Vanda rescue

[dshawn]

I am bound and determined to grow a vanda. I absolutely fell in love with them. I purchased a Rothchildiana at a orchid show. It had not bloomed yet but was a good size plant. Anyway, I treated this like a newborn and it thrived until I went on vacation. My idea was to put some moss in with the plant so my daughter wouldn't have to water so often. Well I forgot to remove it and when I did I found all but one root brown and shriveled. The plant itself still looks good but will it be o.k. with one root? Please help I love this plant. Sorry I haven't figured out the sending pictures thing yet.

Another question I had was that I bought a cattleya from a reputable dealer and I received a beautiful plant but it had a unifoliate and a biofoliate in the same container. How does this happen? I can't wait to see what it turns out to be.

[Cjcorner]

Vanda's need a ton of air movement and although they like to get watered often, the roots need to be able to dry out in between. I don't see where you live, so it would be difficult to suggest conditions. Perhaps you can give us a general location and where you grow your orchids first so we can help you save your vanda....

[catttan]

Your vanda should be OK.

[dshawn]

Thank you for your help. I live in southern California and my vanda is in a basket hanging from a upstairs balcony. It get lots of light and air movement and is shaded from direct sun. I dunk it to water in the morning and spray it with a very diluted fertilizer mixture. I'm so relieved it seem to be surviving me. I'll figure out the posting pictures thing and hopefully someday send some to you when it blooms. Again thanks a lot.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Thank you for your help. I live in southern California and my vanda is in a basket hanging from a upstairs balcony. It get lots of light and air movement and is shaded from direct sun. I dunk it to water in the morning and spray it with a very diluted fertilizer mixture. I'm so relieved it seem to be surviving me. I'll figure out the posting pictures thing and hopefully someday send some to you when it blooms. Again thanks a lot.

You can update your profile information by visiting the settings link on the very top right of the screen when logged into the community. Here you can add your location so members can offer advice based on your climate.

cheers,
BD

[maggs]

Hi hope that your vanda does beautifully, sounds like it is in the right pot and place, I too have two vanda hanging from my handrails upstairs and one has flowered twice this year the other is a plant that is now coming along because it is a cutting I had bought and had no roots, they get wet with rain at times and so I do not have to do that especially right now as we have rainy season here in the Caribbean, the medium is just a mixture of coals, coconut fiber and small pebbles, I line the wire basket with coconut fiber and that is all. Happy growing

[dshawn]

Thanks for your encouragement. I'm bound and determined to save this plant. I take it very personally when I'm not successful. I'm in southern California and it tends to be dry in the summer but not always. Today is gray and in the 70's. It changes day to day. I'm worried my plant is confused too. I have one good root and the others are dead, I think. I water it everyday and twice when it's hot. I've stopped with the fertilizer until I have more roots. What do you think?

[zainal abidin]

Thanks for your encouragement. I'm bound and determined to save this plant. I take it very personally when I'm not successful. I'm in southern California and it tends to be dry in the summer but not always. Today is gray and in the 70's. It changes day to day. I'm worried my plant is confused too. I have one good root and the others are dead, I think. I water it everyday and twice when it's hot. I've stopped with the fertilizer until I have more roots. What do you think?

I agree with you frequent watering during the hot days but do not stop the fertilizer as it's the main source of food use the most dilutes one should be ok base on my observation with single root you still have a chance more light will induce roots formation.

[dshawn]

Thanks to all your advice it seems to be improving. I don't see any new roots but it seems maybe a few of those I thought dead may be revived. I've been using the kelp fertilizer in a spray bottle and it seems to help.

[coeruleo]

the plant might drop a few of the older leaves as it adjusts to suddenly having less roots. in my experience, the plant often will not continue to grow new leaves until it reaches a balance again. it will need to put its energy into making roots. you might want to look into getting a root-stimulating product. like superthrive etc. to help get the roots growing.