How long does crown rot take to set in?

[Bulbofett]

I'm beyond words right now at the loss of my one and only vanda. I literally only had the thing for 2 weeks. When I bought it, it didn't seem the pinnacle of health, but the vendor assured me that it was in good health. It just got a little crumpled in transport to the show. I purchased it despite it looking a little funky and figured I'd cut the bloom spike it had as soon as I got home.

Cut the spike with sterile tools upon arrival home, and set the orchid outside in the shade. It has been in the same spot since I bought it. It is mounted to a piece of cedar basket. I was only watering the roots. Then came the leaf drop. This past week it has been dropping leaves one right after the other. Today it dropped 2 more and I decided to peel it back a bit to see if I could see anything, and the top part broke off

It happened so fast it seems! Is that really all it takes? a week to 2 weeks? I have dealt with rot before but it has never been this quick to wipe out a plant. I'm wondering if it is because its a seedling. I've emailed the vendor to see about getting another one because it was the most beautiful vanda I've seen.

[NYCorchidman]

I think it was already sick when you bought it.
This kind of rot progresses quite fast and kill a plant in matter of just days, but in the initial stage, it may look like nothing especially a plant like Vandas where you can't really see what's going on deep inside the crevices of leaves. By the time the leaves start coming off like you describe, the "trunk" of the plant must have been sick for a while.

Oh, well..

[Bulbofett]

I appreciate your insight NYC. I had a feeling when I bought it that it was ill which is why I cut the beautiful flowers off. It is actually funny because I circled around the show 3 times before the flowers just suckered me into buying it. Upon first inspection I wasn't going to get it. I also asked if he had any others, but this was the only one he had brought.

I was hoping it was just a small issue that could be fixed with a snip of the spike. Unfortunately, it only declined while I had it.

I hope the vendor will accomodate me in some way, but I'm not expecting much.

[NYCorchidman]

Yep, you always want to follow the first thought. The later ones are usually self-persuation. lol

I always prefer to start with the healthiest possible plants. Things can only go wrong, so why not?
I do not buy plants if I have any suspicions or feel uncomfortable for certain reasons.

You had yours.

Well, if you tell the vendor now after three weeks that your plant has rotted out, I don't think it's fair since it is a living thing. or vendors usually won't respond well and I thing it is understandable.

Let this be a lesson for future shopping.
Only buy if you are sure and have good feelings about the plants you are buying.

[MattWoelfsen]

Your assessment and advice are on target.

Sorry you had such a bad experience with this Vanda. If the top part of the Vanda rotted it might have salvaged itself by growing a keiki further down the stem. But this looks like it died at the base of the plant.?

I hope you get another Vanda.

[Bulbofett]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Yep, you always want to follow the first thought. The later ones are usually self-persuation. lol

I always prefer to start with the healthiest possible plants. Things can only go wrong, so why not?
I do not buy plants if I have any suspicions or feel uncomfortable for certain reasons.

You had yours.

Well, if you tell the vendor now after three weeks that your plant has rotted out, I don't think it's fair since it is a living thing. or vendors usually won't respond well and I thing it is understandable.

Let this be a lesson for future shopping.
Only buy if you are sure and have good feelings about the plants you are buying.

Yeah, I wrote a very well mannered e-mail despite such a heavy feeling of disappointment. It was my fault for getting suckered in by flowers. I just hope I can find something close to it in the future. I'm not big on Vandas, so for me to purchase one is kind of a big deal.

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Your assessment and advice are on target.

Sorry you had such a bad experience with this Vanda. If the top part of the Vanda rotted it might have salvaged itself by growing a keiki further down the stem. But this looks like it died at the base of the plant.?

I hope you get another Vanda.

Unfortunately it was rotted at the base. I doubt it had enough energy to make a keiki since it was a seedling itself. If I could get a vanda that looks exactly like this one I would get it right now, but I'm guessing it will take me a long time to add another to my collection as I don't come across many vandas that catch my attention.

Thanks for all your advice guys!

[NYCorchidman]

Post a picture of flowers. I'm curious.

[Bulbofett]

Here she is. Hope I come across something like this in the future :/

[judith_arquette]

Gorgeous flowers. So sorry for your loss. I just lost one recently too that has me pretty bummed.

[Bulbofett]

Originally Posted by judith_arquette

Gorgeous flowers. So sorry for your loss. I just lost one recently too that has me pretty bummed.

Oh no! Which one of yours?