Vanda coerulescens

Pcolman recently posted a very nice colored clone of this species, but stated that it had no discernible fragrance. This plant was a seedling from Motes Orchids. It fills the greenhouse with a sweet, grape-like fragrance.

 

They are kind of bizarre with the sideways spikes as it makes it seem like it’s stretching for light...mine are about 15 inches long.

 

Even in a greenhouse, it takes careful placement...Both so it can be seen and also so the spike doesn’t grow straight into another hanging basket. I have another one that I’m trying mounted on a slab, so maybe the presentation will be more pleasing.

 

Here is another clone I have of V. coerulescens. This one I imported from China about 5 years ago and very different from the one I posted earlier. It blooms 1-2 months later, has no fragrance and does have an upright spike. I find it more difficult to grow than the strain from Motes Orchids. This one has to be dry in the Winter or it rots, so it always gets a bit yellow and desiccated looking at about the time it’s blooming. I water regularly starting about now and it greens up and puts on new growth all Summer.