brittle roots and flower buds death
 

I recently bought a lovely Vanda orchid and hang it up in the kitchen where it's warm and humid. I have been steaming the roots and spraying them daily until green. Can anyone advise on why they are so brittle, maybe that's the reason why the new flower buds on the plant have gone from green to brown? Many thanks

Not enough humidity. The plant roots look dehydrated. Its not the easiest thing to grow vandas inside. There are some here at the OB that are extremely successful. They might be better at telling you how to grow inside. If it were mine, it would go outside.

I have a large vanda hanging in the house just like yours for about 2 months (I bought it at the local show in April). I think spraying might be not enough.
I keep a pile of water beside it and early morning around 6 am I put vanda into pile making sure that only roots are covered in water and it sits there while I am getting ready for work about 20 - 30 minutes. Then after work at about 4pm I do the same thing. It is a daily routine, like walking the dog.
I have read somewhere that for successfull mediumless growing vanda needs to be watered by running water on her roots for 15 minutes twice a day.
My vanda looks pretty happy, all the roots have fresh growing points and it even produced two fat new ones higher on the stem.
Good luck with your vanda, it has beautiful blooms.

Thanks guys, I have just sank the roots in luke warm water, will do that twice a day :-)

It's quite common for vanda or any other orchid with spike or buds to lose some of them when the plant is moved from one location to another (due to temperature/environment change)

Yup, not enough water. You might check out the thread on 'Vandas in Vases' which was pretty useful for those of us looking to grow Vanda's indoors. There's also been the suggestion of using Spanish Moss as a drape around the plant to increase humidity, I purchased a huge (green-house grown and very clean) clump of it from Botanica Ltd for $5 for this very purpose.

-Tristan

I totally agree with Tristan!
My :twocents:
These also need to be in your brightest window -most light possible, and appreciate being fed.
My experience with spanish moss:
I have an Ascocenda hybrid I grow in a vase. She gets watered just about every day she has been/and is, in flower (2 spikes) for I believe a good 6 weeks (I'll check exactly) - she has also developped lots of roots, some very fat ones. A couple weeks ago I added a part of a
Tillandsia to the top of the vase. Tonight when going to water I noticed it has what looks like another spike emerging! :biggrin:
I'll know in a week or so if root or spike...? I have really seen a difference on my plant since I added the Tillandsia. (roots dry less fast, & new growth?..)

Vandas can also be grown potted in a clear plastic pot with lots of drainage holes or slots.