I did something foolish... Maybe someone can help. Or maybe I will serve as a cautionary tale.
Context: new orchid grower, never owned a vanda, lives in cold and dry climate. Discovered eBay
I now have a frozen Vanda Asco jaopraya that spent 6 days on transport in sub freezing weather.
I unwrapped it, wet the roots (maybe should not have done that), hung it in a bathroom under filtered light away from other plants. It is dry in the bathroom - as we do not use it. It's hard to tell from the pic but the leaves are kinda yellow-green-brown. The other pic is from the eBay ad.
So is it dead? Alive? Can it be saved? Should I treat it for it pests? Water it?
Feeling pretty guilty for putting this lovely plant through the wringer. Any help appreciated.
Observe the plant... if it keeps its leaves, especially the top ones, it may be OK. If it loses the top leaves (especially the newest one) then probably not. If it dies, you should contact the seller - he/she should not have shipped in such cold weather, certainly not by "slow boat". Reputable sellers watch the weather this time of year, don't ship if they expect weather delays, use heat packs that keep plants warm for a couple of days and only use express shipping, typically two-day delivery.
Some more photos. Really don't capture the color well.
Thoughts on how to keep humid? I've seen things like plastic bag around the roots, strings of micro fiber. Any suggestions?
I'd suggest a plastic bag around the whole plant, with a lump of damp sphagnum moss at the bottom. (Sphag and bag) The newest leaf looks like it might be OK but I fear that the shriveled appearance of most of the leaves is serious cold damage rather than dehydration. The fault is the seller's, not yours... one can easily learn the current weather and the forecast in any part of the world, from any part of the world, if one has a computer. There is really no excuse for 6 days in transit, but especially none when shipping in the dead of winter to Montana. I think that you are owed a refund or a replacement plant (packed and shipped properly for the conditions).
It's a bummer but the responsibility is not just on the seller but also on a buyer. I personally never order plants to be shipped in cold weather...even a heat pack and express would not save an orchid during very cold temps.
Usually Vandas drop leaves quickly when they get too cold, unless frozen suddenly. Your plant doesn't look dead, so it may not have frozen. I would still wet the roots every day, and put it in a warm and bright place. If it lives, don't cut off any roots unless they're mushy. It can be hard to tell when Vanda roots are dead.
__________________ May the bridges I've burned light my way.
It's a bummer but the responsibility is not just on the seller but also on a buyer. I personally never order plants to be shipped in cold weather...even a heat pack and express would not save an orchid during very cold temps.
There are sellers who very successfully ship during cold weather - but they watch the weather. If they have to wait a week or two - or more - they do. I have received orchids in bloom that were shipped from Minnesota in winter without losing even one flower! But if it's really bad - or there is concern that planes will be grounded due to storms anywhere on the path, they wait. It sounds like this seller used plain old postal mail... six days in shipping any time of the year is not reasonable for any living plant.
There are sellers who very successfully ship during cold weather - but they watch the weather. If they have to wait a week or two - or more - they do. I have received orchids in bloom that were shipped from Minnesota in winter without losing even one flower! But if it's really bad - or there is concern that planes will be grounded due to storms anywhere on the path, they wait. It sounds like this seller used plain old postal mail... six days in shipping any time of the year is not reasonable for any living plant.
I stand corrected because, while I haven't done it in awhile... I have ordered from Orchids Limited and Andy's in winter but never 'just anyone' on eBay because those almost always ship via USPS. There are a couple of exceptions on eBay but the majority use priority USPS and we all know the horrors that can occur with postal...especially around Christmas. If I really need something during an Ohio winter...its a select few that I would trust to get me the plants, safely.
I still believe a buyer needs to take some responsibility, we can't blame it solely on the seller.
Frozen vanda
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