Vanda vietnamica
This used to be the only species in the monotypic genus Christensonia, but has recently been transferred to Vanda. It comes, not surprisingly, from Vietnam and grows at low elevations. It is a small species by Vanda standards and has much more in common with species such as V. cristata and V. pumila, both of which also used to belong in a different genus. Vanda vietnamica is an upright, monopodial, leathery-leaved species that enjoys hot, humid conditions. I have my plant in a pot containing coarse bark chips and it seems to have adapted to this rather well, sending out new roots and new foliage, as well as inflorescences. Although it tends to be a solitary, unbranched species, I am lucky enough to have a keiki emerging from the bottom of my plant, I am undecided as to whether it should be removed once it has its own root system or be allowed to grow on to produce a bushier plant.
Inflorescences emerge from the upper unflowered nodes and have up to five flowers each. Multiple inflorescences can be produced at a time, and the plant may bloom several times a year. Individual flowers are quite delicate and attractive, despite just being green and white. I haven’t detected a scent, though some sources report that it does have a delicate fragrance.
This species is behind many of the miniature hybrids that are currently coming onto the market, and it certainly seems to be influential, passing on its robustness, as well as its small size, to the next generation.
