What's wrong with my Vanda?

[Greenpots]

Hi ,

I bought this Vanda Ploenpit Prize in Dec 2021. It grew well in 2022 but somehow in Nov/Dec it lost its leaves one by one and roots all dried up. Does anyone know what's wrong with it?
I m 4-5 miles away from beach and keep orchids in backyard iunder shaded tree. I currently brought this Vanda into.the house.
Thank you in advance,
Tony

[Toadwally]

It appears starved for water.

[Greenpots]

It cant be. I water it everyday and worst 4 times a week.

[estación seca]

In baskets they need to be watered every day, twice on hot days. What are the temperatures outside day / night?

[Roberta]

What about temperature? Where do you live?

As far as being desiccated... The roots definitely don't look good, and without good roots, the plant can't take up water. You may need to put a plastic bag around it (mini greenhouse) to raise the humidity to slow down water loss. There are lots of people on the Board who grow Vandas more than I do, but my suggestion would be to give it a soak in Kelmax/Kelpak to try to jump-start some root growth.

[Greenpots]

I'm in Fountain Valley and temp is 59 day / 45 night. Last month was mid 60/ mid 50. Nov. 70day / high 50 night.


This is how it was in 04/2022.

[Roberta]

I think that it may be objecting to the cold. Not only the cold nights (I think there have been some nights that have gotten a good bit lower - like about 40 F and days have been chilly too.) We're almost neighbors...I'm in Costa Mesa. This type of hybrid Vanda really likes to grow on the warm side - Phalaenopsis temperatures. These like a lot of humidity, lots of light, lots of warmth. Like what they'd get in south Florida. So I'd suggest bringing it into the house, and giving it that good soak. Indoor light is going to be less than ideal, but for now, dealing with temperature and hydration are the biggies. You need to persuade it to grow some new roots - and perhaps hydrate the ones that you have.

Last year was just a bit milder. A few degrees can make a big difference when you're pushing the limits. You got it in December, and it had some reserves - and that's the time that the days get longer, it wasn't terribly warm but it WAS bright and days a bit warmer - we had no rain and few clouds,. This year has been chilly and dark. Enough to make a difference.

[Toadwally]

Originally Posted by Roberta

What about temperature? Where do you live?

As far as being desiccated... The roots definitely don't look good, and without good roots, the plant can't take up water. You may need to put a plastic bag around it (mini greenhouse) to raise the humidity to slow down water loss. There are lots of people on the Board who grow Vandas more than I do, but my suggestion would be to give it a soak in Kelmax/Kelpak to try to jump-start some root growth.

Good advice. Perhaps the Vanda was subjected to dessicating winds for a spell, not handleable by typical watering. I'd mist the plant heavily each morning. Between 12 and 24 hrs of roots drying (white), give roots thorough soak in water. For now, weekly soak in 1/2 strength or less fertilizer. Two weeksfrom first kelpak, trat again, then monthly thereafter. Hope this helps.

[Greenpots]

Only this vanda has this problem. My other vandas are ok. some are blooming and some have spikes. I hope it's caused by temp not disease.
Thank you everyone's inputs.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Greenpots

Only this vanda has this problem. My other vandas are ok. some are blooming and some have spikes. I hope it's caused by temp not disease.
Thank you everyone's inputs.

For each Vanda, a lot depends on the specific parentage - just a little of a cooler-growing species in its background can make it more cold tolerant than another that doesn't have it. As a "What can I get away with?" backyard grower, I also live close to the edge. (Hint... I get away with a LOT but don't win them all) This particular one may just need a little more pampering.