Vanda questions

[Orquiadicto]

I've got this Vanda that I posted before (picture 1 and 2). I grew it in vase culture, but since a few weeks I've got her outside in bright shade. I soak her once a week in a bucket for about 20 minutes and I mist her two or three times a day. The leaves of the motherplant look a bit dehydrated. Not all the roots it has turn green when they get wet. Does this mean they are dead? In this case, should I cut them off? Perhaps soaking once a week is too little?
I've got this other one (Kulvadee fragrant "black spot") whose roots all turn green when the're wet (picture 3). Finally, I've got this other Vanda that I bought quite cheap because it was almost done blooming and I got it for less than a third of the price it marked. I think I've mistreated her and let her be too cold in winter so she went dormant quite a long time. I've got her outside now as well and 4 weeks ago I gave her her first bath with a rooting hormone. Since then, she's growing two roots. Next Saturday she's up for the second bath with rooting hormone (Goldbird Roots the label says. In Spain it's sold under the name Eco Raiz). I hope I can get her realy happy again.

[Susie11]

I only have one vanda -a coerulea- and she is also grown in a vase. I have had her for about three months so I can't offer you any advice. Rooting hormones do work though don't they? I have been giving liquid seaweed extract to my vanda and she has put out one thick root from the stem and about seven sub roots from other roots. I hope that (what with the rain and all) I can get her to bloom for me this year although I doubt it somehow.

[Bud]

do not cut the roots, just spray it with hydrogen peroxide every other day to rule out fungi infestation....your watering regimen is good; besides Barcelona this time of year is very hot and humid....you can hang the vanda in the shade outdoors and spray them in the morning and in the afternoon....soak it with water and fertilizer once a week in the vase....
go easy on the root hormones....you might get deformed flowers and leaves....once you see there are new roots coming out stop the hormones; it means it has done its job.

[Susie11]

Thanks for that Bud. I shall not give it anymore but does that also apply to liquid seaweed extract?

[Bud]

the seaweed extract together with fertilizer will give you larger and more roots and new leaves to gain energy for the plant to spike....
*root hormones is another ballgame:when the hormone has done its job=then stop it already because it might deform your flowers and leaves....root hormones are essential if the roots are dying or if the plant is sick

[Susie11]

OK. I don't use rooting hormones -just seaweed so I will just carry on doing that then. Thanks Bud.

[tucker85]

All your vandas look healthy to me. I wouldn't cut off any roots even if you think they're dead.
Liquid seaweed and rooting hormones contain the same types of compounds. So if you're using seaweed you don't need any other rooting hormone. Liquid seaweed along with a good fertilizer once a week is perfect for vandas.
I don't think misting the leaves does much but misting the roots every day is a good practice with vandas. They like some moisture every day during the summer.
Bright shade is great but if you have a spot where they can get some direct sunlight in the morning or in the evening it will help them to bloom. Good luck.

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[Orquiadicto]

Thank you all for your answers. I have used rooting hormones only once and only on one plant. I think I'll use it one more time to see if the plant puts out some more new roots. I think I'm going to use it also on a phal with a very poor rooting system.

[Gage]

I hate to be the odd one out here, but if you have any roots that are completely shriveled up I would cut them off. I have bought Vandas that appeared to have many roots, but after cutting all of the dead ones off (completely dried/shriveled/brown) I could see much better how many living roots there are and therefore which roots I am actually watering! No need to cut into the living roots unless you suspect Fusarium.

[Orquiadicto]

Originally Posted by Gage

I hate to be the odd one out here, but if you have any roots that are completely shriveled up I would cut them off. I have bought Vandas that appeared to have many roots, but after cutting all of the dead ones off (completely dried/shriveled/brown) I could see much better how many living roots there are and therefore which roots I am actually watering! No need to cut into the living roots unless you suspect Fusarium.

The roots are not shriveled, they simply don't turn green when I water them. I'll have a proper look when I soak her next Saturday to see if there are air bubbles coming out of these roots. I guess if there are bubbles, there is an exchange of air and water and therefore the roots ares still alive, or am I mistaken?