brown tips on vanda

[fishmommy]

A month ago I sold a vanda to a novice grower.
Now she is reporting that she's soaking it daily and giving it medium indirect light, but that all the growing tips have turned brown.

What would make the tips turn brown....to much light?
I have never had this problem so I am stumped.

The vanda is bare-root.

Thanks

[Bud]

browning of the leaftips is either a fertilizer overdose crystallizing on the roots or a humidity issue.
medium indirect light is not enough. Vandas need bright shade. It can be outdoors for the next 2 months of warm summer til laborday weekend then taken indoors....
the east coast can be hot and humid in the summer that Vandas love....11am to 3pm direct sunlight will burn leaves....
can you also check the water being used if it has mineral deposits then rainwater and distilled water must be used.

[Gage]

I'm not sure, but is it possible that she is chaffing the root tips when she soaks the plant? That could definitely make the root tips turn brown and shrivel.

[Bud]

right, Gage....the root tips also do not like cold water.... give it tepid water or room temp water

[Gage]

Originally Posted by Bud

right, Gage....the root tips also do not like cold water.... give it tepid water or room temp water

Interesting. I haven't heard that before. My tap water fluctuates between warm and cool. Never cold like northern winter tap water. So my question is how cold is cold enough to shock the root tips?

[sweetjblue]

The question I would have to ask the new owner is when she is watering daily is she also using fertilizer and if so at what concentration as it sounds like a fert problem, least to me.

Judi

[Bud]

@Gage: my cold tap water is really bordering to icy cold; especially if it runs for a bit....just as my warm water tap gets steamy hot if running for about 3 minutes....tepid or room temp is a combination of the hot/cold that feels comfortable tested on my elbow skin

[fishmommy]

I have asked her to clarify whether she means root tips or leaf tips. I relayed your ideas as well.
Thanks a lot!

[Gage]

Originally Posted by Bud

@Gage: my cold tap water is really bordering to icy cold; especially if it runs for a bit....just as my warm water tap gets steamy hot if running for about 3 minutes....tepid or room temp is a combination of the hot/cold that feels comfortable tested on my elbow skin

I see. My water is never cold like that. But good to know for future reference.

[Bud]

but if you water outdoors froma hose: the water will be the temperature of the atmosphere.
Florida tap water dont really get to be freezing cold....the waterpipes get warmed by the sun and your zone area seldom gets frost