Vanda keiki has mother root smothering it's crown - Orchid Board

canyon_md · #1 12-25-2021, 05:13 PM

I just got a vanda and it has a keiki, but a giant root from the mother is growing on top of the crown of the baby. I don't want to hurt the mother by cutting a good root, though she has lots of good roots, but her root is smothering the keiki exactly where it is growing from and it can't be moved... Thoughts? In nature it would take care of itself or die. I just don't know what to do. It's a big, beautiful root from the mother and the keiki has 4 leaves, almost as wide as the mother, with top ones pinched closed at the crown where the mother's root is.....

Roberta · #2 12-25-2021, 06:41 PM

First, Welcome!

That is a very healthy looking Vanda with wonderful roots, The plant is doing exactly what it should do... it will deal with roots and growths. Don't try to second-guess Mother Nature... "she" has been doing this for a long time, nothing is getting smothered. Your challendge will be to keep it hydrated, with sufficient light. But don't cut ANYTHING... it's a lovely plant.

canyon_md · #3 12-26-2021, 08:40 AM

Hi, Roberta,
Thank you so much for your response! Your answer was exactly as my instincts have been telling me the last three weeks (though with some worry in the back of my mind that has been growing). Just let mama and baby do their thing. I'm very careful when I water so that I don't get any close to the keiki's crown.
I will try to stop worrying about the keiki and will be curious how it will grow taller under that gorgeous root! It will be exciting to have a fuller looking plant with the two together.
Thank you for the welcome too! I am excited to finally have joined. I read posts from this site all the time. You all are awesome and I just love orchids! It's a great combination! Such a great site and group of people!!
I live on the northeast and the days are grey, but I try to keep lights on longer for my vanda friends. They are all perreiraara hybrids and I am hoping they are as tolerant to my area's light level as I read. I got them all from nurseries near me, so they were grown under similar conditions. I also have a central humidifier that goes on with the heat and their area reads 45-50% humidity.
How often to water is something I have heard mixed answers on. For my little Bangkok Sunset I was told to water every other day since it is winter and I have decent humidity (bottom leaves started to yellow when her roots were soaked 15 min every day -- she has not as great a root system), but for the Rapeepath (the one with the keiki) and the Tony Tan Keng Yam (also with gorgeous roots), I was told to water every day by the nursery I purchased them at. It's winter here.
Anyway, thank you so much! I am so grateful.
Sincerely, Marium

Roberta · #4 12-26-2021, 12:11 PM

Thanks for the good words!
Vandas, especially bare root ones, need a good bath daily. With your relatively low humidity (winter heating) even twice a day would not be too much. If you're concerned about water collecting in the crown you can just blot it up with a tissue. But definitely frequent water. There are others on the Board who grow Vandas indoors in the cold, dark latitudes... read through the Vanda Alliance - Other sub-forum for some ideas on how to manage them and make your life easier.

estación seca · #5 12-26-2021, 12:51 PM

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

canyon_md · #6 12-26-2021, 02:36 PM

Thank you for the great advice! And I will definitely have fun reading through the forum!

And thank you both so much for the welcome! 😊

Shadeflower · #7 12-27-2021, 01:32 AM

This would freak me out a little too but there is nothing that can be done without hurting the keiki or the root, that is a fact so leaving it alone is the best option.
What will help ease your mind is that the next leaf will grow over the root and the plant can flex a little too so it will probably bend a bit to the side and grow the next leaf over the root and it will carry on growing, the worst I can see happening is that one leaf gets snapped off the keiki long term as it grows but that would be years away and of no real concern.

Ps: I hope you have cat proofed it cause I swear that cat in the background is thinking " I wonder what this interesting new cat toy will taste like my owner has brought me. I will find out when she is out shopping"

canyon_md · #8 12-27-2021, 02:58 PM

Hi, Shadeflower,

That is so true about my cat. So true. >^..^<
So far it seems that I am hanging my vandacious friends high enough (at least I hope so!). My father-in-law made me some cages on our deep windowsills to keep my other friends safe from my mischievous cat. I'm fast running out of space in them though. Will have to think of some creative ideas.
Thanks for easing my mind about the root and keiki. I definitely do not want to hurt either.
Let's see how mother nature takes her course.