Semi-terete Vanda needs rescue - Orchid Board

MissValanor · #1 02-09-2016, 02:04 PM

A year ago, I purchased a cross between V. coerulea and P. teres. I did a mistake and placed it in a vase, bare root.. it seemed happy, and produced lots of new roots.. Unfortunately, few months ago I had to move, and my Vanda moved with me.. Since then, it lost all the roots apart of one..

Question is: To save it, would you recommend to pot it? If so, what would be the best medium? Sphag moss with bark? It was in tiny plug of sphagnum moss when I bought it..

Thank you for any advice

jcec1 · #2 02-13-2016, 08:19 AM

I grow all my vandas in vases bare root, as this means I don't have any issues with rot as they dry out quickly. I only water mine once a week in winter and twice in summer. I'm not sure why yours lost it's roots as it should not have been too wet. Maybe it was the opposite and they dried up. Can you give any more on your specifics e.g watering regime, temperature, where the plant is situated (south window, greenhouse etc.). As always a picture or more helps too.

MissValanor · #3 02-14-2016, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcec1

I grow all my vandas in vases bare root, as this means I don't have any issues with rot as they dry out quickly. I only water mine once a week in winter and twice in summer. I'm not sure why yours lost it's roots as it should not have been too wet. Maybe it was the opposite and they dried up. Can you give any more on your specifics e.g watering regime, temperature, where the plant is situated (south window, greenhouse etc.). As always a picture or more helps too.

As far as I know, terete (and semi terete) Vandas are most requiring for bright light and water.. I will try to get some photos tomorrow of its poor current stage.

Once bought, and removed from sphag moss, it was growing on a western facing window, where it had nice bright light anytime it was possible in UK

I sprayed it over every day and it has produced lots of new roots. But I had to move, and from September, it was growing in dark room with north facing window. As the light and temperature decreased, I reduced watering to once per week (it was obvious that it didn't dry out so fast any longer) Soon afterwards, it stopped growing and the roots started to shrivel and die. In an attempt to save it, and provide light to it, I placed it into a propagation unit at work, in not well heated glasshouse where it has light, but it's a bit too cold for it...

estación seca · #4 02-15-2016, 12:59 AM

Semi-terete Vandas need a lot of sun and warm temperatures. That could be a big problem in a northern country without artificial light and heat.

jcec1 · #5 02-15-2016, 05:23 AM

I do get a certain degree of root dieback in winter. I don't provide artificial light and they are in normal room temperatures (15-21C), but they bounce back in spring and summer. I do grow mine south facing with no burning issues, but I am in cloudy Scotland. I think the answer is to get it back into warm and light conditions. I use liquid seaweed, once a fortnight as well which is said to promote root growth. I do have good roots on mine, but as I have no control group I can't say for definite it is the seaweed or just culture that promotes the root growth.

MissValanor · #6 02-15-2016, 01:03 PM

I have heard from few sources, that growin Vandas in Scotland is actually more successful than in south of UK (apparently longer summer day length helps with cultivation) I agree that some die-back would be probably be ok.. Maybe it has been caused by the shock of sudden darkness (when it was move to north facing room) It has now been kept in a propagator (approx. 8 weeks) which has also artificial light, but it seems to struggle with low temperatures of the glasshouse.

Here are some photos when it was happy in sunshine, and it's current state now...

jcec1, if I could ask, which Papilionanthe (or terete/semi-terete Vandas do you grow?)

jcec1 · #7 02-19-2016, 06:44 PM

I grow ascocendas, Pachara Blue, vascostylis and some 'Motes hybrids'. No members if the Papilionanthe, I don't have the room 😕. Interesting that the longer days may make up for a lack of intensity of sunlight, that was a thought that did cross my mind when I hear that more southern growers have trouble with vandas.