sumatra, Thailand, Vietnam, and the foothills of the Himalayas.[3][8][1]
Cultivation
Vanda garayi has long been popular among orchid growers for its colorful blooms, small size, and ease of culture.[7][9] The species thrives in very bright light[1] and can tolerate full sun, developing purple anthocyanin spots in these conditions.[7][4] While abundant water is beneficial, it must be allowed to dry quickly.[7][2] Outdoors, it is often grown on wooden slats or in baskets[7][1] to allow rapid drying after heavy rains. Indoors, clay pots partially filled with bark, charcoal, or wood are ideal.[7] Strong and regular air movement mitigates soggy media.[9][2] Temperatures are best kept between 15 °C and 30 °C as growth slows or stops below 10 °C and above 34 °C.[7] Weekly to bi-weekly fertilizing is recommended with heavier feeding during the spring and summer.[2][7]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Pfahl, Jay (April 9, 2004). "Ascocentrum garayi". www.orchidspecies.com. Archived from the original on June 14, 2019. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Fuchs, Robert. "Ascocentrum". www.aos.org. Archived from the original on June 14, 2019. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
- ^ ISSN 1179-3163.
- ^ ISBN 9780897215060.
- ^ ISBN 9780881928761.
- PMID 21183455.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Motes, Martin (March 2011). "A Bright Exposure is Key to Successfully Flowering this Vanda Relative". Orchids, The Bulletin of the American Orchid Society. pp. 144, 145.
- ^ "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew". wcsp.science.kew.org. Archived from the original on June 14, 2019. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
- ^ ISBN 9781604698169.