Help with my first vanda - Brown spots, lost roots

[adam123]

Hi everyone,
This is my first post on the forum. I've quite recently developed a fascination for orchids, and over a few months, I have gathered a small collection of about 20 orchids, that I grow in my apartment in southern France. I just can't seem to stop buying more! Most of my plants seem to be thriving, with lots of new growth and flowers. However, my Vanda, I believe, is in need of help! I hope some more experienced growers will be able to help me.
First of all, my Vanda is growing in a large glass vase directly under a North facing Velux window and gets a few hours sunshine per day. I water it daily by dunking it in Brita filtered water with some fertilizer. I only recently moved it to this spot. Before, I didn't feel it was getting enough light which is why I moved it. Ever since I moved it to a sunnier spot, it has developed a large amount of black/brownish spots on its higher leaves, almost over night. Is this just due to its new environment and more full sun, or could it be a more serious problem? The spots are mainly located on the top leaves which receive more sun.
Next, I try to remove dead roots as often as possible. I don't see much point leaving them on, but the result is that the amount of roots has halved since I bought it last year. It has however recently started growing a large amount of roots. I suppose my main question is: Is my plant healthy? Am I doing anything wrong?
When I first bought it, I vaporized the leaves daily, but not systematically with filtered water. I noticed a sort of white residue on the main stem. Is this simply due to limescale? What is the best way to remove this?
Enclosed are a few photos to help understand my query (roots and spots), and a picture of it in flower, just for fun!
I hope you'll be able to help me better understand my Vanda's requirements. Thanks everyone!
Adam

[adam123]

I also forgot to ask about reblooming this particular type of orchid… Do you have any advice?

[Leafmite]

The flowers of your vanda are beautiful! I think that as long as you are getting new roots and new leaves at the top and the black spots don't increase in size, the vanda is healthy. I do not know what might be causing the black spots. Here is a web site that I hope will help, a link to an orchid society in Florida: Orchid Pests, Orchid Diseases

Good luck!

[Paul Mc]

I read recently that if they look like freckles then it could be from exposure. New to Vanda's so you might want to double check that. Good luck!!!

[adam123]

Thanks very much for your advice…
If indeed these spots are due to exposure, which I suspect having read similar explanations on line, is it unhealthy for the plant? Should I move it to a less sunny spot or just wait for it to acclimatize?

[Bud]

Your vanda needs warmth and more light(80F in the day and 60F at night) North facing window is not enough maybe if you had a south facing window then put it there or else add a lamp...the cold water droplets left to dry on the leaves are causing those dark spots...the vase culture is working well for you for the roots are fat and robust...let it dry before you water again to avoid bacteria or fungi infestation on the roots.
That vanda loves to feed and drink a lot. Discover a watering/fertilizer regimen for that plant...depending on humidity, temperature and light inside the room. invest on a humidity/temperature battery operated meter and a small oscillating electric fan.
Your kind of vanda blooms whenever it can maybe 4 times a year if youre lucky.

[Vanda lover]

I agree with Bud completely. A North window in not nearly enough light for a vanda. A fan does wonders for these orchids. I have a similar type of orchid and it blooms 3 to 4 times a year. I feed mine once a week year round and this works very well for me.

[Lorraine]

You mentioned that you fertilize each time you water it. Vandas like to be fertilized but once a week should be fine. Otherwise you could burn the roots and leaves. As long as the new white roots look green after watering you might only need to water every other day or so.

I have mine all hanging outside with roots exposed to the air, temp, wind etc. I live in South Florida, so they get watered everyday because they dry out. They get fertilized about 7-10 days when it's warmer and 2x a month when its cooler. Result...everybody blooms.

[nenella]

Thanks for posting Adam. I have had one of these since 2009. Your roots look superb compared to mine, even though mine flowers 4 times a year and is in flower at the moment. I have root growth and it basically won't stop flowering BUT my roots arn't great and It's just struck me reading Lorraine's post ...That what she says too much fert burns the roots!!! is what I have been doing! Thank you Lorraine! So keep on doing what you are doing (but fertilise it less) and you will have no probs as long as you give it a lot more sun (mine travels between a S & SW window - depending on the season)

Also, I would not worry too much about the spots on the leaves. But you need to check it doesn't get worse.
Your plant has got stronger light than she was used to before; which is why she has become spotty. It may be too much right under a Velux /roof light (window)?
If It was my plant I would check when the sun is directly overhead by the shadow/heat test with your hand and then move it if needed?
Please do keep us posted as I am very interested in how you get along.. even though looks like you are doing just fine!

[adam123]

Thanks for all your comments. I feel I should give you more info on the growing conditions of this Vanda.
Firstly, even though it's a North facing window, it's a skylight so the sun hits it for a few hours every day (this is my only possibility as I only have north facing windows!). Being in southern France, the temperatures are well within the range indicated by Bud, except perhaps at night because the temp doesn't drop so much. It's getting around 22/23°C during day time at the moment, and this will rise to at least 30°++ in the summer.
Could the spots really be due to cold water droplets on the leaves? I'm no expert, but if this was the case, shouldn't the plant be covered in spots? Only the top 3 or 4 leaves are spotty, which makes me think it's more likely to be due to exposure as these are the leaves getting the strongest sun…
I don't think I should wait more than 24 hours to water again… I currently water every morning and by midday the roots are completely dry.
I fertilize with a very reduced dose. I thought it would be better for the plant to get small doses of nutrients in every watering rather than a large amount every week or so… Maybe this isn't right, I'm not really sure.
Nenella, could you tell me more about the shadow/heat test? I don't really know what you mean.
Thanks all