Vanda has turned yellow in the middle with leaves falling off... Help!

[KillerOrchid]

I recently received a Vanda orchid for Christmas that was in bloom. Since then, the stem has turned black, and the middle of the plant has turned yellow with many leaves coming off. It is currently in a glass vase with wine corks at the bottom. I let the roots soak for 15 mins everyday in water, and use fertilizer about once a week. Please help! I'm new with orchids and don't know what to do!

[bellini girl]

I'm no expert but it looks like thrips got to your orchid. the roots look healthy enough

[KillerOrchid]

How would I treat that?

[jcec1]

It looks like rot to me. Water may have collected in the base of the leaves and caused it. I only water mine in vases once a week in winter, but I'm in the UK, so you may be a lot warmer or sunnier so it may need more. I've not seen corks in the bottom of a vases before, so not sure if they will be detrimental, they may get algae over them with constant moisture and look pretty ugly. I reckon the plant will go downhill and you will soon lose the top growth due to rot. If the rot is then cut out you may get a keikei (new shoot), from lower down the plant. It will take several years to recover.

Vanda also need a lot of light, so a south facing window would be an idea spot for it.