Help with my first vanda - Brown spots, lost roots

[RJSquirrel]

if the spots were from cold water damage they would be pitted, indented, rough, not smooth.

the spots since its a purple flower are more than likely pigmentation since I cant spell anthocyanin. anthocyanin has no cell walls and is unstable and the sun breaks the weak chemical bonds within the leaf.

if the roots are going bone dry then you never watered it enough to start with. as I learned today its takes more water than you might think to get the water to the leaf from the root. yeah you watered the roots and they got wet, it ends there.

if the vanda is "SOFT" from growing indoors its going to spot and maybe burn. Vandas can take full sun. You have to slowly harden the leaves by increasing the light slowly each day or week before you give it the max light.

I dont know what your brita filter takes out or leaves behind but IMO I would just use the water straight up with 1/4 strength fertilizer every time you water. put some in the spray bottle and catch the leaves too.

[Vanda lover]

It sounds to me like the spots are very likely from the sun. Now that the sunlight has intensified it is quite possible. I had my vanda too close to my sunblaster light and it has spots from it. With a skylight, it sounds like you are getting good light.

[adam123]

Thanks everyone, that's great advice. I have one last (beginners) question. Is there anything specific to know about reblooming vanda orchids?

[Paphman910]

I wonder if Britta water filter will introduce sodium into the water?

Sodium is not good for orchids.

Paphman910

[Bud]

the plant will rebloom as much as it can...maybe 4 times a year...you are doing the right thing...I water my vandas in the morning before I go to work (really soaking wet and count to 60 while hosing it and then when I come back from work I spray it to dampen it...I soak it for 5 min once a week when I fertilize it...then flush it with water to dissolve any deposits on the roots...
I stop fertilizer if it is in bloom.
only 2 times a month in the colder months...

the trick is to develop large healthy roots so it can sustain the leaves annd get more energy to give to a spike to bloom

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by Paphman910

I wonder if Britta water filter will introduce sodium into the water?

Sodium is not good for orchids.

Paphman910

A Britta filter wouldn't have sodium.

[adam123]

Hi everyone. I thought I'd do a little update on the vanda I was asking you about a little while ago (go to the beginning of the thread for photos). The dark spots don't seem to be getting any worse, so I assume they are indeed due to an environmental change… The new leaves aren't developing any spots at all, so I'm not really concerned any more.
Even though there is no sign of flowering (patience, patience!), I'm quite happy with the plant's progress.
There is however one thing I noticed, and I'd like to know what you guys think: one of the new roots is a double! Is this common? I attached a photo…

[nenella]

WOW!
You have siamese twin roots!! never seen this
before. Thanks for posting and congratulations on your growing!

[Vanda lover]

I have never seen that before either! They look fat and healthy, though. Patience is difficult. I bought an asco suksamran spot in spike last year and it dropped it's spike while adjusting to the change in environment.
The plant is fat and healthy now so it's really pissing me off that it still hasn't bloomed!

[adam123]

Exactly! I'd really like to know if there's anything particular to do with vandas to induce blooming...