Vandas growing thick white roots

[guccisimo85]

Hello!

All of my vandas started growing very thick white roots a few months ago. They turn green when I water them, but I am wondering what could be causing them to grow so thick? Should I be concerned?

They get plenty of light, humidity is high, and I water them daily. There was a period where I think I was over fertilizing so I wonder if this could be a protective mechanism to grow roots with thicker vellum? Two of them have spikes currently though, so they seem to be happy overall.

Curious what you all think!

[Keysguy]

They are doing what they are supposed to do when they are happy. Good job!

[Ray]

Thick roots on a vanda are a good thing. Yes, it can be from overfeeding (if you can share the fertilizer formula, concentration used, and frequency, we can see if we concur), but it is not compensation for an issue, it is taking advantage of a windfall.

[Keysguy]

Interesting observation I've made is that it may be genetic as well. In my collection, most of my vanda's have long bunches of roots. I'm talking 3-6' long clumps of roots. Not overly large individually but very lush masses. My Aerides and Rhynchostylis plants on the other hand, grown in the exact same area as the vanda's put out very few roots but the ones they have are up to 1/2" in diameter and very "woody like" some of which have grown to be 2' long and stick right out sideways off the plant. Crazy but all grow and flower nicely. I have a Rhy. gigantea alba in bloom now I'll post here later today as an example, if I get a sec.

[Keysguy]

guccissimo- here are some vandaceous root examples for you that I just took while I was out doing some watering. Granted, yours won't do this because they are, at least for now contained by the jar, but just examples so you can see potential and habit of different members of the greater vandaceous family.

1) an example of vanda species and hybrids. Note the finer, flowing growth habit. A couple of those are 6' long and touching the ground.

2&3) Aerides houlettiana. Significantly fewer but much sturdier roots. Some of those roots are as thick as my index finger and grow 2' straight out sideways. Note the older dark green root that has that "woody" appearance.

4) Rhynchostylis gigantea, fm. alba. - Roots are fewer like Aerides but have more of a vanda like size to them but, like Aerides, tend to grow more horizontally.

You're doing a good job so stick with whatever it is you're doing. Never mess with success!