Rotting roots of vanilla orchid

[Daan]

Hi everyone. 1.5 months ago, I bought two vanilla cuttings. They already had roots. I tried to keep them alive in a warm room inside my house. I live in The Netherlands so outside it was way too cold. I watered it and fertillized it the way I should and I used the right soil for orchids. Today I took another look at them and the leaves looked wrinkled and I just found out that all the roots are dried out/rotten... Is there any way to save them?

Ps. The soil in which I got them was not regular orchid soil, but more some kind of compost which still sticks to the roots.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

If the compost is very light, Vanilla can grow in it. In habitat many start on the forest floor then climb into trees. I'm looking on my phone with a small screen but I don't see rotten roots.

Vanilla is difficult for many people as a house plant because it needs heat and high humidity to grow well.

[Orchidtinkerer]

does the vanilla orchid grow 3 meters tall before it flowers?
Is that correct?
Can't help with the roots as I've never grown this one, I'd wash them under a tap to get of the old substrate but haven't got much more advice as I've never grown this one, sry. If it does get that big, definetely a nono here lol

[Daan]

Originally Posted by Orchidtinkerer

does the vanilla orchid grow 3 meters tall before it flowers?
Is that correct?

Yes indeed. Sadly...

[Daan]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I'm looking on my phone with a small screen but I don't see rotten roots.

This is the best picture I could make. I have cut off all dried out roots and I will try to grow new roots from the buds on the stem near the roots. I have cut off the brownish rotten leaves and the rotting parts of the stems. I read somewhere that the cut off parts should be desinfected with cinnamon. I found out that the soil was very wet when digging deeper in the pot so the soil is drying on an oven plate (not sure if this is an English word ). Tomorrow I will give growing new roots a try.

[aliceinwl]

I had something similar happen to my Vanilla. I put the plant on top of some moist sphagnum moss in a clear container with a clear plastic bag over top with a few holes for air exchange. I put it in a warm bright spot and it rapidly resumed growing and produced new roots. I’m not sure what I’m going to re-rig for it now since it’s getting pretty close to out growing its current accommodations.

[estación seca]

I might point out they are very easy to root in a glass of water with warm ambient temperatures. I have done this twice.