Putting Vanda In Basket With Massive Roots

[HighSeas]

I had that problem. I "soak" my Vandas. Every day. As soon as I get home from work...I don't even go inside. I grab them off the tree and throw them in their soaker. (Which is a "bus-boy" bucket I got from Sams) First I squirt them down with the hose...then in the soaker, they go! Their roots are about 2 1/2 feet long and they get very pliable once they are wet. Just wrap them around, let them soak....and then pop them in a basket. Worked great for me.

[sharon lynn]

I’m putting my vanda hybrid into a wooden basket ..the stem is very long & would go thru basket ..can I cut stem to fit into basket without killing plant? It has a lot of good roots all up the plant .

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by sharon lynn

I’m putting my vanda hybrid into a wooden basket ..the stem is very long & would go thru basket ..can I cut stem to fit into basket without killing plant? It has a lot of good roots all up the plant .

A photo? Impossible to advise without seeing what you are seeing. Depending on circumstances, it could be time to divide if both sections of the plant have roots to sustain growth. Less than 3-4 feet of stalk, usually not a good idea. "Making it fit" is not a good reason by itself to divide. (When I hear that, my response is to google the myth of the "Procrustean bed"

[sharon lynn]

I also have vanda hybrid I am putting into wood basket..what do I do with long stem ? Just let it go thru the slat in bottom?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by sharon lynn

I also have vanda hybrid I am putting into wood basket..what do I do with long stem ? Just let it go thru the slat in bottom?

Sure. No harm in that. Photos?

[sharon lynn]

I measured stem on vanda , it is 8” long .http://www.orchidboard.com/community...8&d=1577395173
The wooden pot is rectangular. Also 8” . I have no idea what to do with stem . I need to remove some of the bottom roots that are dead . I accidentally forgot plant in tub overnight & some of the roots died. I have 3 new leaves on top of plant . There are a lot of healthy roots in middle & top .

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by sharon lynn

I measured stem on vanda , it is 8” long .http://www.orchidboard.com/community...8&d=1577395173
The wooden pot is rectangular. Also 8” . I have no idea what to do with stem . I need to remove some of the bottom roots that are dead . I accidentally forgot plant in tub overnight & some of the roots died. I have 3 new leaves on top of plant . There are a lot of healthy roots in middle & top .

Photo helps! That dead section of stem, below the good roots, can be cut with no problem. Then, you can just put the rest into that wood basket. Roots that extend below the basket are fine. Just add some large bark to help hold a bit of moisture (and stabilize the plant), and you're fine... the basket mostly serves to help hang the plant. Vanda roots need lots of air. Those roots on the upper part of the plant are growing well just the way they are. If you want to keep a bit more humidity around them, you could drape some "Spanish moss" - Tillandsia usenoides around the plant, but from the looks of the plant, it is doing just fine as it is.

[sharon lynn]

Roberta,thx 4 the help . 😁 I cut the stem & put a bit of cinnamon on end. I do have another question tho.. of all the pictures of vandas I’ve seen none of them have roots going all the way up the plant..do you know why this one does? It’s called Ramasamyara Jairak Blue. I even looked on internet at that specific plant & as far as I can see none have the same type of roots ..I’m confused & curious 🧐

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by sharon lynn

Roberta,thx 4 the help . 😁 I cut the stem & put a bit of cinnamon on end. I do have another question tho.. of all the pictures of vandas I’ve seen none of them have roots going all the way up the plant..do you know why this one does? It’s called Ramasamyara Jairak Blue. I even looked on internet at that specific plant & as far as I can see none have the same type of roots ..I’m confused & curious 🧐

Actually, that's quite a normal root-growth pattern. Vandas are really strong epiphytes - they really, really want to grow with roots hanging free. In fact, while I grow several of them mounted, I have noticed that they don't get particularly intimate with the mount... there will be a few roots hanging on, but most go wherever. I suspect that having roots over the whole plant gives more surface area for moisture-absorption, since whatever was in the pot rotted... the air roots are the really important part of the story.

[aliceinwl]

I just want to add that I suspect any roots that died after the overnight soak were already on the way out. I water my Vandas by letting them soak overnight, every night, and their roots are doing great. The only time I started to see problems was when I let the roots stay moist for a few days.