Vanda Root Problems

[Storme]

Hi There,

I've had this Vanda now for 2 months. When I first got it, it was just about to open up in flower and its roots looked really fat, green and healthy.

I've been monitoring it quite closely as I've never had one before and still learning all the basic for orchid care in general.

The roots of this vanda have started to show signs of problems. At least I think so. Firstly, what stands out for me, is black tips that are starting to develop on the root ends. Second, some of the roots have become quite skinny, perhaps even dead. Thirdly, there are rings on some areas of the roots. Almost a strangulation type ring. But these roots are definitely not being strangled.

Any advice on what/if the problem might be?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ray]

The first things I'd consider would be that they may be 1) watered too infrequently, 2) with poor quality water, and/or 3) with too much fertilizer.

[estación seca]

The roots in your second photo are still alive and green, and don't look terrible for a plant grown outdoors with low to moderate humidity. When they are happy, almost every root tip will, indeed, have a bright green growing tip.

Bare-root Vandas need to have their roots completely wet every day. If it is hot, twice a day. Growers in south Florida use well water with very high mineral levels, so this is probably not your problem. It is recommended to wet them with the hose, then come back in a few minutes and wet them again. This ensures the velamen is completely saturated.

What is your temperature range? Your relative humidity? How cool do you get in the winter? Vandas are not happy outdoors with temperatures much below 15C / 60 F.

[Storme]

We have temperatures in summer that average the mid 30's, Celsius. Winter we looking at about 15-25, giver or take. At night drop slightly lower. Humidity is normally above 50%. Subtropical.

Living on a farm, we get our garden water from the local canal which is fed by a dam further up the valley. Would thrips pose much of a problem to the roots?

The plant itself still looks like it is going strong. It's just mainly the black tips on the roots that I've been most concerned about.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sharon's Sheepdogs]

I agree with the previous comments addressing the issues with your Vanda roots. However, you asked about thrips which is not a pest I actually have any experience dealing with. If you go to the following website to the article titled "Thrips Cause Bud Blast," thrips causing damage to Vanda roots is also discussed. There is a picture on the left of thrip damage to a Vanda roots and it shows the same rings & girdling of the roots your Vanda has. Could thrips be the cause of your vanda's problems?

Orchid Questions Answers, St. Augustine Orchid Society, 2010[COLOR="Silver"]

[

[estación seca]

Your water is probably fine for Vandas. I haven't had thrips that I know of. Did the plant arrive in flower, or did you flower it? I don't think you would be able to get good flowers on a plant with thrips - I don't think thrips infest only the roots.

[MattWoelfsen]

As others have mentioned, this seems to be a case of inconsistent watering rather than a problem with pests.

The black tip of the root ends is a result of inconsistent watering. At some point your Vanda's roots started growing, as long as it got good consistent moisture, this root tip will continue to grow. But if goes a couple of days or several days without consistent moisture the root tips stop growing. When you consistently water the roots, this root tip will grow again, but it will create a band, as seen by other roots in your picture.

Your roots will show that they have enough moisture when all of the roots turn green. After a good drenching, all of the roots should be green and not show any white roots. When all of the roots turn white, then it is time to water again--usually within 24 hours. But if the temperature is hot and dry, another watering would be in order later in the day. Watch your roots, they will give you a clue.

Another rule of thumb is, roots that turn completely green within a couple of minutes have good hydration, if roots take longer to turn green, then it was too dry.

If you read watering notes on the internet where people soak Vanda roots for hours at a time, they are not doing their plants any good. Orchid roots--especially Vanda have thick, sponge like material surrounding the root, it's called vellum. This velum is what will tell you it has had enough water.

[estación seca]

Roots can continue sucking in water almost constantly. It's certainly true it only takes a few minutes to wet velamen, but in a low-humidity environment, that velamen may be dry within 30 minutes. Soaking in a low-humidity environment allows the plant to take in much more water than wetting the roots twice a day. I was not able to keep my Vandas hydrated during summer even with twice-daily wetting of roots, but soaking them overnight every 2-3 days does the trick.

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Roots can continue sucking in water almost constantly. It's certainly true it only takes a few minutes to wet velamen, but in a low-humidity environment, that velamen may be dry within 30 minutes. Soaking in a low-humidity environment allows the plant to take in much more water than wetting the roots twice a day. I was not able to keep my Vandas hydrated during summer even with twice-daily wetting of roots, but soaking them overnight every 2-3 days does the trick.

Thank you for that point of view. You live in a desert! Which I know nothing about. How you grow your Vanda is specific to your conditions. Soaking my Vanda that long would damage it.

[charlesf6]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Roots can continue sucking in water almost constantly. It's certainly true it only takes a few minutes to wet velamen, but in a low-humidity environment, that velamen may be dry within 30 minutes. Soaking in a low-humidity environment allows the plant to take in much more water than wetting the roots twice a day. I was not able to keep my Vandas hydrated during summer even with twice-daily wetting of roots, but soaking them overnight every 2-3 days does the trick.

This method of soaking has seemed to improve my Vanda denisander situation somewhat...