Vanda Pakchong Blue with yellowing/dimpling/splitting leaves - Orchid Board

wangzang · #1 01-03-2009, 09:12 PM

I bought this Vanda when I was in Hawaii recently. I had it shipped to my house in Redwood City, CA.

It was in bloom when I bought it, and when it arrived. However, the flowers started to shrivel soon after. From what I understand, the blooms could have stayed on for a lot longer. The lower leaves also appear to be yellowing slowly, and the upper leaves don't look happy either. They're both splitting, and they look sort of dimpled.

I'm not sure exactly which of the possible problems could be the culprit. The humidity in my house is currently around 30% which I think is too low. I'm considering doing the "sphag-n-bag" trick to try and improve this. As of yesterday, I'm watering it by dunking it in the sink and letting it sit for a few minutes. Since I'm betting it's simply thirsty, I've started doing this each morning. I had been misting it a couple times a day, which, according to what I've been reading, has been worthless. :[

I've posted the pictures here:

Picasa Web Albums - wangzang - Vanda Pakcho...

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

-Karl

rogerman · #2 01-03-2009, 09:19 PM

I personally wouldn't worry too much about the lower leaves yellowing off..... Mine do that too. Vandas LOOOOOOOOOOVE the sun and water. Maybe the change in climate has a lot to do with it. Give it sun and moisture and see how it goes.

dounoharm · #3 01-03-2009, 09:26 PM

its not unusual for flowers to 'blast' or shrivel and drop off when you get a new plant....the change of climate from hawaii to ca is enuf to throw any plant into shock! i think once your plant gets acclamated to the new climate you will be fine....just keep throwing the water to it! vandas are thirsty!

wangzang · #4 01-03-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogerman

I personally wouldn't worry too much about the lower leaves yellowing off..... Mine do that too. Vandas LOOOOOOOOOOVE the sun and water. Maybe the change in climate has a lot to do with it. Give it sun and moisture and see how it goes.

But do they get that dimpled look and split? That's what I'm mostly worried about. The leaves simply look unhappy. Also, since I've had it, I've accidentally broken off some of the roots. You can see in the pictures where some of them have cracks too. :[

Quote:

Originally Posted by dounoharm

its not unusual for flowers to 'blast' or shrivel and drop off when you get a new plant....the change of climate from hawaii to ca is enuf to throw any plant into shock! i think once your plant gets acclamated to the new climate you will be fine....just keep throwing the water to it! vandas are thirsty!

Do you think misting the roots a couple times a day in addition to a daily watering is helpful?

thanks for the info!

rogerman · #5 01-03-2009, 09:42 PM

Vandas love water..... Just don't keep them wet or they'll rot. As dounoharm said...."Give it some time to acclamate" and it should make a comeback.

dounoharm · #6 01-03-2009, 09:44 PM

if you 'mist' the roots, you must put enuf water on em to turn the roots green, meaning that the water has penetrated the exterior root covering....i think if you hang it in the shower and shower it a couple times a day you will do more good than misting...share your shower with a friend! lol

rogerman · #7 01-03-2009, 09:46 PM

Geez i'm pleased i don't do that......some of my "friends" are bigger than me

Ray · #8 01-03-2009, 10:35 PM

It looks to me like it's being kept way too dry - both watering and humidity.

wangzang · #9 01-04-2009, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dounoharm

if you 'mist' the roots, you must put enuf water on em to turn the roots green, meaning that the water has penetrated the exterior root covering....i think if you hang it in the shower and shower it a couple times a day you will do more good than misting...share your shower with a friend! lol

I actually considered that, as I've been trying to think of good ways to water it without having to bend the roots. I think I'll start taking it in the shower with me in the mornings, then drenching it again in the shower when I'm home for lunch. Would misting be ok around 7pm? I imagine not since it's already dark and may invite rot. Also, is warm/hot water ok?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

It looks to me like it's being kept way too dry - both watering and humidity.

Do you think if I follow the procedure above it'll be ok, or do I need to actually increase the humidity as well? Currently it's 25-30%, which I know is low. The problem is that I don't have any enclosures, nor the cash to pay for one at the moment. Maybe in a month or two, but I'd rather avoid it for space reasons. I've read the sphag-n-bag procedure on your site, but it seems like more of a temporary thing, right?

Yesterday a humidity tray arrived so I can help the few potted orchids I have. However, it hardly seems to be working at all, let alone enough to help the nearby Vanda.

Thanks again for all the information. It's a relief to know I'm on the right track about the watering.

Ray · #10 01-04-2009, 10:02 AM

Watering once or twice a day like that won't hurt - don't use hot water - but do not mist it in the evening. Vandas like to go to bed dry.

Besides, the idea behind misting is to humidify, not to wet the plant. Read "Evaporation".