Vanda input, please - Orchid Board

VickiC · #1 08-13-2008, 11:40 AM

Hi,
I bought a Vanda a few months ago, but have not seen any new growth on it until fairly recently, and now that there is, I don't know what I'm looking at. lol Since I've had very little experience with Orchids, I have not seen how they grow. I assume this new growth is a root, but it's growing out of the side. Is that the way they grow sometimes, or is it something else other than a root? I have enclosed pics, so will you please let me know.
Thanks,
Vicki

Oops...I forgot something else I had planned to ask: Does the old growth that was already there when I bought the plant look as it should...is this healthy growth?

Swamper · #2 08-13-2008, 11:51 AM

Hi Vicky. It looks very healthy. The new growth is another root and yes its normal. The older roots look white which is fine also. Water them often, in the morning, wait fifteen minutes and water them again. You will see them turn green. I'd water them again the same way around 3pm. They like more sun then your other orchids, specially that morning sun.

VickiC · #3 08-13-2008, 12:20 PM

Thank you, Swamper! Now I know what's going on with my Vanda.

By the way, I've not heard from you lately (aside from joke forwards)....I hope all is well and that you've been having a good time "swamping" these days. Tell your orchid family hi for me.

Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamper

Hi Vicky. It looks very healthy. The new growth is another root and yes its normal. The older roots look white which is fine also. Water them often, in the morning, wait fifteen minutes and water them again. You will see them turn green. I'd water them again the same way around 3pm. They like more sun then your other orchids, specially that morning sun.

cb977 · #4 08-13-2008, 12:22 PM

That's a nice big fat healthy root!

Always water vandas until the white part of the root becomes translucent and you can see the green beneath it.
Sometimes it takes more than once to get to that point but they will only hold a certain amount of water which is why Swamper's advice about going back 15 minutes later is right on target

Swamper · #5 08-13-2008, 12:35 PM

Vicky too hot for me to go swamping. Ill be back in Sept or maybe even in Oct. I love it but not that much. Since I work 6 days of the week I would rather do something else on my day off. Like work on my orchids and sip lemonade. The pergola is coming along great and the chid family is awesome. I don't see you on Windows live messenger anymore. Gotta get you back on so we can chat.

Grandma M · #6 08-13-2008, 06:06 PM

Vicki, that looks like one happy vanda. I love all those wild looking roots.

Marilyn

VickiC · #7 08-13-2008, 06:19 PM

Well Marilyn, since Oak Hill Gardens actually grew all those nice roots, I can't take any credit. Now when this growth I was asking about appeared, I was clueless....had no idea what it was. lol Anyway, I hope I can keep the Vanda happy. It won't be long before our Alabama Autumn/Fall/Winter is upon us.
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandma M

Vicki, that looks like one happy vanda. I love all those wild looking roots.

Marilyn