Vanda orchid bacterial spots need suggestions
Good morning everyone. I came to this thread looking for some assistance. A few months back I purchased an orchid from Lowes on clearance for 5$. I have never had an orchid before I figured this one would be a good opportunity to learn without too much lost investment. I have purchased many of my plants from clearance and most are thriving. Again my first orchid. Things I have learned so far. #1 this is a vanda orchid. #2 this little guy loves water. I learned that the white roots are a sign that it needs water they should be green in color. I let the little guy soak in the sink or a bucket or a nice dip in the pond for a few min, maybe 10 and they turn nice and green. (My first lesson) #3 this guy came to me with a bacteria! I originally was thinking that the spots were due to lack of water initially. However they are still there after solid months of watering. My orchid during the days that is warm spends its days outside in morning sun under a pergola. it is getting cold here now in the panhandle of Florida so I have brought all my warm weather plants indoors, many are not happy but they will thank me later. They dont realize its 30 degrees outside. I still am watering my orchid by both dipping and giving it a spritz every once in a while.
Questions I have I read these black spots are probably bacteria. I would like to try cutting them and using the hydrogen peroxide and dakins 10% bleach solution. How exactly should I go about that? Do I cut the whole leaf off or just the black part? And do I just spritz the bleach or hydrogen peroxide? For how long and how often?
I am also including a picture of the roots some do not go between shiny white and green they have more of a brown hue to them do I need to clip these off?
At what point do I need to fertilize?
In a couple months I will be able to put my plant back outside to enjoy the florida weather but until then its huddled inside with the rest with a few days here and there of outside time. This week is supposed to be warmer.
Thanks for the help and hopefully I will be able to rehab this guy.
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