Palm Tree Vanda

[FrankP999]

What is the best way to rejuvenate this vanda with a tall stalk like a palm tree? Thanks

[Junebug]

Frequent mistings, and a weekly dose of fertilizer should improve growth. Vandas perform better when they have lots of roots. Watering the leafless stem will encourage new roots to emerge. They need good air circulation around their roots. How much sun exposure are you giving her? Can you post a close up shot of the leaves. They look splotchy so you might have other issues.

[tucker85]

I agree with Junebug. I water my vandas every morning and fertilize once a week. More roots is what you should be trying get right now. There are some products that can help but are not necessary. My favorite is Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed but KLN and Superthrive as well as any seaweed or kelp supplements may encourage root growth. Those supplements are not fertilizers. You still need to fertilize. I also agree with Junebug about the leaves. You may need to use some insecticide soap for a couple of weeks in a row to get rid of mites and other critters. Good luck.

[FrankP999]

Thanks. I will get a better pic saturday. Would wrapping the stem in sphagnum moss like when you air-layer help?

I have kln so I will mix a batch in my hand held sprayer.

[tucker85]

I don't think I would use sphagnum moss. Vandas usually like the roots to be out in the air. Do you put it outdoors for the summer?

[cday2inflorida]

Wait till you get some good root growth out of the fans and then make the cut below The bottom half will probably throw offshoots

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You can also grow Vandas in either a net pot or a clear plastic orchid pot with large grade bark chips.

It might also help to know what kind of Vanda you have in the future.

Some Vandas are tolerant of cooler temperatures, while others must be kept warm.

[FrankP999]

It is labeled "Vanda Panchara Delight". It is outdoors and gets direct sun from 9am-1pm

Thanks

Frank

[cday2inflorida]

Frank...Bump up your humidity and give some strong light (not full sun) and you should see some root growth.
Remember while Vandas like warm weather they do well with a little temperature swing at night. They hate cold weather and will quit producing roots and new growth.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Your Vanda [Vanda Panchara Delight] is a complex hybrid involving the species V. coerulea, quite possibly V. tesselata, and V. (Euanthe) sanderiana. Unfortunately I do not know how the percentages of each species in its heritage breaks down, but it appears to have a heavy genetic influence that leans toward V. coerulea.

V. coerulea has the ability to tolerate much cooler temperatures than either V. tesselata or V. sanderiana. The coolest temperature that I would feel comfortable advising others to grow V. coerulea at is 36 F. Anything lower than that and it gets riskier and riskier.

V. tesselata grows more intermediate. While I've never grown V. tesselata, I believe the min temperature for this particular plant is probably around 50 F.

So regarding temperature for your particular Vanda, I wouldn't expose your plant to anything lower than 50 F, just to be on the safe side.

However, I think that your Vanda may not like the direct sun exposure at 11:45 am - 1 pm. Direct sun during 11:45 am onwards till 5 pm can be way too strong and can give the leaves on your Vanda sun burn. Particularly if you are growing orchids in an area that is closer in latitude to the Tropic of Cancer, the Tropic of Capricorn, or the equator; and particularly during the summer.