Recovering a Double-damaged (Root & Crown) Vanda?

[jje10001]

So I recently got a discounted rescue NOID vanda with a single root, and I cleaned it up and put it in a clay pot outside in the shade.



Unfortunately despite the hot weather and wind, the plant developed some localized fungal issues after a series of rainstorms over these last weeks, and I examined it to removed the rotting lower stem and to apply fungicide to the afffected spots.

I then noticed that the newest leaf had died and had a black spot, so I took my snips, cut through the leaf, pulled gently, and...pop!

Out came the leaf, and along with it, a white core which I presume is the growing point.



I am still quite sour about this since I've unnecessarily set this plant back even further, and complicated its recovery.



Is there any path to recovery? I know that vandas can grow keikis/offshoots, but they tend to do so on established plants with extensive root systems.

At this point, how would the plant react to this event?

What should my next steps be? I'm torn about either placing this plant back outdoors, or keeping it indoors.

[estación seca]

It needs to be kept as warm and humid as possible to promote rooting. I would also treat with Kelpak to promote new root growth. It can't take up much water with the tiny root nub, which is why incrasing humidity to decrease transpirative water loss is important. I would also set the lower part of the plant in water for several hours each day, allowing the plant to dry between soaking. This will increase water uptake.

Vandas hardly grow without plentiful fertilizer. At every watering I would use a balanced fertilizer with micronutrients at the rate of 1 teaspoon/5ml of powder per gallon/3.78 liters.

[jje10001]

Originally Posted by estación seca

It needs to be kept as warm and humid as possible to promote rooting. I would also treat with Kelpak to promote new root growth. It can't take up much water with the tiny root nub, which is why incrasing humidity to decrease transpirative water loss is important. I would also set the lower part of the plant in water for several hours each day, allowing the plant to dry between soaking. This will increase water uptake.

Vandas hardly grow without plentiful fertilizer. At every watering I would use a balanced fertilizer with micronutrients at the rate of 1 teaspoon/5ml of powder per gallon/3.78 liters.

Thanks for the notes- in this case, I was planning on putting it back outside in the shade where it had been beforehand. At the moment, the weather is roughly 25-30C/75-85F , with an average humidity of 50-60%.



I've currently put it back into the clay pot with a wire support to keep it upright suspended in the middle of the pot, and piled some large charcoal chunks around the base, not touching the stem or root.

The pot is sitting in a small saucer of water to provide some additional humidity/wicking, and I think it would be easy enough to dunk the entire pot into a larger container of fertilized water every morning, maybe with some intermediate watering in the afternoon/evening.

As for the damaged growth point, I guess it's a wait-and-see-situation, right? In this case, would the plant likely focus on root growth, or replacing that apical dominance first?

[estación seca]

The root needs to be in contact with water for a number of hours per day. If it survives, I think it will make roots before making a new shoot from a lower leaf axil.

[Ray]

Get a bottle of Kelpak from C&C Orchids (Facebook) or emailing Chris at cvarady@cogeco.ca. They’re in Hamilton.

Mix it up at 8 ml/L and immerse the entire plant in it for an hour or two. Remove it from the liquid, invert it and gently shake it to empty the leave axils before repotting it. Water it in with that same solution.

The next two times you water, and then monthly thereafter, use Kelpak at 4ml/L.