Need rescue help from vanda pro's.

[Ray]

I have a very special vanda that got extremely desiccated. It has no viable roots, and the "stalk" is absolutely covered with the dried remanants of old leaf bases, making it look a bit like a palm tree. It has some green leaf growth from the top, but I'd really like to get it into better shape, and some active root growth.

Any proven suggestions out there?

I have soaked it, moved it to a reduced light level with very high humidity, and it now it being watered well, but I'm seeing no reaction.

[Jayfar]

I assume you've already tried soaking it in a KelpMax solution. I know where you can get a good deal on it... Oh, wait...

Seriously though, your KelpMax has given me generally good results on my few Vandas, although mostly in terms of encouraging existing roots to branch.

[tucker85]

Vandas with no roots can be difficult. It sounds like you're doing all the right things by increasing humidity and reducing light. I think humidity is the critical element with vandas. I wouldn't reduce the light too much though. Your light in PA is already much less than the tropics. In fact some early morning direct sunlight is great if you can manage it. With higher humidity good air circulation is important also. I'm sure you're already using KelpMax so all you can do is hope for the best. Good luck, Ray.

---------- Post added at 11:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:10 AM ----------

One other thing I forgot to mention. I've found that bloom booster fertilizer increases root production. I think that little extra shot of phosphorus is good for the roots. I use seaweed extract twice a month and bloom booster once a month in the spring and I seem to get excellent root production. Good luck.

[CR7cristiano]

you seem to be doing all the right things. At this point high humidity and good air movement is a must. In cases like this I would put a plant like this in my 70% shade house. Any sun whether morning direct will be stressful on a vanda with no roots. Always remember that with no roots most moisture will have to come from leaf absorption. And with more heat and direct sunlight even if its morning sun will cause your vanda to lose moisture through the leaves and as a preservation mechanism it may drop more leaves to reduce how quickly it is losing moisture having had no roots to retain water. So a cool space with diffused light.
Outside of these things the rest is left to luck and nature.

Hope it turns around for you.

[Bud]

Inheriting a desiccated Vanda is quite daunting. But now that it is in your environment, I think it has a good chance of survival.
It is strange for an established Vanda to lose its roots. Even with fungi or bacteria infestation, the roots just turn black but it doesn't fall off....same with Vanda root rot. Even when they die from neglect, its quite hard to detach them from the plant. The roots can grow long and pencil thick.
I guess all you need to do is spray it with anti fungal and anti bacterial then wait for the roots to grow....as long as the plant is alive it will grow roots.

[Discus]

Not in the category of "proven help" but I wonder if applying a paste of a hormone rooting powder at the base of some of the fallen leaves (in and around the axil) might encourage any axial bud tissue to differentiate some new roots? I don't imagine it would harm things.

[CR7cristiano]

Originally Posted by Discus

Not in the category of "proven help" but I wonder if applying a paste of a hormone rooting powder at the base of some of the fallen leaves (in and around the axil) might encourage any axial bud tissue to differentiate some new roots? I don't imagine it would harm things.

Thats actually a worthwhile idea. Can't hurt right.