roots and spikes on vanda - Orchid Board

amaiakaberry · #1 10-05-2010, 10:21 AM

When I first got my vanda, it has a flower spike. But after a day or two the roots and leaves kinda shriveled so I decided to cut the flower spike. After a month, the old roots branched into several 1-1 1/2 inch new roots! I don't see any new leaf growth though. But I noticed two possible flower spikes in between the leaves. Is this possible? How would I know that it's doing the flower spike because It wants to die?! I hope that's not the case because it's growing a lot of new roots!?

trdyl · #2 10-05-2010, 12:05 PM

New root growth is a good indicator that the plant it healthy. I suspect that the plant shriveled due to lack of water at first.

Swamper · #3 10-05-2010, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trdyl

New root growth is a good indicator that the plant it healthy. I suspect that the plant shriveled due to lack of water at first.

That sounds right to me. Do you have some pictures?

RosieC · #4 10-05-2010, 05:39 PM

It sounds good to me if you have root growth. Mine seemed to do nothing to begin with, then the roots got growing. Leaf growth and finally a spike have followed but roots were definately the first sign is was happy.

CTB · #5 10-05-2010, 06:03 PM

New roots are great, new eyes on old roots are great, my Vanda is in its second blooming in three months, so it may flower again for you. They also grow roots out from between the leaves right up the stock. I water mine daily. They need lots of water. Leaves will come when the roots are doing their job. Water them till the roots turn green. When they turn green is when they are taking in the water. Some grow lots of new leaves and other types grow two leaves a year.

amaiakaberry · #6 10-07-2010, 05:18 AM

It was bare roots when I got it. Then i potted it on a clay pot. but it didn't look happy so I moved it to a coconut thingy. and it's been a month and it's looking happy? I mean, no more shriveled leaves/roots. I uploaded picture on the gallery. lol, sorry not sure where/how to do it here. -.-

boyong · #7 10-07-2010, 11:26 PM

Hello amaia

your vanda seems to be happy

there are lots of new root growths, try to add some root growth hormone every week until your vanda is well established

amaiakaberry · #8 10-08-2010, 08:53 AM

Hi Boyong, glad to hear from someone who's from the same country

So what kinds of orchids do you grow indoors/outdoors?

I had a big bottle of growth hormone back in the US, I wish I brought it here. lol. Anyway, I just moved here, I have no idea where to buy growth hormones and things.

But thanks to this forum I learned that I can use coconut milk/water as a rooting hormone