Vanda has gotten very long. What to do?

[CaptFrank]

My Vanda.V.Boonehoo x V.Doctor Anek has grown to be 8' tall with the roots which are 4' long. I do not want to top it. Can I let the roots gather in a basket on the ground or would it be better to prune the roots?

[WhiteRabbit]

sorry - I can't answer your question but just wanted to "say"
good growing!

[peeweelovesbooks]

I would prune the roots--or alternatively, you can put it in a big pot with river rock. I've seen vandas growing that way and they look awesome!!

[Rosiefuture]

OMG That is fantastic!!!

Fabulous orchid!

Marion

[Junebug]

Your Vanda is beautiful. I'm at the same crossroads and need to make some decisions with my big Noid Vanda. One of my fears as a Florida grower is that a big wind will come along one day and snap her main growth. My plant has 2 keikis. One is rather new (about 5 inches with no roots) and the other is fully developed and in spike. This season the momma plant has been throwing out long healthy roots mid stem and well above her keiki growths. I'm considering the idea of doing a top cutting below the new roots next spring and giving it to my daughter. The whole idea of decapitation scares me, but if the cutting includes multiple healthy roots it should be o.k.....I hope. Wish me luck.

[Eyebabe]

I do not grow Vandas but this thread has me on the edge of my brain wondering how you all are gonna do this!
I hope somebody "in the know" chimes in soon

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by Eyebabe

I do not grow Vandas but this thread has me on the edge of my brain wondering how you all are gonna do this!
I hope somebody "in the know" chimes in soon

My vanda originated from a cutting. It was about 5 inches tall had only one 6 inch root to begin with. I just stuck it in a slat basket with some very large chunks of charcoal and bark. It took a few seasons to become well established but that may have been due to having only one root. The person who gave me the cutting just lopped it off with a non-sterile knife. I plan to use a fire treated cutting instument, follow up by treating the wounds with ground cinnamon, and allow the wounds to callous before potting/watering. This method may not work for all vandas but mine is a semi-terete who is inclined to grow very large and produce lots of keikis. If everything goes well the keikis should take over and be as big as the mother plant within a couple of years. By next spring the larger keiki should be in full bloom production. It currently has a short spike that may or may not abort. The mother plant aborted 4 short spikes before her first successful bloom. Now she blooms all the time. For me, a successful bloom from the keiki will be an important factor to consider when determining when to top cut the mother plant. This will be my first attempt at trying such an endeavor so my assumptions as to the how and whens of how to do this may be wrong. I too welcome suggestions from others who've had success with vanda top cuttings.

Someone mentioned cutting back the roots but I can't justify that idea because they're so vital to the survival of the plant. It's been my experience that the longer the roots, the healthier the plant. Long roots are to be expected...it's just the way a healthy vanda grows.

[frostedeyes]

yeah dont prune the roots! they always say the more roots the better!!!! hmmm... maybe try lowering it?? so your plant have more space to grow..

[Masdyman]

I would leave it as it is and don't trim the roots ,as long as the plant is supported to the wire support it's not going anywhere.
Your only other option is to top it ,i would only do this below a few strong roots ,the lower half would possibly produce babies but that is it .So doing this with a Vanda with good leaves the full length of the plant is a shame IMO .If you had lots of bare stem then maybe do it .

[Masdyman]

Another option is in Vase culture ,where the roots are in a large glass vase then you could stand the plant where ever you like at eye level but still with good light.