Papilionanda hybrids

The Vanda alliance is a group of closely related orchid genera that share similar growth habits, care requirements, and genetic compatibility for hybridisation. These orchids are native to tropical Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands, thriving in warm, humid climates with bright light. This alliance includes some of the most spectacular and popular orchids in cultivation such as Singapore’s national flower- Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim, the waling-waling (Vanda sanderiana), the second national flower of the Philippines, and the Blue Vanda- Vanda coerulea known for their striking flowers, robust aerial roots, and monopodial (upright) growth. Because of their close genetic relationships, members of the Vanda alliance are often hybridised with one another to combine desirable traits such as colour variety, fragrance, flower form, flower size, branching habit and compact size. This has resulted in thousands of hybrids widely used in orchid shows, tropical gardens, and floristry.

Papilionanda is a hybrid genus of orchids, created by crossing plants from the genera Papilionanthe and Vanda, combining the best qualities of both parents. They are not naturally occurring in the wild as they are man-made hybrids. These hybrids are known for blooming multiple times a year under optimal conditions. They thrive in bright, indirect light to full sun, prefer warm temperatures and high humidity, and require good air circulation- all of which are naturally present in Singapore’s climate.

Before being recently reclassified, members of the genus Papilionanthe were once a subgenus of Vanda species with terete (pencil-like) leaves, shown in the background of this photo. This photo shows Papilionanthe teres, the female parent of Singapore's National Flower, Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim. (Disclaimer: This plant is not currently being exhibited.)

Vanda hybrid exhibiting its strap-like foliage and long aerial roots. (Disclaimer: This is not exhibited.)

Depending on the influence of the parent species, the leaves of Papilionanda hybrids can range from terete (cylindrical and pencil-like, typical of Papilionanthe) to strap-like and broad (common in Vanda). The flowers are large, showy, and often fragrant, with vibrant colours such as orange, pink, yellow, or purple. One of the highly influential parents of many Papilionanda orchids is the result of a primary hybrid between Vanda insignis and Papilionanthe teres, i.e. Papilionanda Josephine van Brero, bred and flowered by Johannes van Brero of Bandung, Java in 1936.

Some of the hybrids of Papilionanda Josephine van Brero currently on display are:

Papilionanda Voices of Singapore Ladies Choir" is a cross between Papilionanda Josephine van Brero and Vanda Law Class of 1978, NUS. Flower is a rich ochre-yellow base, overlaid with orange tones and delicately blushed with fine red spots.

Papilionanda Singapore Orchid Growers' Assn is a cross between Papilionanda Josephine van Brero and Vanda Ratchaburi Fuchs-Katsura. The flowers are lavender pink, richly suffused with magenta and delicately spotted and veined with deeper magenta

Papilionanda Chua Chu Kang is a cross between Vanda Kultana Red × Papilionanda Josephine van Brero. This cross was selected by its breeder for its prolific blooming habit and brilliantly pink flowers with deeper pink spots.

While they're freshly in bloom, don’t miss the striking Papilionanda orchids gracing our Orchid Extravaganza display at the Flower Dome!

Written by: Ziana Yacob, Senior Manager (Research and Horticulture)

Ziana's fascination with the many wonders of plants led her to study Horticulture. She has been involved in propagating and nurturing in-house plant collections, with a special focus on orchids. Keeping plants thriving is both a rewarding challenge and a continuous journey of learning for her!