Can I save my Vandas? - Orchid Board

Just asking · #1 10-29-2023, 07:53 PM

Good evening!

A complete newbie here needing help! I am not too good at introductions but I'll try my best - my passion for orchids started about a month ago when I decided to get us a couple or phals to brighten up our space and revive our old little Phalaenopsis that proved to be a true survivor. The survivor is doing great, sprouting new roots and on its way to complete recovery but I did happen to discover Vandas while I did my extensive continuous research. And this is where I fell for these gorgeous plants. This is also where the trouble started.

And it is not because Vandas are much more demanding - I was ready for that. It is because I bought my two plants from an online shop here in the UK that I feel very strongly about, and not in a good way. After my first Vanda Patchara Blue arrived I swore I would never buy from them again. You don't have to be a beginner to see when you are looking at a dying plant. But my drive was high and I knew we would look after it properly. The seller stated that I made a mistake by removing the plant from the basket it arrived in (a plastic little thing that I cut off bit by bit on the very first night of its arrival, very very carefully) but I am glad I did or this plant would have gone done much sooner I am sure.

The plant had:
- a large black tip on the top leaf, like someone spilled ink on it, which I did not take a proper photo of. I read on and thought it might have been a sun kissed spot since the seller assured me the plant received a lot of light;
- the plant looked pale green with yellowish/brownish stem. The base of the stem was short, there was little space between the base and the leaves and it was covered in something black, which remained on my fingers when touched;
- the roots were thin and soft, covered in algi. The base was covered in algi, the plant looked so unkempt and dirty it was difficult to tell what was where;
- there were a few viable roots that looked plumpish and we're about 5 mm in diameter but that was about it;
- the crown was about 20 cm / 9 inches tall and the roots were dangling at about 30 cm. The tips were cut off and the longest roots were all even at the ends;
- my place is warm 20-23 degrees and gets plenty of light for the UK, the humidity is at about 50 % and, since the plant was not in bloom and it is autumn, I was sprinkling it in its vase, fine mist, twice a day, pouring out the excess. I kept the plant in the window throughout the day, the crown sitting above the vase;
- I have soaked the Vanda on the first night, peeled off (very gently) any rotten tissue at the base, brushed the base lightly to remove any residue, removed any water from the base of the leaves, and used hydrogen peroxide at 3%, which many do not recommend. I used tap water, lukewarm, on the Vanda for the first week until I got B1 vitamin and used it as a spray diluted in water with a spoon of milk. I also bought aloe Vera plant to use with a spoon of honey as a spray again. I used coffee grinds, soaked, sprayed, not strong. I made sure to not spray any water on the leaves to prevent crown rot and I have not soaked the Vanda properly.

The mistakes I did:
- while I was handling the vase, the plant dropped three times;
- I have not soaked it properly after the first night it arrived (which was 28 days ago);
- I checked the stem and it looked firm enough but even on arrival the leaves looked slightly wrinkled, just a touch of that wrinkling;
- I did not remove the leaves at the bottom.

Today I braved it and removed the first bottom leaves to discover blackness under the leaves. The stem only has the spots, the black was sat on the leaves, at the very base. Now out of the 9 rows of leaves I originally had on the plant there are only 2 or 3.

I apologise for the long post and too much detail. I am in panic. I felt like returning the plant the very first night when I removed the first couple of bits of that basket. But I read previously that the seller is difficult and would blame the buyer. And it was the blue Vanda, how could I return it when it was there, in my hands, looking like it escaped a puppy farm? The emotion won over and I wrote to the seller asking for a partial refund after I have removed the basket completely, which request was denied.

What am I to do with this little plant? How do I save it? Can I? Is there anything at all that could help me help it? What have I done wrong?

Apologies for all this rumble and the questions... I just really really want to save this orchid if I can... We have named it already and it feels like a pet more than a plant.

Please, help with an advise if there is such at all... If I figure out how to attach photos, I will attach them whether from the arrival to today's, or in reverse order. I appreciate it might feel like a liability, and I will probably have more questions with more replies but I cannot make it without you. Your expertise is the key that I do not have, so please, if you have some time to spare, kindly advise... And thank you for reading this.

Just asking · #2 10-29-2023, 08:05 PM

These are the photos

Just asking · #3 10-29-2023, 08:16 PM

Also, the roots are now looking dark and there are fewer of them than on the first night I trimmed them, they look more shriveled too but they still green up a bit after watering.

I really hope someone picks up this thread as I am definitely lost for what to do next.

estación seca · #4 10-29-2023, 08:19 PM

Welcome to the Orchid Board.

Orchids grow slowly. It isn't usually good to do lots of frantic treatments in short order.

Vandas are difficult for many people to grow in homes because they really prefer warmer and more humid conditions than most people can give, plus they need frequent watering. Most Vandas require thorough watering at least once a day. Misting isn't enough.

20-23C / 68-74 F is tolerable for healthy Vandas but they prefer it much warmer. In cool conditions like yours watering every other day might be enough.

I didn't see it when it arrived but it may not have been as bad as you thought.

You didn't need to remove the basket at all. It is very easy to damage roots doing that.

The black stuff on the base and leaves is probably dried algae. It is likely the plant was grown in a very humid environment. These algae on plants and roots don't harm the plant. It sounds like this may have been the reason you removed leaves. That definitely harmed the plant.

The peeling of leaf bases and various treatments were not needed. Peeling old leaf bases and hydrogen peroxide on roots can be harmful.

Fortunately Vandas often tolerate a lot of abuse. Going forward I would thoroughly soak the roots in water once a day, then let them dry before watering. See whether you can keep it warmer. Give it bright light next to a window. It is unlikely late October sun through a window in the UK would harm a Vanda. Higher humidity would help a lot. A root treatment with a kelp product called Kelpak would probably help.

Just asking · #5 10-29-2023, 08:28 PM

Thank you so much for your quick reply. Everywhere I turned to was stating Vandas are hungry and thirsty so I have gone full force on them. I will cut it down to kelp then.

I was wondering - is sea moss any good for food for Vandas?

I know as a beginner I was way too vigorous and your reassurance that there might still be a chance is very important. I hope I find that balance.

And thanks for your honest reply.

But when there is this much of the algi residue on the base, doesn't it cause a possibility of rotting?

estación seca · #6 10-30-2023, 10:46 AM

Rotting is rare in healthy plants. They are weakened by improper temperatures, light levels, humidity and watering. Algae are also photosynthetic, so they need light. They don't penetrate plants. Many orchids are moist to wet throughout their growing seasons. Their roots are exposed and well-aerated so this is not a problem.

Now that I see the photos, your plant was normal and healthy on arrival. All the roots and leaves you cut off were normal and healthy. Orchids grow slowly. The plant was probably blooming size on arrival. It will take several years to recover.