Vanda/Renanthera Hybrid Issue

[FSUOrchids]

It seems like this was fusarium, based on my research. I ended up having to dispose of the plant, which is annoying because I haven't seen this hybrid for sale before.

[james mickelso]

Mite damage in the axils (?) of the leaf? I know they can wreak havoc. But then again vandas do lose leaves from time to time. What about the roots? Are there enough growing roots on it or have some of them become old and papery feeling? What is it growing in if anything at all?

[FSUOrchids]

The roots had collapsed which seems to be consistent with fusarium.

Basically the roots started to look worse and worse over time, and one by one it would lose leaves. Then the other day I noticed that some of the last decent looking roots had collapsed.

I had asked Dr. Martin Motes, one of the Vanda experts, about this last month and he thought it sounded like fusarium. I looked into that more and basically confirmed it. The annoying thing is that the only fungicides that can treat this fungus are hundreds and hundreds of dollars, which is not at all worth it to me.

It was growing bare root like 90% of my Vandas. The roots weren't great when I got it, but the plant seemed healthy enough. I do suspect that it may have already had fusarium when I bought it though, because within a couple of months it went downhill.

[HighSeas]

I really hate to hear that. Especially a Renanthera. (sob) Did you confirm fusarium by the symptoms or did you see the fuscia color? I'm sorry you lost it either way. I would contact the seller.

[FSUOrchids]

I found more evidence of the color in the stem.