Shrivelling Vanda roots with black tips

[Neverend]

I have a Vanda insignis and Rhynchorides Mem. Suranaree. The Vanda insignis roots are a little dead beyond hope in my opinion, though the plant is miraculously green and alive. My rhynchorides is also starting to exhibit these black tips and shrivelling roots.

I thought humidity would be the problem, but even after efforts to increase humidity this problem still persists. I fertilise them with gaviota at 1/2 strength twice weekly, and I give them indirect sunlight. I water them with tap water, that has chlorine and fluorine and other minerals in it (I didn't add these in), so can anyone diagnose the problem?

[Charles]

Usually fertilizer. Start doing it once a week for about a month and see. If you push too hard, this is common among vandas. Make sure you flush thoroughly with plenty of water every day in between feedings. I use a hose set on low spray. Like good, soaking rain. it's very hot here, so I do it as much as three to four times a day if I can.

[Neverend]

Okay, I'll cut down on fertilising the vandas... thanks a lot for the advice!

[Neverend]

After cutting down on fertilising, I realise that the roots are still on the dry side, been watering and misting many times a day but it just dries out so easily.

I'm thinking of wrapping a wet towel just over the roots, do you think the poorer air movement and the towel touching the roots will cause rots and such to the vandas, although the plant itself still gets good circulation?

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[Tricho]

Neverend

I would go for moss (or similar) around the roots. But make sure it dries in a few hours.

[Neverend]

I thought of using moss, but the problem is I can't really 'cling' them to the roots, so I'm wondering if I can use a towel to envelope the roots such that air circulation is reduced to improve humidity.

[Tricho]

Perhaps using a basket with sphagnum would work.

[Neverend]

They are in a basket, unfortunately it's the roots that creep out of the basket that are too dry, so I think I'll have no other choice but to go with the towel, hopefully it'll work...

[cneos]

Are the blackened roots inside the basket? Do you have photo?
Do the roots that are creeping out of the basket turn green when you water them? If they do, leave them alone ... they're getting what they need - a wet towel won't help.

[Gladys47]

I have been putting one of those cut flower water tubes on my vandas old roots. I move it to a different root every few days. I have to refill the tube daily and a couple of the old roots look to be starting to grow again. I could be wrong. A little to soon to tell, but at any rate it doesn't seem to be doing any harm. Gladys