Recovering Vanda

[tryingtoflower]

My one root vanda is still on the mend. I don't see any new roots and I've tried everything. Can you tell me how often I should use the seaweed fertilizer, superthrive. and rooting hormone. I'd give up but the plant is a fair size and looks pretty good in spite of it all. I don't want to overdo anything. THANKS

[WhiteRabbit]

Good luck!

[LizB88]

Give it time, I think as long as you keep an eye on it and it maintains healthy leaves you will get new growth, slowly but surely. For me the hardest part is the wait.

[tryingtoflower]

Thanks for your encouragement. I read all the posts on vanda issues and have followed instructions. However, I'm struggling with the exact scheduling of how often I should use these methods. As of now the plant has been trimmed to remove the dead roots and stalk, treated with cinnamon, and have used seaweed, rootone, and superthrive. (not all at the same time) It now actually looks better and sits in a window, over a vase with stones and is getting sprayed when dry. Am I on the right track? I figured I would leave it alone until it grows another root then move it outside with the others. I'm new to vandas and this particular plant seems to have less substantial flesh to its leaves then my others. If I can get it back to its former state I'll be ecstatic.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by tryingtoflower

Thanks for your encouragement. I read all the posts on vanda issues and have followed instructions. However, I'm struggling with the exact scheduling of how often I should use these methods. As of now the plant has been trimmed to remove the dead roots and stalk, treated with cinnamon, and have used seaweed, rootone, and superthrive. (not all at the same time) It now actually looks better and sits in a window, over a vase with stones and is getting sprayed when dry. Am I on the right track? I figured I would leave it alone until it grows another root then move it outside with the others. I'm new to vandas and this particular plant seems to have less substantial flesh to its leaves then my others. If I can get it back to its former state I'll be ecstatic.

I haven't much experience with Vandas, but if your plant hasn't been further declining, I think you must be in the right track!

How long has it been without root growth? In my limited Vanda experience, and general orchid experience - often there are periods of no root growth.

[tryingtoflower]

I went away for a week in May and I put spaghnum moss in the basket with it to help my daughter with the watering. When I returned I was left with only what was not in moss.

[Island Girl]

With products containing rooting hormones, you should ONLY use them ONCE every two weeks. When I started applying once every two weeks, that's when I noticed growth, not when I applied all the time (which is what I did as a newbie). I would explain the "whys & hows" in my words, but it's late, and I get ramble-y sometimes, lol, so here's a link:

Good Luck! Hope it'll grow it's roots back quickly!

Superior Kelp Concentrate

...this is an explanation of a product called "KelpMax" (sold by FirstRays), but everything he explains, applies to all rooting hormones.

[tryingtoflower]

You have been a huge help to me. I may have poisoned my vanda by overusing everything but at least now I know what not to do. You've saved my healthy plants. Thank you!!!

[Island Girl]

You're very welcome! Good luck! I hope your Vanda recovers! Since it doesn't have a lot of roots, to keep it hydrated, you will want to keep it in high humidity (make sure it has some air movement tho) and also keep it warm... You will also wanna keep it in lower light than normal - not totally dark tho. This is because as they perform photosynthesis, they lose water from their leaves, so it will become more dehydrated as time goes on, because it doesn't have enough roots to replenish the moisture. Once it has roots, then it can go back into its normal amount of light, and will be fine.

[tryingtoflower]

I thought it was a goner and I really had given up. I put it inside by a window, soak the one root in the morning and I may be hallucinating but I think I see some bumps developing on the stalk. I'll keep you posted.