Vanda leaf turning yellow

[VeronicaUlloa]

I have this Vanda now for about two months. First, it suffered bulb blast (is that what it's called?) And lost all it's flowers and bulbs. They completely dried up.

Now, it's got this one yellow leaf from where the flower stem dried up. I'm worried that it'll spread even though it looks like it's just that one leaf.

Any help or advice would really help. Thank you.

[SouthPark]

Maybe need to provide some growing condition details - like environment - good air-circulation, good air-movement. General temperature around the plant. Has the plant been moved recently, watering schedule ----- and does this plant get any fertiliser solution every once in a while .... etc.

It appears to be growing with bare roots. It's a big plant. Maybe consider adding some scoria rock to the wood basket - to go in and around the roots. The scoria can at least absorb some water, and keep the roots moist for a longer amount of time - to get water into the plant.

[aliceinwl]

I’d look closely at the base of the yellowing leaf, if the stem looks okay, I think the plant is fine. If there was some physical trauma to the spike and associated leaf, this could be responsible for both the bud blast and leaf drop.

Bud blast and leaf drop can also be husbandry related so more info on growing conditions SouthPark referenced would help too. Vandas can be very happy bare root if conditions are right.

[SouthPark]

Excellent remarks Alice!

You brought up a very good suggestion about looking at the base of the leaf, and checking the stem.

That also reminded me of something. Earlier this year - I remember one of the leaves of my vanda's went yellow and dropped off - and the leaf wasn't one of the oldest ones. I think it was #4 (from the bottom - similar to the OP's leaf #8 from the bottom on the one side). I recall a thick aerial root was growing along the length of the vanda's leaf - along the top of the leaf. The root grew longer and longer. And surprisingly, that leaf went yellow, and then dropped off. The root is just fine, and the plant is just fine too. And the leaves and stem never get wet, as this plant grows under a balcony, and I never wet the leaves when I water. The root growing out of the stem (in my case, which might not be the same as the OP's situation) might have interfered with that leaf's growth process. No negative impact on the plant health on that occasion. But for the OP ----- it will be beneficial to check.

Totally agree about checking the base of the leaf.

[Orchidking]

I agree with Alice. There is a possibility that the flower spike got bent slightly during shipping. Vanda's can get infected anywhere where a cut is or water pools for a long time. Would be a shame if an infection took hold there but looks very early stages if it is. Unfortunately if it does spread into the stem of the plant it will kill off anything growing above it as it cuts off the supply to the roots.
Try to remove the dead leaf to see what is going on under neath it. Don't make any damage though - I've done that which just makes it much worse. There shouldn't be any damp mushy bits.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by VeronicaUlloa

I have this Vanda now for about two months. First, it suffered bulb blast (is that what it's called?) And lost all it's flowers and bulbs. They completely dried up.

Did this orchid have a flower spike and developing buds when you first acquired this orchid? What happens sometimes is that the change of environment and growing conditions can negatively impact whatever the processes are - that are involved in developing the spike and buds. Could be lighting conditions, temperature, and maybe some other factors - maybe - humidity, watering intake by roots etc.

Those kinds of things can disrupt the processes needed to form the spike - and maybe lead to loss of buds. This doesn't necessarily mean the orchid's own health is in danger. But making sure that the orchid is getting adequate water and other important things it needs to stay healthy and strong - in the new environment - is important.

[VeronicaUlloa]

Thank you all for the information. I have taken the leaf off and don't see any damages other than the dry flower spikes. I'm going to cut that lower too. The Vanda had new leaf growth at top and seems to be ok.

It was bought with two flower spikes and the first spike to get blasted and dry up was this one. Then the second Spike dried up and finally this leaf. I'm hoping this is all and it will start flourishing soon.

Also, you can see from the pictures that it gets lite light, not direct, and it's outside in the Miami humidity.

[SouthPark]

The plant looks just fine right now V.U.

Conditions look fine there too. Just make sure the air-circulation/air-movement there, and make sure the plant gets enough water into it. Keep an eye on the leaves. If you see shriveling - then it may mean requiring the roots be popped into media (like scoria or something), in order for the roots to get enough water into themselves, and then into the plant.

[VeronicaUlloa]

What a relief. Thank you. I was already thinking I had to revamp my entire setup. I'll keep an eye on this one and let you all know if there is any difference.

Thank you so much for your help!

[DirtyCoconuts]

looks like a nice setup area

i have all my vandas pretty much fully exposed ( to the elements, not the sun) and I am right up the road from you.

I have saved them from all sorts of bad circumstances and they are very hardy plants in our climate.

Id be super careful, as mentioned, about mushy parts....that is bad... the yellowing and leaf drop happens for various reasons and, while you should always investigate, with outdoor conditions, it is usually fine.

this is one of my vanda areas- this is the North side of the house so it gets full morning sun, shaded from 10-5 and then a little afternoon sun too. As you can see, all sorts of different shapes and leaf conditions.

several of these were recently moved bc they were unhappy with being inside for hurricane season

Other flowers by J Solo, on Flickr