Top of Vanda fell off :(

[thepurpleorange]

So, being fairly new to orchids, I was very surprised and disappointed to find the top of my Vanda fallen off when I returned home after being away for a week.

After doing some internet research, I realised this must be crown rot? I think it must have been since it's the rainy season here and the it sometimes rains very heavily in the night as well.

The plant is now producing a keiki near the bottom (yay!) and the roots are very healthy, all with active tips.

some questions!
- will the plant be ok?!
- is crown rot most likely due to water settling in the crown or is this some kind of indication of an unhealthy plant? (i.e. bad culture)
- can the top that fell off be used to make another plant?

I sorta freaked out today when i found the top fallen off and I just need to know everything's gonna be ok!!! lol

thanks all

[FairyInTheFlowers]

To answer your questions.
-Yes, if the plant is making new roots wnd a kiekie, it is fine.
-From the conditions you have described, it was most likely from the rain. You should cut off all mushiness and cover the cuts with cinnamon.
-If the top has several leaves and some roots, it may suited a setback, but ot should keep growing. But if it is only a few leaves, and no roots, it will be much more difficult, and it could take several years to get it to booming sized, so unless you want to struggle, it might be best to toss the top. Do you have any pictures?

[mmursuli]

Vandas can suffer from crown rot?!!!!!

[thepurpleorange]

Originally Posted by TheBlazingAugust

To answer your questions.
-Yes, if the plant is making new roots wnd a kiekie, it is fine.
-From the conditions you have described, it was most likely from the rain. You should cut off all mushiness and cover the cuts with cinnamon.
-If the top has several leaves and some roots, it may suited a setback, but ot should keep growing. But if it is only a few leaves, and no roots, it will be much more difficult, and it could take several years to get it to booming sized, so unless you want to struggle, it might be best to toss the top. Do you have any pictures?

thank you for your response! I feel a lot better!

Actually the top that fell off does not have any roots. I've attached a pic for you to see. I've also attached pics of the rest of the plant. The last one is what it looked like when it bloomed a couple months ago...

I've read that putting some hydrogen peroxide in the crown is good to prevent crown rot? The plant is outdoors and receives a lot of rain so it's gonna be hard to control it but I will try!

@mmursuli - I know!! i just found out!!!!

[FairyInTheFlowers]

Okay, the top portion is way too small, I think I would just chuck it. Yes hydrogen peroxide is good to treat for crown rot. As for controlling crown rot, you will just have to try covering it during prolonged rain storms. Anything with a monopodial growth habit can develop crown rot.

[mmursuli]

Good Luck!

[thepurpleorange]

Originally Posted by TheBlazingAugust

Okay, the top portion is way too small, I think I would just chuck it. Yes hydrogen peroxide is good to treat for crown rot. As for controlling crown rot, you will just have to try covering it during prolonged rain storms. Anything with a monopodial growth habit can develop crown rot.

thanks! will spray some on the top...

one more question: is it important to shelter the keiki from bright/direct light? i.e. should I treat it like a seedling... protecting it while it's small?

[stefpix]

what about hanging it upside down so the roots can get soaked by the rain but the water will not sit in between the leaves?

[mmursuli]

Originally Posted by stefpix

what about hanging it upside down so the roots can get soaked by the rain but the water will not sit in between the leaves?

interesting idea. I wonder if anyone here has tried that.

[stefpix]

I bet in nature the do not grow upright but probably sideways at some angle, so they get soaked but the water runs off the leaves