Is my Vanda ok?

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Ok, I am struggling with this very first Vanda I have ever had. I bought it as pretty blooming plant in the mall at that time. That was also the only time blooming for me. Being hanged in the totally wrong light spot for a years, it grew gorgeous healthy looking dark green leaves and roots - and never bloomed. Till I started my research and realized there is no enough light of course. I did place it this spring at the spot with some afternoon direct sun, did not work as well, and 3 leaves got burned and fall off so one side of the vanda is nearly without the leaves. Other side has pretty nice leaves still. I just have a feeling, that there is something, something wrong, and I can not figure it out. I do have a lot of roots dying, I did cut most of them off, but I am not sure what is the cause, if it is too much fertilizing, too often watering, or some fungus infection? It happens mostly at the ends when tips turned brown and die, or as new roots sprouts from the older one, and they do turn brown and die. Also, the leftover after the leaves fall off seems odd color to me. I did take some pics, I would appreciate any feedback, I have now more vandas, so I hope I will learn how to take proper care of them and bloom them, but this first baby is with me for a years and years and I hope I can make it thrive somehow. The roots are not touching the ground and never did, just to mention. I do fertilize it quite often, and use also seaweed.

[nikkik]

How do you water it? Did you notice any purple inside the roots when you cut them?

[TOMMYMIAMI]

There was no purple inside, or at least i really do not think so. I do spray them pretty much every day in the morning.

[nikkik]

Vandas sometimes loose leaves when they aren't getting enough water. While they don't like to stay wet they really do need the appropriate amounts of water in order to bloom and not to drop leaves. You may just need to give it a good soaking a couple times a week on top of your current routine.

I asked about the purple because when you have roots that are dying and leaf loss in vandas, my mind always goes to fusarium. I had a plant that had roots that were turning brown and shriveling for no good reason, when I cut into a root that I was suspicious of, it was fusarium. I could not get a clean cut when trying to save it. Luckily, it was in a separate location from the rest of my plants.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Ok Nikkik, I have no clue what is Fusarium, but will google it. Now, how should I check for it, cut into one of the roots?
I do make sure that the roots turn green when watering, so I am not sure if it is not enough water. Now I am scarfed if this one has Fusarium, it is on small balcony with other plants, and if I do understand it correct, it can spread and kill my orchids:-(

---------- Post added at 06:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:06 PM ----------

holy crab Nikkik, you just made my last 20 minutes horror
After I did check what IS fusarium wilt, I went nuts at the balcony. Probably little bit hurt few my plants, but I started to cut to any weird or dry looking root like there is no tomorrow! Thanks God, did not find anything purple, mostly green, few totally bone dry, but nothing purple what so ever. God, this was intense evening, must say, this scares me sh.....s, I would be done if I would loose all my orchids due to something like this. I take everything too much, I am encourage every day by every single one that thrives and grows and blooms, but than 3x more discourage by every one that has some problem, no matter how big or small! I know it is not healthy, but can't help it. And on the top I am too impulsive and un patient, so great combo! I must add also, the leaves from one side fall off in my opinion because they got really burned from the direct sun, there are no leaves falling from other side of that vanda that was not exposed to direct sun. So I guess all is ok, I hope

[FSUOrchids]

I think in general it needs more water. I'm not seeing anything that looks like a major problem. These plants need bright light (just not a ton of direct light) and a lot of water. I water mine daily.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by FSUOrchids

I think in general it needs more water. I'm not seeing anything that looks like a major problem. These plants need bright light (just not a ton of direct light) and a lot of water. I water mine daily.

Many thanks, I do water daily, but it is only misting till the time roots turn green. I did do it even twice a day in July, morning and evening if I saw it was too hot. It has only direct later afternoon sun filtered through dracema now.

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[nikkik]

Sorry, I wasn't trying to scare you!! Just up your watering! Hopefully you'll get flowers!

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by nikkik

Sorry, I wasn't trying to scare you!! Just up your watering! Hopefully you'll get flowers!

No Nikkik, it's all good, this is how I learn. I have a feeling that now knowing about this though I will be freaking out more often! Thanks God, if worst would come to worst, I would hire Tom from Broward Orchid Supplies, he serves also as Orchid Doctor, and does house calls, and I would hire him to do whatever possible if something like that would happen to more orchids! BUT I HOPE IT NEVER WILL!!!
I will try to soak the roots few times a week and will see

[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.