Need help with Vanda

[Brooke]

Originally Posted by BillieG

This is my second Vanda. I killed the first one from underwatering, I guess, and wanted to try again with the vase method.

I have a blue Pakchong that I bought in spike. It is in a vase and it's roots do not seem to get really green and swell as much as I thought they should. I water it every day or other day with RO letting it soak for 30 minutes to an hour. I spray the top roots above the basket once a day. Still, the roots are thin and grey and get more so as time goes by. I put a few drops of KLN and pinch of fertilizer in the water--very weak

I can't imagine I am over watering because the roots don't swell much and get green. What little they do goes away by the next day and they are thin and hard and gray again.

The blooms are still on they plant, so no bud blast here. What in the world am I doing wrong? My roots look worse daily, and I have already lost half of them--they turned into hard sticks that wouldn't hold water, so I trimmed them off.

The only thing you have done wrong is not giving it enough water. It needs to have massive water daily and then be dry by the next day.

I don't expect my Vanda roots to swell. Don't cut off any root just yet - a dry root might branch and send out another growing tip. Unless the root is totally shriveled, it can still feed the plant.

I don't know your location in the States but strong sun in the morning or late afternoon is needed to successfully rebloom your Vanda.

Brooke

[BradGC]

Before being too vigilant, bare in mind that when a vanda is in bloom, the roots are semi dormant and also when you put a vanda in a new location they can drop a few bottom leaves as well as a few roots. I don't think either the fertilizer will be absorbed at this stage.
Fungal and bacterial problems are also at the opposite side of the scale of under watering. The roots won't stay green for long after watering and the natural velamen gives it that silvery grey colour.
After giving it a mild fungi and bacteria treatment I'd just let it settle, water once a day in the morning and keep it in one spot.
Some Vanda's look dehydrated when they're in a bit of shock but will come right with patience.

Good luck!

(They sometimes do better when ignored slightly than being over preened)

[CR7cristiano]

Moving an established vanda to a new location wont cause it to drop leaves unless the night time temperatures are lower than its previous location. I would say this can be the case with semi-teretes as they are most often put in full sun, but for a strap leaf that assuming you dont put it in intense sun and have it in a new location that is semi-shaded it will be fine.
When watering, do so in the early morning (7-9am). Orchids are actively absorbing during this time. Also fertilize at this time (drench roots with fresh water first).
Superthrive is another thing that i recommend to be added once a week to your regimen. Find a spot, or 2 if you live somewhere that experiences the winter seasons, and just leave it be. (lots of bright indirect light and dappled sunlight.

Oh Brad, my Gordon Dillon has put on quite a show this spring!

[BradGC]

Nice to hear it, That's still one of my favorite plants!
My little one is a good year or 2 from flowering

[CR7cristiano]

I'm on vacation...can't wait to see it when I get back.

[Spook In Spain]

Hi there
Read your post regarding soaking the roots for 24 hours, i have recently aquired a Vanda Blue/Purple about 4ft tall and all the roots are like twigs, there are 2 or 3 which have since i started misting it have grown new roots which are about 5-6 inches, there are others starting on other pieces, would you recommend a soaking for 24 hours to bring more of it back to life. The plant has flowers which look good and strong still
regards
Steve

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[CR7cristiano]

15-30 min soak n a water & superthrive mx once will do wonders.

[Spook In Spain]

Hi there

Thanks for the info, have put it in a bucket with a diluted liquid fertiliser and will see what happens, also where the old flower spikes have been cut off what happen here, do they just rot away from the main stem

thanks

[CR7cristiano]

They will just dry up.