Vanda rooting ?s

[JennS]

Tinimom, you're welcome! I was wondering about your vanda, is it in water, or sitting above the water? Just curious...

[dianecty]

Hi JennS! I have been trying to replicate your sphag n bag technique. I have a couple of questions though. Do I continue to water the stalk of the plant that has been covered with a paper towel or do I just put it aside and just wait?

If I keep the paper towel and sphag wet doesn't it suffocate the plant because it's bottom is covered?

How long should I wait before I try and see if roots were formed?


Thanks!!

[JennS]

Originally Posted by dianecty

Hi JennS! I have been trying to replicate your sphag n bag technique. I have a couple of questions though. Do I continue to water the stalk of the plant that has been covered with a paper towel or do I just put it aside and just wait?

If I keep the paper towel and sphag wet doesn't it suffocate the plant because it's bottom is covered?

How long should I wait before I try and see if roots were formed?


Thanks!!

Let me see if I can answer your questions.... What I did was usually water the paper towel/spag ball every other day. Keep in mind that my plants are outside in the florida heat, so you may not need to water as often. I always water early in the morning before 8AM, so it has all day to dry slowly. So, I would say you don't keep it wet, but moist at least for a few weeks. When the paper towel starts to desintigrate (sp?) you can check for the first sign of roots. I think tha will take a good two weeks or so depending on your watering schedule. I think I checked once after about a week to make sure nothing was going wrong (rot).

Also, if you look at the pictures on the previous page, in picture four you can see the bottom of the plant. I did not bring the paper towel around the bottom, just a little bit of spag ended up there because it fell down a bit. THe little bit of spag stayed somewhat underneath the plant, but since it was in a one of those plastic vanda baskets, and the plant was hovering slightly above the basket it was able to get alot of air to its base. I think that is pretty important that the base can still get air. I used the two paper clips to attach to the twist tie at the top of the paper towel and that is what kept the plant hovering above the basket. The paper clips were hoooked onto the wire hangers.

Since then, the root (only one really good one still) has gotten much longer and I have let the paper towel fall apart and now there is just some spag in the basket until the plant gets another root.

Any other questions, just ask. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[trinimom]

Originally Posted by JennS

Tinimom, you're welcome! I was wondering about your vanda, is it in water, or sitting above the water? Just curious...

Sorry JennS for the late reply but I only just checked my mail and saw your message.

My Vanda is in water .... but only one survived my experiment...Thanks for asking...

[JennS]

Originally Posted by trinimom

Sorry JennS for the late reply but I only just checked my mail and saw your message.

My Vanda is in water .... but only one survived my experiment...Thanks for asking...

Well at least one survived! We will never know if we don't experiment. How is the survivor doing now?

[JanetOS]

I would love to see an updated photo of your roots.

[JennS]

Janet, you are in luck! I happened to have a couple from about a week or two ago with me (I am at work). The first picture shows the two roots the developed after the spag. ball was left on for several weeks to maybe 2 months. I checked it at least once a week to make sure there was no rot or anything. The first root came much faster then the second root. After the first root got about 3/4 inch long, I removed the spag ball because I was afraid of it hindering it's growth. Then I left the spag in the bottom of the basket to increase humidty and hopefully encourage new roots. In the second picture you can see a new root that emerged between the very bottom set of leaves.

I have continued to leave the spag. in the bottom of the basket, even though it might not be necessary as it is pretty humid here, but I would definitely reocmmend it for anyone who doesn't have naturally high humidity in their growing area.

Let us know how it goes!

[JennS]

I took a few updated pics this weekend and just wanted to add them. I am pretty surprised to see the last post about a little over a month ago and then see how much has happened since then. I think these plants are just amazing!

[Brookpoint]

Originally Posted by JennS

I took a few updated pics this weekend and just wanted to add them. I am pretty surprised to see the last post about a little over a month ago and then see how much has happened since then. I think these plants are just amazing!

An amazing job of rerooting. Were there any viable roots on the vanda when you wrapped it in the spagh. Last night I broke the top growing portion of a 31/2 foot vanda off. No roots on this portion, This vanda has bloomed consistently 2 - 3 times a year, so not a good thing. I have followed your lead and am doing exactly the same with this poor broken top that is very healthy with perfect leaves. I am going to spray it often with a little super thrive in the water to encourage root growth. I live in s/w Florida, and it is hot enough to cook on the sidealk.
Did you keep you vanda in sun or shade? and what time of year did you have such good luck. Our growing conditions must be similar, since you are in Orlando. thanks for the advice, and for answering all my questions. Betty"

[Blueszz]

That's amazing! The plants looks also much better hydrated in the newest pictures!