Hello Everyone!

[lucky013]

ty for the help!
Yes it does have two fans.. Not much green when I water..
I think I am going to try what was suggested with the cutting and putting in a basket with no medium. How do I cauterize? Am I actually cutting the stem as well?
thanks,
lucky

[cneos]

Do both fans have leaves and roots ... if yes, that's a good thing as it indicates that the plant is trying to survive!

When you cut the plant, follow the main growth (stem) down to the top of the medium and make your first clean cut there (sterilize your cutter before making the first cut). You'll probably see black or dying tissue in the the cut stem. Make subsequent cuts, a little at a time until you see green, healthy tissue. Then cauterize by brushing isoproyl alcohol on the wound and flaming it with a butane light until the wound is slightly charred. Pot it in a basket and voila.

Be patient, this is not a miracle cure, but it does work.

[lucky013]

I am going to do the operation tomorrow. What kind of basket is best??.. She was always in a clay pot.. She is also about 3 ft high. I guess after I cut she wont be quite as tall but close. also with no medium in the basket do I just spray the roots to water???
thanks again!

[cneos]

Look for a slatted vanda basket - those that are teak are durable and rarely break down. When plant outgrows, the basket, you put/coax the whole whole thing into a slightly larger basket. (Many of my vandae still have their original 4" baskets)

The important thing when re-basketing / re-potting is to keep things evenly moist, evenly aerated, evenly lighted, evenly tempered (no hot/cold extremes) until the plant re-establishes itself. If done right, one of the first things that you'll notice is lush green root tips, even before watering.

Good luck and if you need help or reassurance, there's many of us at the OB to help out!

[lucky013]

thank youfor the detail of your response. Here is another pic of my vanda. It shows the whole plant. The stems are close to 36 inches a lot of that being bare... Is that ok?
I still cut where you suggested? I found a store that sells the vanda baskets. I dont know if mine will fit in a 4" but I will get a better I idea when I get to the store.
lucky

[Ross]

I make my own baskets (not for Vandas) from red cedar. I saw narrow slats and then measure the size I want and glue them up. I then drill down through the corners and add a metal wire to make the basket more permanent, although "yellow glue" is pretty waterproof and very long-lasting.

[cneos]

I've marked your photo - looks like the second fan starts just above the root mass (before the leafless stems).

Make first cut where I've shown on photo, then set the plant (roots part) into a basin of room temperature water for at least half an hour. This helps plump up healthy roots, making them less brittle and prone to breaking while you're working the plant.

Next nip away at the main growth stem, an inch or so at a time until you get green, healthy tissue. Your final cut may end up being as shown (in green) - you want to be sure that there is at least an inch of single stem before the second fan splits off.

Cauterize and put in basket or hang on wire.

Vandae do not like to have roots disturbed (now I tell you) - so if you are to use a basket, start with a 6".

Before using the basket, soak it overnight - (you want roots to draw moisture from the basket, not the other wat around.)

It's doubtful that the leafless part of the fans will grow new leaves, but possible for new roots or keikis to develop.

[cneos]

Nice job Ross ... the hand-made baskets always last longer!

[lucky013]

..... somehow I ended up with a dup post.. sorry..

[lucky013]

Wow. very impressive .. making my own basket isnt an option right now. I am a chef ..free time usually never happens.. I am grateful for everyones input to my first thread here. It feels like a very nice community of caring folks! Imagine.. no one has said "use the search feature" yet! Actually, I have done a lot of reading and that was why I chose OC to do my posting.. Hopefully I will be of a help to someone else in the near future here!
The only basket they had was a 10 ".. I hope that will work. I am soaking it now. Does Ph make a difference? I am going to make the cuts, soak and cauterize. I will try and take pics along the way just in case anyone is interested! I will then keep everyone posted with pics along the way of her road to better health!
thanks a million for the help everyone!