Help with Vanda - Orchid Board

KMK · #1 04-15-2008, 08:33 PM

I've had my first Vanda (Karen Ono) for almost 1 month. I received it in spike and many leaves were brown. It has since flowered. However the leaves are still turning yellow and some of the leaves have brown tips. The pictures are 1) upon arrival 2) at one week and 3) at 1 month.

I really love these and want to learn more about them. Any help you can provide?

Roy · #2 04-16-2008, 05:53 AM

Number one problem !!!! Get rid of the spagnum moss from around the base of the plant. The plant doesn't appear to have had many roots to start with but the moss won't help. Humidity and daily misting would be better. The leaf loss could be a result of the plants original condition. The moss is causing extra rot to set in. The plant should recover ok. The leaf loss is due to the combination of things as suggested.

KMK · #3 04-16-2008, 09:54 AM

Thanks. Yes, It did not arrive with many roots. What is the best way to encourage more growth?

Also, I do travel often. What should I do when I am gone for a few days? I was told that the moss would be best for watering every few days when I travel.

Roy · #4 04-16-2008, 10:17 AM

Vandas have a natural growth sense. They will try to make roots anytime to survive provided they are warm and have humidity. If you are going away place your plant in a tub or bowl that has water in it. Put another pot base up in the water and set your plant on that pot. Place the lot in a warm location with some light if possible. The water will evaporate and keep the plant going. Hopefully the water will last till your return. If it runs out within a 2 or 3 days of your return, it shouldn't be a problem. The plant as it is at the moment may require a short time to adjust to your conditions, don't panic, it seem to healthy in the main.

LauraN · #5 04-16-2008, 10:28 AM

Loosing lower leaves is quite common in Vanda's. Having just the edges turn color is not. It appears that you could have them sitting on a heating unit ?! If so, that could be turning the edges as they heat up...If not, then I'd say that either the edges are burning from sun or they are getting a fertilizer burn... Just my thoughts...
I too agree that the moss is not needed, but don't think it would be causing this problem. Roy's advice about humidity and misting is right on.
I grow my vandas outside in nice weather and winter them in my orchid room. They recieve high light and daily watering. Most are just in empty baskets or hung from a wire and seem to do fine. I do have a couple that I received with moss hung around the roots and they seem to do equally fine.
Good luck with your growing!
Laura

Daemos · #6 04-16-2008, 11:18 AM

Don't ever place a vanda near a heater. Just water it as many times a day as you can. provide enough light and watch the magic happen

Vanda's tend to dry out quickly. In principle no spag moss or any of that is needed rh = 30% over here right now and everything is going like a charm. Keep watering and good luck.

Ocelaris · #7 04-20-2008, 06:00 AM

Check out the glass vase method, or "opreation vanda rescue" vandas need dry or wet, n'er in between... the root system was quite paltry on that plant when you got it, so you need some major love and attention.

KMK · #8 04-20-2008, 07:06 PM

Thanks for all the advice. The plants are on the humidity tray and the heater that is near it is never on, so that is not the problem. I have lost the 6 bottom leaves and there is not new growth in the leaves or the roots. However, the flowers look great.

Daemos · #9 04-21-2008, 02:49 PM

New growth will come by itself when the conditions are good. Light, water and fert. Fert will feed. Light will trigger foliage and flowering and water will trigger roots and keep your plant healthy. To my experience vanda's react very slow on changes. It takes nearly a month sometimes to get rootstips started. Just keep the conditions right and everything will come by itself

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #10 04-28-2008, 02:57 AM

Are you using tap water? Watering with tap water can cause problems if you don't know how high your dissolved mineral content is. Different places, different dissolved mineral content in water.

The higher the dissolved mineral content is, the more likely the plant will not be able to process the excess minerals. This results in root burn/root rot as well as leaf tip burn.

Growing in moss is not going to help the situation with growing your Vanda. Moss not only retains lots of water, but allows the roots of the plant to access most of the moisture being held by the medium immediately. If you're away from time-to-time, grow in a clay pot with diatomite. Diatomite retains moisture better than moss and it allows the roots to access just enough of the moisture held in the medium to keep hydrated. I grow my Vanda coerulea and Vanda luzonica this way.