New Vanda with broken roots

[Rykaerdoe]

So I saw a few vandas in a florist a couple months ago. At the time I already had 2 phalaenopsis but was not yet ready to jump into a vanda.

I researched a bit, chose a window where I'm going to place her.

I called the florist, as she was the only place I ever saw one live, to know if she has any flowering vandas (I would prefer a flowering one, to be able to see the color and pattern of the flowers).

She did not have any but would received a few later that week.

The day came, I went there and she had only received 2 flowering vandas the day before, one of them had already the flower stem broken, and both where terribly dehydrated.

Maybe I shouldn't have, but I ended up bringing the only flowering one she had. While packaging the lady broke 2 big roots... (probably due to them so dry).

The newer leaves look ok, although she has suffered in the past (a few leaves on the left side were removed and had some old blemishes). She does had an healthy smaller keiki attached to her.

My question is, since the roots are so dehydrated, I assume I should water her as soon as possible. But since 2 roots broke, should I was a bit before watering (which is what I read is usually done).

I'll post photos later when able.

Thanks for the help!

[Roberta]

If the broken roots are still attached, they are quite capable of hydrating the plant. Typically, the part that is broken is the velamin, the spongy outer coating of the root, which can hold moisture. The small "stringy" part inside is actually the active part of the root.
If there are any roots, you should water - Vandas don't have storage structures like pseudobulbs, so they depend on regular moisture - water and humidity.

[Rykaerdoe]

Thanks a lot for the clarification. They are in fact still attached. I Have thoroughlty watered her now I feel a bit less stressed. I will keep a close eye on its evolution

[Roberta]

Also, leave the keiki attached. In the future, if it develops some good roots it could become a second separate plant, but even then, if it stays attached, the plant will benefit, and both parts are capable of blooming, making a better display. I think it is better to have one strong,large plant than two weak pieces.

[Rykaerdoe]

As promised the photos of the Vanda.

The roots are big but they do not seem to be in a good shape. At the moment I have just been watering it twice a day. I'll try to find a fertilizer to help her with the roots. Some roots are not gorging with the water and seem dead to me. I might need to trim them in the future, but i'll keep it like that for now. I'll research a bit more and when she looses her flower I'll trim the "dead" roots . Might ask for a bit of help then too

Thanks again for the help Roberta.


edit: added photo of one of the flower, because why not?