promoting new roots on a vanda.....
 

I am hoping that someone can help suggest ways to promote new root growth on a vanda. I live in Oregon where it rarely gets above 90 degrees I think on average it is 11 days per year with 90+ degree weather. Anyways I placed my vanda out on the balcony the day that I first moved into my new apartment and unfortunately neglected it during a 3 day period of 95+ degree weather. :( Needless to say it got burned and has lost alot of leaves. The roots that it has are way down the stem (about 8 inches) and don't appear to be in very good shape after the direct heat. I am really hoping that there is some way to promote the roots to grow before the whole plant decides to die.... I have moved the plant so it isn't getting all the direct sun for the just in case I neglect it again in the near future. I do water and mist every morning and have fertilizer in a spray bottle that I mist it with as well.....

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated....

Thank you

I've heard, don't know for sure, that tying some sphag around the stalk could entice Vandas to grow roots. Anyone else heard this?

this was addressed at the lecture I went to. the guy said he'd tried it, and it didn't work. now he just waits and eventually they put out roots on the bare area.

First off, move the damaged plant away from direct sunlight; make sure the area has good air flow and high humidity.
On healthy vandas, I use calcium nitrate (Scott's Calcium Plus) as part of the regular feeding regimen - it works directly on the roots, stimulating new growth and even repairing some damaged areas.

Hi Frazmo. I kind of have the same problem my father in-law cut off all the roots to my vanda that was at least 18 inches high and half the leaves drop off. What I did was cut the vanda to 3-4 inches below the last leaf (strip off dried up leaves) and used Rootone. Planted in live Spag. in a pot and kept the medium damp. It's been two weeks now and two roots have sprouted. Not saying it's a correct way but it worked for me. My Cattleya orchid had root rot did the same thing and now it is growing roots and 4 pseuodobulbs. Give it a try.

Oh I forgot to mention I keep the vanda in an east facing window with the window open.

Okay, here is my "root cocktail", and I have new roots everywhere, on any Vanda I've had for over a month. I take a 32oz. spray bottle, to keep on the porch, and a 2.5 gal. water jug (with the spout on the front) to keep inside for a re-fill station. That way, I only have to make new food once, every week or two. To the 2.5 gal of water, I add 1.5 scoops of "Jack's Classic" Blossom Booster 10-30-20 (about 1400ppm), 2.5ml of blackstrap molasses, 3ml K-L-N rooting concentrate (by Dyna-Gro), and 15ml of hydroguard (for a little biological re-enforcement). The key factors, for those who don't want to buy all of that, would be: the blossom booster and the K-L-N. But the molasses is really high in potassium, so it helps, too.

Jasen, the molasses idea is interesting...I'd never heard that one before!

Inside secret, I was fortunate enough to be taught.....sssshhhhhh.......don,t tell anyone. If you get it from the health food store, you can find up to 500mg of potassium per serving.Biiiiig blooms!

I wish I could get the chemicals you guys mentioned to make my insignis grow roots.