Vanda Orchid

[wendyb]

I was given a vanda orchid about a month ago. It does not have blooms, and appears to be potted in a charcoal like substance. A little while ago, one of my cats knocked the orchid pot over, spilling the potting medium. I then noticed that all the vanda's roots seem shriveled. It has no healthy roots at all. What can I do? Shall I re-pot it into the same charcoal substance, or should I use corks? I saw a suggestion about corks on one of the other forums. I am very concerned about theses dry and shriveled roots. HELP!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Sounds like it is a watering issue instead of potting issue. I don't believe cork will hold any more moisture than charcoal. You could try some redwood bark or perhaps coconut husk chunks, but the best bet in my opinion would be to increase watering, make sure you vanda gets lots of air movement, and see if it doesn't improve. Vandas like to drink and feed, but need to dry off quickly. They need good humidity as well.

cheers,
BD

[wendyb]

Thanks BD. Will follow your advice! Can you tell me if it is normal for Vanda roots to look all withered? It looks healthy enough above the root line.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Thanks BD. Will follow your advice! Can you tell me if it is normal for Vanda roots to look all withered? It looks healthy enough above the root line.

Well, I can only tell you that I have some vandas that have withered/ woody looking roots and some that have thick, white roots. All of mine require lots of water and need to dry off quickly.

cheers,
BD

[wendyb]

Great news! I am watering and air circulating and sunning and hoping for the best! Thanks for your help!

[jrfehon]

What you might want to try is putting it in a vase without potting mix. I grow under lights and my humidity levels tend to be low, which isn't good for growing vandas. I have a blue vanda I purchased about four years ago and it struggled in my house for the first few years. The roots shriveled, the leaves were always weak and it wasn't putting out new growths. I then read online about growing vandas in vases. I can post a picture if you'd like but it's been in a vase now for two years and it's growing new roots like crazy! It also bloomed for the first time in four years last month. This method might not be for everyone but if you have low humitidy like I do it might be worth trying. Good luck!

Jason

[wendyb]

Thanks Jason - lucky you to have blooms - I'l love to see a picture of yours, then I'll know (hopefully) what I have to look forward to!! I'm now putting my vanda outside for morning sunshine (central NJ), and when it is in the house, I have a humidifier running, so hopefully, the conditions are good. I have a number of phals, an oncidium, and 3 baby dendrobiums (have been putting the baby denbrobiums outside with the vanda too). I will (in the next couple of weeks) have a greenhouse, so I'm thrilled that I'll be able to put my orchids in their new home. Hopefully I'll be able to control their different needs!

[jrfehon]

Here are a few photos of the vanda I grow in a vase. The root system is so much more advanced than what it was in a bark mix. In fact, you can see some of the main roots that died that I cut off when I put it in the vase. Again, I'd only suggest growing vandas this way if your growing space has low humidity.

[sand_tiger86]

I put mine in slotted clay pots with a mixture of lava rock and course orchid mix (medium bark, charcoal and perlite). I water them every day, and they live in a western exposure with a fan on them for good air movement. They are absolutely thriving this way.

[tradceci]

Mine are potted in charcoal and I water them daily. I fertilize every week. It seems that you need to increase humidity. Good luck with your plant.