New Member, Need Help!! (please) - Page 2 - Orchid Board

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #11 09-24-2009, 01:15 AM

I'll add one more thing that I think no one's addressed yet...

The roots on the Vanda that's doing well, are very thin. I make this a point because, eventually, if the plant doesn't start developing strong, thick roots, the same fate will befall it that which happened to the Vanda that isn't doing so well.

There is a cause for spindly roots on Vandas, but right now I can't pinpoint it. I think it's from not enough water.

Hirschy · #12 09-24-2009, 09:53 AM

do you suggest just twice daily watering for that plant? ive only had the three bigger vandas for a week now and since having them ive watered them every morning and if i have time before class will quickly spray them down a second time.... should i start looking in to fertilizer?...
the one that i said isnt doing well i think is slowly getting worse! or at least the bottom two leaves are... they are pretty yellow, should i cut them?

Swamper · #13 09-24-2009, 11:02 AM

They will fall off eventually. I had a really hurt vanda in worse shape than yours. I hung it upside down for about 3 months. It became stable, quit getting worse. Then I turned her right side up again before finding a place against the aforementioned fence. Now 1 year and half later its doing great.

Hirschy · #14 09-24-2009, 05:11 PM

thank you! i guess i just need to give her time and see how it works out.. i think ill cut the spike and let it recover...
i read that if i wanted to clean off leaves/ roots it is suggested to use rubbing alcohol... anything i should be cautious about or anything better to use??

(sorry about all the questions!)

Swamper · #15 09-24-2009, 06:34 PM

I use water and my fingers when I see something strange. LOL that seems so crazy I know. If I want it gone NOW I add a little soap. I vaguely remember once using alcohol, it didnoharm .
Be cautious about... loving it to death

I mean back off sometimes and let them be. Suddenly they go BANG! and they recover fully.
I'm sure there are other things, and you will hear about them. But that's caution to get you started.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #16 09-24-2009, 10:39 PM

Watering twice a day during hot days might help out with the spindly root problem.

That's how much I'm watering them right now. No root rot. And I have them potted. The roots on many of my established Vandas are all thick.

Try this just to see what kind of results you get.

Use the Vanda that's not doing so well and pot it in a terra cotta pot with large grade wood chips and put a thin layer of moss on top of the bark as dressing. Sit back and see what happens.

Hirschy · #17 09-25-2009, 01:15 AM

wow awesome! will do!
thank you both for all the help! hopefully ill have great success pictures to post... fingers crossed.
(or photos of new plants... im hooked!)

stefpix · #18 09-25-2009, 01:41 AM

bought 2 small vandas that came bare root with no viable roots - put them in a basket together with a division of a seedling of Den aggravatum.
just some lava rock with a few pieces of bark and moss here and there - mist 2 3 times a day - now the vandas are really sprouting a lot of new root tips. southern window + 23 W CFL a few inches away to supplement.

as a novice I find that Cattleyas and Vandas are really resilient at creating new roots without rotting.

stronger survival ability than Phals...

At the Brooklyn Botanic Garden saw all these Vandas with old new roots everywhere. I am wondering if it is normal that roots die after a year or so and new fresh roots take over

Poppyseed · #19 09-25-2009, 06:56 PM

I use fresh squeezed lemon juice to wipe down the foliage of my orchids. It shines them up very nicely and gives them a nice gleam.

mantis · #20 09-25-2009, 07:40 PM

Hi and welcome,
Your Vanda needs a good soaking. Would you be able to let it soak in a bucket of water for about 15 minutes a day (or at least a couple of times a week)? I sometimes add fertilizer to the bucket of water as well. The leggy stem is a dead give away for dehydration but don't worry it will still flower for you. Once you start soaking the roots they should begin to show some green, and you will also get new roots eventually coming off the stem. Eventually you will be able to cut that stick off (once you have 3 good sized roots) and you can use the part that has been cut off to force a keiki (place in the shade to do that).