Vanda dropping leaves, can this be saved?

[captainbug]

I mean, watching the few YouTube videos that really exist on the topic of Fusairum, it does "exhibit signs". The way the leaves yellow from the base and drop. The way the roots are choked and develop a bit of callous around the choke points.

But honestly, all of this coincides with having really unfortunate crappy care thanks to this being my very first Vanda. I don't think I'm willing to go chopping off any more roots, and certainly not stem, just to try and find out. I'm also not just going to "throw it away" until it's dead beyond dead.

So far I've removed it from any pot and media. It's hung on a wire once again and placed in my windowsill. The house is at 73F pretty consistently and it gets sun through the window well enough. I'm considering purchasing additional grow lights.

I'm fixing to order some fertilizer to start soaking it in weekly.

Water-wise, I've been showering with it daily for the last 6 or 7 days. Nice steamy warm shower, directly in the spray for about 10 minutes, then again before I get out for another 5 or so. Right now it's having a soak in the sink after it just had a shower. The roots aren't getting terribly plump, and only a few have any green to them. See the closeup pictures attached for a better description than I can give. One included of it still in the water after a good 45 minutes.

It's lost a couple more leaves, and I know it's going to lose at least one more. However, the next leaf up isn't showing any sign of death at the base.

[captainbug]

Another little update--these are the roots dry. They sound and feel like thin paper. Crisp, some are woody feeling. Only a few really retain any moisture.

[Roberta]

If roots are totally dry and dead they aren't hurting anything by staying on the plant. Since it is hard to tell for sure what is totally dead and what might still be useful, leave them all until you get some new ones. Then you can tidy up (By that time, the dead ones will be brittle and desiccated and therefore obvious) Patience, patience... orchids don't don anything fast.

[captainbug]

I'm definitely not cutting any more off this poor thing. If they were black and necrotic looking that would bother me, but the little bits of even the lightest green give me some hope--even if they dry out to seemingly nothing.

How long do you think it might be before it starts putting out root growth? Where should I look for it? Right off the main stem, or would it come out of existing roots?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by captainbug

How long do you think it might be before it starts putting out root growth? Where should I look for it? Right off the main stem, or would it come out of existing roots?

It could do either, or both. (Old roots that look pretty dead can sprout branches, and new roots can also emerge from the main stem) Could be several months. I wouldn't be concerned even if went six months with no action. I have a V. bicolor that sprouted some keikis, lost leaves, and after a couple of years grew enough new roots near the remaining leaves that look good enough that I may cut that section off to be a new plant, but not until spring, just to get the size back to something reasonable. Sloooowwwww.

[captainbug]

Well. Now that I've pulled it out of the water I'm fairly certain it's a goner. Despite the fact that the next leaf up was looking pretty, the stem had rotted all the way up to the base of that leaf.

The top (with the upper most 5 leaves) flopped completely over. Top "crown" basically completely amputated its own base when it flopped. I guess that saves me the trouble of surgical intervention, hey?

The spot it amputated at was purple-black mush. I went ahead and made a single cut above it.

All that's left is 5 leaves. I don't know that it's possible for a stem/roots to grow from what is left and I have no idea what to do with it.

[Roberta]

I think RIP... it is possible that the part with the leaves could grow a root, but doubtful. Sounds like it committed suicide.

[captainbug]

That is exactly what it did. I don't think it's worth the effort even if it did grow a root after god knows how much babying.

Time to wash my hands and cuddle with my Phals, I guess. They love me.

Wish there were more orchid species to be found in my general vicinity. It's phals or vandas, and both are horribly overpriced.

Maybe I'll stop into Trader Joes sometime and browse their collection more extensively. They had some beautiful orchids the last time I was there.

Thank you guys for all your help. <3 Any advice on easier-to-care-for indoor species would be greatly appreciated.

[Roberta]

Whether species or hybrids, "easy to grow" means "you have the conditions that it wants without going to a lot of trouble". Your "easy" and my "easy" may not be the same. But in general, it's easier to maintain a plant in a pot than mounted or bare root in a home environment. The selection at Trader Joe's varies from place to place, the ones near me have some really nice Paphs and Oncidium tribe hybrids that are also easy to grow indoors. And as you branch out, you're not limited to what you can find at stores locally. There are some excellent nurseries that sell online, and do an amazing job of shipping blooming plants. Keep reading this forum as people talk about their acquisitions - the Vendor Feedback forum is particularly good.

[Bunch_Of_Roots]

If you want to try another Vanda, I'd recommend trying Neofinetia (now Vanda) falcata. These plants are very sturdy and hardy. Can take temperatures in the range from 45-90 F, easy to grow, and can have very nice foliage depending on variety. And the plant is very compact. As a bonus, the flowers smell like vanilla jasmine at night. I think this one would do well in your environment.

There is an ebay seller named Japanese Orchids specializing in this species. I personally bought from them and their plants are great.