New Vanda Orchid[first time] :)

[Metzadag]

Hi guys, I would really appreciate your help with a Vanda orchid I just purchased in Miami about a week ago and took it on the flight with me to my flat in New York. I don’t know if Vanda orchids are suitable for the New York climate cause I haven’t seen them in flower shops around, but I wanted to give it a try due their beauty and the fact that the are hybrid. Right now I’m pretty worried about the condition of the orchid. I don’t know if I am underwater it or overwatering. The leaves seems wilt and the flowers are less stable than they intially were. I read online about this type of orchid and understood that I need to cut the brown roots and so I did. Hiwevery, I mistakenly cut too much and now I don’t know if I left enough roots - such a rookie mistake!. I would appreciate any recommendations and help you can give me with respect to humidity level, watering, sunlight, fertilizing and so forth. Please bear in mind that I am in New York so I know that in some places it’s customary to water those plants every day but I don’t know if I should do the same. In addition, I’m having this orchid hanged.please see the pictures, thank you so much!

[Ray]

That might be a challenge for a NYC apartment, as vandas like heat, humidity, and strong light.

Unless they are truly dead, I never cut roots, and from that one photo, I'm not sure any were...

Being bare root in a basket, you must recognize that the only water it can get is during the time you are actually watering it, so that's going to need to be watered at least once a day. Setting the roots in a bucket for 15-30 minutes will enhance the uptake.

If you have just cut the roots, I'd let the ends air dry for a day or two before a soak.

I wouldn't fertilize it quite yet, but I'd definitely give it a couple of doses of Kelpak (1 tablespoon/gallon) to kick-start its recovery.

[Metzadag]

Thank you so much for your detailed reply! I’m a little bit confused regarding the Kelpak I should purchase and from where. I searched it online for 20 minutes and got even more confused lol. Can you maybe send me a link or a picture of the bottle? In addition, do you think I can use it also to enhance growth with my hydrangeas?

Thank you so much again for your assistance!

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board.

Even in perfect climates bare root Vandas require water at least once a day, twice on hot days, and even when you're on vacation. They also require very high light intensity, difficult to provide with natural light as far north as you are.

[jcec1]

I think the light intensity requirements will be fine. I grow and successfully bloom vandas with no supplemental lighting at 56N with 1216 hours of annual sunshine. Compared to NYC 41N and 2500 annual hours of sunshine.