vanda in vase? help! - Orchid Board

grlhiggins · #1 03-01-2009, 01:44 PM

I have a vanda that has been severely neglected. Oversun, over dry and am trying to rescue. I have seen on other posts that you can leave on windowsill in a large clear vase.

see pics. it is in vase as of this am, but do i put water at the bottom? It also has alot of black spotting on leaves.

thoughts and advice are appreciated.

10010100102 · #2 03-01-2009, 04:22 PM

I have personally never tried vase culture, but I've done a bit of research and here's what I've found:

->Growing Vanda's in a vase helps the plant because of increased humidity at the roots
->Don't let water sit in the bottom of the vase, or the roots will rot
->Every day or two, take the plant out of its vase and dunk the roots in water (you can also fill up the vase with water, let it sit for 30min and then dump it out)
->Don't put the vase itsself in full sun, or you will cook the roots

A picture of this black spotting on the leaves would certainly help with identifying your problem, but if it was given too much sun, then my guess is it's sunburn. If that's what it is, then there's not much you can do but give it a bit more shade and the plant should recover on its own.

Hope this helps and best of luck.

nenella · #3 03-01-2009, 05:59 PM

I agree with all that Joseph has said above.
I soak mine every day for anywhere between 30mins and..and an hour. If I accidentaly forget it for a few hours then I do not water the next day. I have noticed that it has been growing 'better' ( the roots are much thicker, and it is constantly forming new leaves since I leave it soaking in water & feed until the roots go dark green.
I suppose it all depends on your conditions (humidity)
keep us posted!

mojomick · #4 03-02-2009, 08:28 AM

I am concerned about the spotting on the leaves. I'm not sure about sunburn. Is the spotting on all the leaves or just one? That would make a difference.

rogerman · #5 03-02-2009, 09:07 AM

I have had a few plants that have been badly spotted like that. I it NOT sunburn and for me it comes clear with a bit of fungicide. I find I get that problem more if I mist the plants rather than putting the full hose on them.

I also notice it in many nurseries that have a fine sprinkler system rather than a coarser one.

If it was sunburn you'd have brown leaves

grlhiggins · #6 03-02-2009, 09:13 AM

i have physan 20, how do i apply to leaves to remove fungus. the spots do not wipe off. do i wipe leaves with physan at full strenght?

rogerman · #7 03-02-2009, 09:18 AM

I just mix my fungicide according to whats on the packet and spray it on

Ray · #8 03-02-2009, 11:03 AM

Personally, I think that in your growing conditions, a basket with coarse charcoal would be more appropriate than a vase, as you likely have plenty of humidity.

Water it daily in the morning, and keep it in semi-shade for a while, then transition it back to brighter conditions.

That also does not look like a fungal issue to me (too dry, and too much sun, maybe some mechanical insect damage), but if you wish, use the Physan at about 1 teaspoon per gallon.

AaronM · #9 03-03-2009, 01:10 AM

Check out the post "Operation Vanda Rescue" in the Vanda forum for just about all the info you could possibly need about Vanda recovery. Also you can try a basket full of epiweb chunks instead of charcoal. It seems to be working wonders for holding the moisture level up for a slightly longer period of time after watering. You can also jam some slow release fertilizer pellets into the sponge-like openings for easier long term care.

Aaron "Thinks Vandas Are A Pain" M