Is my Vanda ok?

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by CR7cristiano

To me it looks like the roots are staying moist for too long. That medium stuffed in your basket seems to retain moisture at the roots. They need air flow. And in a basket that small and tightly packed; or so it appears, you will have roots dying back.

MANY THANKS, I am listening to everyone, and I must say, I incline to the fact they are actually wet too much and too long, I am not quite sure why but it seems like at my balcony on the fifth floor the plants and roots do not dry so fast. And since I did read Vanda should be watered every day, and in Florida some people do even twice a day, I was doing it most of the July, but than it started to look like they are staying wet for most of the day. I donno, it's either or, but I think I do water every day which should be enough. Will see. Will get rid of that moss, it was there when I bought it, never did remove it.

[Chatbud]

Hi Tommy
Is this an Ascoscenda? You have husk/sp. moss in the basket?
I used to squeeze moist sp. moss in the Ascoscenda basket and it didn't like this treatment. It just didn't like to be moist all the time. All the green root tips disappeared and the plant stopped growing. (However, my other vanda and mokara absolutely love the constantly moist sp. moss).

So without changing its location, I cleared out all the sp. moss. 1-2 weeks later, the green root tips started appearing again and a new leaf started appearing slowly from within.

[CR7cristiano]

Originally Posted by TOMMYMIAMI

MANY THANKS, I am listening to everyone, and I must say, I incline to the fact they are actually wet too much and too long, I am not quite sure why but it seems like at my balcony on the fifth floor the plants and roots do not dry so fast. And since I did read Vanda should be watered every day, and in Florida some people do even twice a day, I was doing it most of the July, but than it started to look like they are staying wet for most of the day. I donno, it's either or, but I think I do water every day which should be enough. Will see. Will get rid of that moss, it was there when I bought it, never did remove it.

Yep, like I mentioned. The moss is staying too wet, especially with you watering so ofter. It can't dry out. In addition to this, having received the plant with the moss there is no telling how old it is and over time spag moss breaks down and becomes very soggy. Remove the medium and leave it bare root.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by Chatbud

Hi Tommy
Is this an Ascoscenda? You have husk/sp. moss in the basket?
I used to squeeze moist sp. moss in the Ascoscenda basket and it didn't like this treatment. It just didn't like to be moist all the time. All the green root tips disappeared and the plant stopped growing. (However, my other vanda and mokara absolutely love the constantly moist sp. moss).

So without changing its location, I cleared out all the sp. moss. 1-2 weeks later, the green root tips started appearing again and a new leaf started appearing slowly from within.

Thanks Chatbud, there was no ID on this vanda when I bought it (mall purchase), so no clue what is it. I did remove the moss already and will hope for the best:-)

---------- Post added at 10:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 PM ----------

Done

[nikkik]

Originally Posted by CR7cristiano

To me it looks like the roots are staying moist for too long. That medium stuffed in your basket seems to retain moisture at the roots. They need air flow. And in a basket that small and tightly packed; or so it appears, you will have roots dying back.

Great call! I was looking at the pictures on my phone and didn't even notice the moss in the basket!

[FSUOrchids]

Yeah removing the moss would probably help..a lot of these types of plants hate to be wet for too long

[CR7cristiano]

Originally Posted by nikkik

Great call! I was looking at the pictures on my phone and didn't even notice the moss in the basket!

lol....don't feel too bad. I actually had to go through the photos a few times, and also did a bit of deduction. I had similar experiences with couple of my vanda seedlings I am growing. They need to be moist often but then you have to dwell on the side of too little rather than too much; in this case I'm referring to watering a fine bark and medium charcoal mix.

[nikkik]

Originally Posted by CR7cristiano

lol....don't feel too bad. I actually had to go through the photos a few times, and also did a bit of deduction. I had similar experiences with couple of my vanda seedlings I am growing. They need to be moist often but then you have to dwell on the side of too little rather than too much; in this case I'm referring to watering a fine bark and medium charcoal mix.

Thank you! I'm happy you seen the moss and posted. I wouldn't have wanted to have been an accomplice in the death of this orchid if Tommy started to give it even more water because of my bad advice!

I'm sorry, Tommy. Next time I give advice, I will pay closer attention to the pictures.

On a side note, I've been growing my seedlings in moss, but you're right about getting that perfect amount of water, it can be tricky! I've keep them on the drier side and they are all doing well. I personally have a difficult time going in any type of bark mixes. Bark in my house=dead!

[CR7cristiano]

Originally Posted by nikkik

Thank you! I'm happy you seen the moss and posted. I wouldn't have wanted to have been an accomplice in the death of this orchid if Tommy started to give it even more water because of my bad advice!

I'm sorry, Tommy. Next time I give advice, I will pay closer attention to the pictures.

On a side note, I've been growing my seedlings in moss, but you're right about getting that perfect amount of water, it can be tricky! I've keep them on the drier side and they are all doing well. I personally have a difficult time going in any type of bark mixes. Bark in my house=dead!