Vanda SOS - Orchid Board

peeweelovesbooks · #1 02-22-2009, 07:57 PM

I have two problem vandas.

One, it's huge. I'm 5'7 and its roots are taller than me. When I received it, it was in a rotting wood basket, so I took it off. Now it's just hanging bareroot. Also, it had like moss all over it, which it has lost as the months have gone by.

I had placed it in a nice, bright spot, but realized it was getting too much light, so I moved it to a shadier spot. I water it every day. My problem is that it's just not doing anything. It is basically in the form of a "V" with two huge growths on either leg, and it's getting two keikis on either side. I noticed today one of the keikis has a yellow leaf.

Like I said, I water it, fertilize it, yet it's not putting out new roots or anything. Any help would be appreciated.

2nd Vanda: I had this one in front of my porch. It got too much sun so I moved it to where the other one is. Since I moved it, it has a huge new root, but the leaves are LIMP. I water it, and water it, and water it some more. It's hanging bare root and frankly, I don't know what to do with it anymore.

SOSOSOSOSOSOS~!!!!

dgenovese1 · #2 02-23-2009, 12:54 AM

Hi Peewee,
Vandas do love a lot of light, but can suffer damage from too much, as you've found out. Whenever you move a plant to a different location, it will take some time to acclimate to its new home...some take longer than others. Also, some Vandas are more sensitive to cold than others.

Having said that, Vanda 1 sounds like it is still acclimating to its new home...and sometimes during this time of year, a cold snap will cause the roots to stop growing, and could cause some leaf yellowing/drop (I know that it got down into the 30's in the Miami area a few weeks ago). Don't worry, when the hotter days of March/April reach the Miami area, the roots will start growing again.

As for Vanda #2, the damaged leaves from too much sun will not repair themselves, but new leaves will form, and should be nice and firm. It also sounds like you are watering it too much. Once a day (early morning) is all that is required, although in the hotter summer months of the year 2 or 3 times a day won't hurt so long as there is enough time during the day to have the roots dry before nightfall. Too much water could cause reverse osmosis, where your plant actually bleeds out nutrients from the continually wet roots - the plant will appear to be mal-nourished after a while.

It sounds like the main ingredient you need to have is patience while your Vandas heal from their wounds and wait for hotter weather.

I hope this helps.

gixrj18 · #3 02-23-2009, 01:17 AM

I have to agree with Dave on this one. I grew my Vandas in full sun for most of the summer, and I live in the Tampa area. Vandas (especially bare-root) don't really like to get below around 45-50 degrees....your plants may not be showing signs of too much light, it could be cold damage. The symptoms look very similar...it could be a little sun-burn and a little cold-burn. Also, the first Vanda may have been stressed, or stunted, causing it to grow keikis from the base.
It is nearing time to step up the watering, and start feeding them more nitrogen, they will have to grow then. What do you feed them right now?

peeweelovesbooks · #4 02-23-2009, 10:49 AM

Thanks for your replies. I water them once a day, in the afternoons. I can't in the mornings, as I leave for work too early, and I can't get myself wet. When I water them, I water them until the roots turn green.

I used to use msu but switched to a 20-20-20 mix. How much nitrogen should they be getting? At every watering?

Vanda #1 had the keikis when I bought it, they just got a little bigger since then. But they stopped growing.

rogerman · #5 02-23-2009, 10:57 AM

I'm using 21-21-21+te fertilizer.... It's a good all round food for everything.... 50 grams per 20 litres once a week.

Your fertilizer should be good as well as it has a good strong equal mix

helpmepls · #6 02-23-2009, 12:02 PM

For the root problem, i suggest u should use some hormones like B1...it's effective...and also u can use 21:21:21 or 30:20:10 to boost plant growth and after ur plant becomes healthy with new roots then u can use fertilizers like 10:52:17 to make it flower.

Pls don't mind if i mention is wrong. But i try my best. thx

rogerman · #7 02-24-2009, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helpmepls

For the root problem, i suggest u should use some hormones like B1...it's effective...and also u can use 21:21:21 or 30:20:10 to boost plant growth and after ur plant becomes healthy with new roots then u can use fertilizers like 10:52:17 to make it flower.

Pls don't mind if i mention is wrong. But i try my best. thx

Don't worry, I agree with you