Considering Taking the Risk of De-Basketing my Vanda...

[Kateana]

I'm officially a unhappy Vanda owner. It's sad to say considering that other than Phalaenopsis, Vanda's were my first orchid loves. I absolutely adore them with their exotic and unusual blooms and gorgeous hanging root systems, but, like most people, they're giving me one hell of a run for my money. I've only ever owned 2, one of which I lost late last year. It was basically reduced to a leafless brittle stalk of nothingness. I think a fungus got it... Anyways, I'm posting this because I need your help on ideas of how to take my Vanda Pachara's Delight out of her basket. Putting her in there was one of the biggest mistakes I've ever made in my orchid husbandry experience. She was shipped to me bare root and I had a extra basket that, like a fool, I decided to stick her in. Back then she was starting her new growing season so new roots came in and she grew around it somewhat. Now, I hate the idea of having a Vanda in a basket since I go to all these orchid shows and local nurseries and see the rows of Vandas hanging beautifully with nothing to hold up their creeping roots. I've heard about the risks involved in doing so, and I've heard one can let their Vanda sit in water so the roots peel off easily and I'd like to hear more on this. Also, If I decide not to remove her, I'd like to get some advice from experienced Vanda owners on how to restore my Pachara to her former rooty glory. I kinda screwed up on the "Vandas are heavy feeders" saying and apparently over fed cause it burned some of her roots and leaves. She's bloomed once before (she was shipped in bud) and I just want to make her healthy and happy again. I've attatched some links so you all can view her in her present state. By the way, I water her once a day till her roots are soaked (although it always seems so dry here in Florida and she dries right up) and I have'nt fed for months since that fertilizer burn I ccidentally inflicted upon her, and she gets full sun from about sunrise to mid-day. Let me know what you think, I'm always considering giving up on Vandas and just sticking with the Phals, and Catts.
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Thankyou!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

1. Yes, wetting the roots will make it easier for the roots to be peeled off the basket, but it still must be done carefully.

2. Even if you wet the roots in order to remove the plant from the basket, you may still run into difficult problems. I recommend just destroying the pot and whatever stubborn root that doesn't want to easily let go of the pot just leave a piece of the pot on it.

3. Have you tried Vanda species such as Vanda coerulea? These are inexpensive and are the basis of many of the Vanda hybrids available today.

In my opinion, this has got to be one of the easier Vandas to grow.

[Kateana]

I love the Vanda coerulea but have never tried growing that species before. I'm honestly just too worried that I will fail them...

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Kateana

I love the Vanda coerulea but have never tried growing that species before. I'm honestly just too worried that I will fail them...

I don't see why you would fail with this species. My track record with Vanda species is far better than my track record with Vanda hybrids if that says anything at all. And you seem to be able to establish your Vanda hybrid fairly well, even if there are a few hiccups along the way.

Species are not necessarily harder to grow compared to hybrids. This idea is just hearsay and has very little bearing on the actual truth.

With that said, Vanda coerulea is actually a very temperature tolerant species that can take temperatures as low as 36 F for very brief periods of time (to be specific, a couple days or so, up to perhaps 4 days max). The average low that it can tolerate consistenly for long periods of time is 45 F. I have had my Vanda coerulea for 2 yrs I believe, and I grow it outdoors all year round in Southern California.

[Angurek]

Try growing them in plastic baskets. Plastic baskets don't decompose and don't collect calcium deposits as do wood baskets.

What I do with clingy plants is I remove as much of the old pot and medium as I can. If a bunch of healthy roots refuse to let go of the pot surface, I simply put them into the new pot with the shards. It isn't pretty, but at least I don't have to cut off perfectly healthy roots.

Orchids tend to be clingy in wooden baskets and terra cotta pots. This is the reason why I've stopped using both and prefer plastic.

