fertilizing bare root vandas

[BradGC]

Most of my Vanda's are totally bare root, I fertalize them with balanced chemical fertilizer and amino-k. I wanted to try start using some organic fertilizer like sea weed extract. I read on the side that it's a soil conditioner, so would it have any positive influence on bare root vandas?

[tucker85]

I've had excellent results with seaweed extract on my vandas. It's loaded with micro-nutrients and growth hormones. The most noticeable effect was more roots and larger roots. Seaweed extract is a supplement and not a fertilizer. It's still important to use a good fertilizer.

[Vanda lover]

I add a little to my regular fertilizer. They really love it.

[Pilot]

I also use sea weed extract in mine. I dunk my Vandas into a five gallon bucket. Their roots coil around inside and they fit perfectly. One thing I noticed when I added these types of additives is that the old roots would branch, sometimes heavily, and the new roots would come out pretty fast and really fat. I grow inside though and even with my grow area having a lot of humidity, the roots never get very long. But they certainly do the job.

[silken]

I agree with all of the above. My Vanda is in a net pot with just a bit of loose sphagnum moss and bark chunks to retain some moisture. The roots were quite dehydrated and the leaves leathery when I got it in Feb.

I have been using seaweed in the water along with my regular fertilizer and I have roots sprouting from old roots and old roots extending. You can see a sort of ring or narrow part where the old root tip was and now big fat new sections starting to grow.

[Susie11]

I agree with all of the above. My Vanda had one root when I got it last year but now I have an abundance of them since using seaweed extract - no blooms but lots of roots, sub roots and new leaves.

[CR7cristiano]

Well honestly with proper fertilization with a balanced fert or a tropical specially formulated fert you will get the same results. While seaweed extract promotes root growth superthrive promotes several types of growth. The difference being seaweed extract would be considered natural; although the mere fact that you can add superthrive (vitamins) to an aquaponic system with your koi and they remain healthy as ever lead me to believe neither can hurt.
I fertilize my vandas daily considering the days are warm & temps are high, and even without adding extracts or vitamins to my regimen i get incredible root growth.
What does this say, besides the fact that maybe if conditions are bad or your plant is in a poor state then probably seaweed extract is good to have, otherwise it may not even be necessary really. my older hanging vanda roots are over 5 feet long and almost to the ground; this is post my discovery of superthrive.
I think it boils down to how happy your vanda is with your conditions and a lot of feeding.

[Gage]

I agree that vandas love a dose of liquid seaweed every once in a while.

[FSUOrchids]

I've been having luck with balanced fertilizer in a pantihose package. Seems to be doing the trick, as both of my vandas are adding new root tips nearly every day.

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by FSUOrchids

I've been having luck with balanced fertilizer in a pantihose package. Seems to be doing the trick, as both of my vandas are adding new root tips nearly every day.

What medium do you have your vandas in?