Vanda Propagation

Bring a spike of color to your garden, literally, with Vanda orchids. This orchid variety from the Philippines is known for its flower spikes that boast up to a dozen 4-inch-wide flowers that come in colors that include purple, green and white. The flowers are so vibrant, they're sometimes turned into flower garlands. If you wish to expand your current Vanda collection, you don't need to shell out money for new, mature Vanda orchids. Vanda propagation only requires Vanda cuttings, made easy thanks to the plant's tendency to grow cutting-friendly aerial roots.


Unlike some orchid species, which you propagate by splitting apart a root clump, Vanda orchids grow from a single stem. Instead, Vanda propagation only requires making a quick cutting of a tip of the plant that has aerial roots. When you review your existing Vanda, you'll notice white aerial roots emerging from a branch of the orchid plant, generally between sets of leaves. Using sharp pruning shears, cut off the tip of the plant just below where the roots emerge. You now have a transplant-ready, rooted cutting.

Pot and Substrate

Fill a gallon-sized plastic or clay pot -- plastic is better if you're trying to conserve water, as clay allows faster water evaporation -- with an orchid-friendly potting substrate, filling it to within an inch or two of the top. Never use potting soil, as that will kill your Vanda. Instead, choose soil-less material such as volcanic stone, charcoal, chopped bark or the various commercial mixtures labeled for orchid use.


Dig a hole in the middle of your newly filled pot. Make the hole large enough to accommodate the size of your Vanda cutting's aerial roots. Place the Vanda cutting into the hole and fill in the hole around it.


Your Vanda orchid plant will die if you overwater it. After planting your cutting, apply enough irrigation so that water drains out of the holes at the bottom of the pot. Then, wait for the potting substrate to dry out before watering again.


Fertilizer provides a nutrient boost to ensure optimal growth of your newly planted cutting. After planting, apply a 20-20-20 fertilizer labeled for orchid use.