Shrivelling Vanda roots with black tips

[Neverend]

The blackened root portions are the root tips, and after decreasing the fertilising it has stopped.

Right now the problem is that, everytime after I water, it dries up so quickly, that though I wet it till all the roots are green, it turns white and dry in just an hour! Worse of all they're not liking the dryness, especially with my rhynchorides losing its flowers so easily...

[cneos]

The roots going white again in an hour is normal. Vandae are not water plants - in nature they have a wet/dry cycle.
We live in NH and grow our vandae in a greenhouse where we can control the climate and predatory insects and animals year-round. Temps range from 55 to 85, humidity 75%-85%, and fans keep air circulating all the time. Greenhouse is freestanding but even with several trees nearby, white-wash shading is a given for the 'hot spots'. In summertime, all vandae are showered in the am; on especially bright, hot days, they may get more soakings at noon and again no later than 5. In winter, vandae are showered in the morning daily to every other day when the sun is shining - we do not water them on cloudy days. A wise orchid-grower once told me that he's killed more plants with kindness (overwatering) than neglect (drought).

[Neverend]

Ah man... my humidity here is dropping to a range of 58%-63% due to hot weather... really don't know what to do now -_-

[christina waines]

The Key with Vandas is getting the humidity high enough and consistant enough to keep them happy 70% during the day and prefferably higher at night. I would suggest getting a humidifier and have them right over the top of it. In my experience they do not like anything over or on their roots period. also I soak mine daily in a bucket for 20 to 30 mins in a very very dilute water and fert mix. So far I've been pretty successful getting them to bloom 2 times last year. I have also rescued some from a client and brought them back from the brink. They were in pots!

[cneos]

Neverend, where is here? And what is your growing space like? Enclosed? Open to the outdoors?
Our greenhouse is 14 ft x 14 ft ... Jaybird fogger (automatic on/off) keeps humidity level above 70%; showering the plants (and not caring if water gets on the floor also contributes to humidity. brick and gravel floor) also helps with humidity.
I agree with Christina that vandae don't like things (bark, moss, or towels on the roots). We've been successful growing almost all of our 150 vandae bare root in baskets (without media) or on hangers. We've lost our share of plants, but their death is due to causes other than dessication.

[Neverend]

It's open to the outdoors, so the humidity's dependent on the environment, and no I can't use humidifiers technically because they're outside my house (I live in an apartment).

I'm still trying to find a way to make it healthier though, thinking of getting more plants to increase the humidity in my growing area... maybe I'll start dunking the whole plant into water for a short while.

[Ironwood]

Vandas are Ok down to 40% humidity, you just have to water (mist) them more often.

[Neverend]

Okay.. then maybe I think temperature is also causing a problem, lately the days and nights have been soaring over 30 degrees Celsius...

[tanira2]

I have a Vanda that was given to me in a massive glass vase (my first Vanda i was a little nervous as it was perfect). I was a bit like you and freaked out about the roots etc and I am still a little concerned that, although, I have now raised it to the top of the vase and I spray the roots daily it should still be in a basket. Saying all of that it has survived with me now for a year and is growing new foliage and looks strong (What I’m trying to say is I’m no expert on vandas but I have learnt from my experience and a lot of reading). I wouldn't stress out about it too much. The roots do turn white again very quickly after you have sprayed/watered them (because of my extreme lack of humidity I spray mine daily then soak it once/twice a week even after soaking the roots for 20 mins or so, they turn white very quickly but they look more plump). If you have ever seen any on display you will notice most of their roots are a white colour even when in an orchid house with the right humidity (the whitness is just their usual colour) and they flower. I wouldn't worry too much if there white they are healthy and that is the main thing.
You also mentioned about it loosing flowers quickly, I'm not sure how quickly it loses them to know if this is a problem or not. When mine first finished flowering I wasn't sure if i had done something wrong but the flowers are usually big and showy and therefore just don't last nearly as long as others say like the Phelanopsis that can last a very long time (although you may know that).
Any ways i hope that helps a little

[tanira2]

Also one more thing I have read a number of times orchids much prefer rain water but im not sure if thats just because of English tap water and its consistancys???