Vanda Help!

[charlesf6]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I doubt that the small amount of media around some roots is the problem... There are plenty that are free-hanging, and the large bark should dry out fast after watering (and help to provide a little humidity) Those top leaves do look "toasted". Hard to see in the photo, but the new growth just emerging from the crown (the top of the plant) looks OK. If THAT goes, the plant is usually history. If you received the plant in a package and it was there for several days in shipping, it is possible that it just received too much light (and/or heat) immediately after unpacking. It's important to increase light gradually - and I have learned the hard way that even a few days in a box can make a plant very sensitive when it suddenly comes into the light. If the new growth is OK, the yellow leaves will still be ugly, but the plant will do OK over time.

Treated with kid gloves after unpacking. No new growth on crown
Cut off all of the bad parts right now, me bad, me mad!!

[Roberta]

We've all been focusing on heat and light... any chance the plant got exposed to COLD in shipping? Might not have shown distress immediately, but 6 days is a short enough time to suspect that the problems started before you got it. 6 days is too short of a time for possible sub-optimal watering to cause that damage.

[ShadePlant]

I was thinking shipping cold stress too. I've never had this happen to any of my vandas but the ones that were shipped were shipped in the heat of the summer. They do like a lot of warmth and light plus humidity. Does your bathroom have a window that gets a fair amount of sun? I see that you are in New York so outside is not probably able to be done this time of year. Mine are outside under the awning of my house but I had to pull them in last night due to a cold snap. Do you have any kelp max or other type of kelp solution? That may help as well.

---------- Post added at 09:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:32 AM ----------

I'm not sure if your lowes near you carries vanda bag babies but if this guy doesn't make it I would be happy to go to lowes and pick out one for you and ship it to you.

[charlesf6]

Originally Posted by ShadePlant

I'm not sure if your lowes near you carries vanda bag babies but if this guy doesn't make it I would be happy to go to lowes and pick out one for you and ship it to you.

That is quite alright but such a sweet sentiment anyhow.

[Leafmite]

Do you know the name of this Vanda? Some can tolerate cooler temperatures better than others. Some need more light, too, than can be provided inside a home (while other 'strap-leaf' Vandas are perfect in a sunny window).

[Roberta]

If this plant was imported, if it got fumigated on its way through customs, could also cause serious damage.

[estación seca]

The tag says V. denisander. There may be a number of things going on.

Neither V. denisoniana nor V. sanderiana like getting very cold, as in shipping. Vandas in the yellow/orange range are the least cold-tolerant. Blue Vandas have better cold tolerance.

Vanda leaves (and other orchids) usually split like that from inadequate water. Low winter humidity exacerbates the problem, because the plants need more water to keep up with transpiration.

Chilling predisposes Vandas to fungal and bacterial infections which cause leaf spots.

I personally can't grow Vandas in medium; I can only keep them alive bare-root. I would give it as much light as you can, and water the roots in the morning as soon as they become dry. If you bare-root it, you will water it every morning.

[bil]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I personally can't grow Vandas in medium; I can only keep them alive bare-root. I would give it as much light as you can, and water the roots in the morning as soon as they become dry. If you bare-root it, you will water it every morning.

I simply can't get them in a pot, as the roots just don't want to know.
I keep the atmosphere a bit more humid round the roots of mine with a curtain of tilandesia all round it.

[wintergirl]

I use a plastic bag around some of my vanda roots. I also grow some in clay pots with clay beads or media.

[bil]

Originally Posted by wintergirl

I use a plastic bag around some of my vanda roots. I also grow some in clay pots with clay beads or media.

I suppose you could also hang cotton cords around the roots too.