General questions re Vanda "maintenance'

[Monks-in-Miami]

I have two questions that I need some input/advice on:

1. Is it ok to cut or trim very long (approx. 12" long) vanda roots that seem to be drying up? The plant in question has several other long healthy roots, so will the plant be fine it the old roots are trimmed/cut off?

2. A vanda recently sent up a spike with 5 buds, and as of this morning all the buds have blasted and fallen off. In order to redirect energy to the plant, could I go ahead and cut the spike now or wait for it to dry up and fall of on its own?

Thanks as always for the expert advice!

[raybark]

I have two questions that I need some input/advice on:

1. Is it ok to cut or trim very long (approx. 12" long) vanda roots that seem to be drying up? The plant in question has several other long healthy roots, so will the plant be fine it the old roots are trimmed/cut off?

2. A vanda recentlysent up a spike with 5 buds, and as of this morning all the buds have blasted and fallen off. In order to redirect energy to the plant, could I go ahead and cut the spike now or wait for it to dry up and fall of on its own?

Thanks as always for the expert advice!

I would soak the roots first, and see if there is any green once the velamen is saturated. If not, feel free to trim away the non-green parts.

Remove the spike or not. I doubt it makes much of a difference.

[JDT]

Well said Ray!

[Yug]

I trim roots after the blooming season for that type. Otherwise you may shock the plant and it might sulk for a while. If it is a frequent bloomer this is more difficult. I like to trim them back to about a foot above the ground.

[Azizan]

I would wait the spike to dry out first because cutting anything green could increase the chance of infection just because I don't like to seal wounds with cinnamon powder. Agreed with Ray about the roots but of course soak in water first. If you leave the dead roots it it doesn't harm either. But I would be reluctant if it doesn't have many roots.