I feel for you, Kateana - I'm a vanda killer myself (in fact, I started a thread a while back about that). I also find them to be very high-maintenance and unrewarding, though my new plants seem to be hanging on decently. There seems to be a stereotype that Florida is an ideal place for Vandas, but I disagree with it. While the summer heat and humidity are a plus for them, the winter cold fronts and water shortages mess them up.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Angurek

Try growing them in plastic baskets. Plastic baskets don't decompose and don't collect calcium deposits as do wood baskets.

This is a reasonable option. Why not try out what he's advising?

Originally Posted by Angurek

...I also find them to be very high-maintenance and unrewarding, though my new plants seem to be hanging on decently.

There're ways around the high maintenance...potting in an actual pot is one way.

It's true they aren't very floriferous. When they do bloom, it's breath taking.

Originally Posted by Angurek

There seems to be a stereotype that Florida is an ideal place for Vandas, but I disagree with it.

Only you guys know your climate best. Stereotypes are generalities after all, however true or false they may be under whatever circumstance.

I kinda understand, I've made a couple stops in Miami on my way to the Caribbean islands during fall and the tail end of winter, so I have some basic knowledge of what it's like during the winters in that general area.

Originally Posted by Angurek

While the summer heat and humidity are a plus for them, the winter cold fronts and water shortages mess them up.

Shouldn't be a problem for V. coerulea, it goes dormant (it only goes dormant, it does not go deciduous; dormancy and going deciduous are not necessarily synonymous to each other!).

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

As far as Vandas are concerned...

They're just slow growing to begin with.

I've personally had better results growing them in real pots versus the net baskets and the wood slat baskets. Especially with the whole clear plastic pot thing, it's easier to keep track of root rot and to allow the roots to photosynthesize properly.

However, if you're saying the results you're getting from potting the Vandas are not to your liking, maybe semi-hydroponics is the way to go for you if you haven't already done so.

Of note:

I've never really done the s/h thing. So even though I put it out there as a possibility to try, I'm only speaking up about it because I'm aware of it's existence and I am by no means speaking in terms of experience.

[Kateana]

Wow, that was alot of reading!
But thanks you two for all your input!
I'm going to keep trying with my Vanda and try to be patient and see how things play out. I would LOVE to try a Coerulea and maybe I will when I'm feeling a bit more confident. I have actually heard that Vanda species are better to start off with rather than hybrids due to their tolerence. Perhaps I should have listened. But, all in all, I'm going to give it another shot, as for the removing vanda from her basket, I like the sound of destroying the basket around the roots rather than trying to taker her roots off the basket. And you will all certainly be hearing from me if I get a re-bloom!!
Thankyou again!

[Lorraine]

Hi Kateana,

I have several vandas and some are in baskets and some hanging on a metal stake. I have found that removing a vanda from any type basket plastic or wood really sets the vanda back a lot. I lost a really nice one because I removed it from a plastic basket. Should have just set it into a wood basket and secured it to the bottom. If my guys are in a wood basket they send out roots and attach to the wood and on the really hot days there is some moisture for them, also some chunks of charcoal are in the baskets. They also will have roots grow and hang down throught the bottom and sides of the basket. Your pictures look similar to some of my younger guys and if you leave them alone they will reward you. I will send you pictures if you want to know how to attach them as they grow larger and need support. Mine grow outside and get a regular fertilizing every week and since it's been really cold every other week. Watered every other day. When warmer 65 and above, watered every day. I would let your baskets alone and when they start to fall apart let mother nature help you clean them off. Best advice is use this one as a learning curve and do the next ones differently. Hope this helps. PS. one of my guys sends out roots only sideways so I mounted it on a palm tree. It is now my tree hugger

[Kateana]

Thankyou for your comment Lorraine! No matter which way I would take her out of the basket it would be more than difficult. I may just keep it there. I tend to stick to the Catt Alliance of chids, they do extremely well with me, but like I said, I adore the Vandas...perhaps I'll build a collection slowly. Verrryy slowly.