Newly formed vanda roots

[mytymig]

Hello everybody! I'm a novice member and I just have a question regarding newly formed roots of my vanda orchids that's been intriguing me. Why are these newly formed roots growing upwards instead of downwards pointing to the ground? My growing area is my backyard covered patio facing South. It is covered (with roof) but open on East, south and western sides. I installed a 50-70% green colored net sunshade on the eastern side and a blue tarp on the western side. Although it is not a problem as the vanda orchids are quite healthy, I'm just confused by this turn of event of the new roots. Your expert opinions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[WhiteRabbit]

I don't grow Vandas specifically, but they are epiphytes, so roots aren't programmed necessarily to grow downwards, like terrestrial plants would do

[Leadfoot]

I'm a noob at growing orchids, but I will share my experience...

My Vanda Cindy Banks 'Bill's Choice' AM/AOS grows most of her roots away from the sun towards the ground. She is grown on a screened and roofed backyard patio that faces ENE. She is a free hanging plant (not mounted or potted). She just stopped flowering and has started rigorous root growth -- it probably has 20 fresh tips. Most all the new root tips grow down and kind of away from the sun. I do have one single root growth (a fresh branch off an existing root) that goes upwards -- but it is the exception to the rule.

I hope you find an answer to your vanda root growing mystery.

[mytymig]

Thanks for your reassurance whiterabbit...

[mytymig]

We almost have the same kind of growing area except that mine is facing SSW. I also have 2 Cindy Banks that came from one of the better nurseries near your town (Kissimmee) and you're correct the roots of these vandas tend to veer away from the sun but mine seem to be trying to take shelter towards the roof. My vandas are all in wooden and plastic hanging baskets. When I bought my vandas, all have roots that hang down. Well for as long as the plants are healthy and continue to bloom, I'm happy. Thanks

[tucker85]

That's just what vandas roots do. The initial roots on small vandas will often grow down, but as the plant gets bigger the roots will grow from points along the main stem of the plant. Those new roots will be much larger and will grow straight out sideways, sometimes 2 or 3 feet long before turning down. The plant is just trying to find something to grab onto.

Like the previous posts, I've noticed that the roots of most orchids grow away from the light. That's especially true in my cattleyas. I assume that, in nature, that would give the roots the best chance of finding the tree trunk or a branch to attach to.

[Ray]

I think that the roots are not growing "away from the sun" (or away from anything, for that matter), but tend to seek moisture, instead. Windowsill growers will often see roots growing into the home, away from the glass, as that direction is cooler and therefore will have a higher RH. I suppose it might be "towards the tree", too, which would make it more of a combo of moisture + mechanical anchor.

[nutgirl]

Originally Posted by Ray

I think that the roots are not growing "away from the sun" (or away from anything, for that matter), but tend to seek moisture, instead. Windowsill growers will often see roots growing into the home, away from the glass, as that direction is cooler and therefore will have a higher RH. I suppose it might be "towards the tree", too, which would make it more of a combo of moisture + mechanical anchor.

I agree. I grow my vanda types in wood baskets on a shelf and the most root growth is in the spaces between the boxes. No sun there but lots of moisture.
I have propped a board next to the end basket to give those roots some extra humidity too.

Maureen

[fishmommy]

I get that all the time and it drives me nuts, but that's just what they do. I try to encourage them to grow downward by tying them sometimes, but mostly they just grow all directions and do what they want LOL

If it is any reassurance, a root that has the stifness and thickness it needs to defy gravity is a very healthy root! So, you must be doing things right to have nice thick roots like that.

[bellini girl]

I grow my vandas potted in large bark and some lava rock. I'm usually just grateful to see new roots, not really bothered about their direction. Because I don't grow them in typical fashion (bare root in baskets) I'm happy just knowing they are alive