Vanda rooting ?s - Orchid Board

JennS · #1 06-23-2008, 11:17 AM

I have a Vanda that I rescued from my brother's garden center (they are not very good with orchids) to nurse back to health. When I brought it home, it looked pretty pathetic. The leaves were somewhat shriveled and the root system did not have any new growth. I have been babying it by watering it every morning, and misting it some afternoons. I did not know until recently that vandas like to be fertilized more often then other types of orchids, so it was just getting the weekly, weakly fertilizer. So, last week, I went to water it with my other Vanda, and it just broke at the stem. It had about 12 inches of bare stem between the roots and the leaves. I don't know if the stem rotted out or what happened. It appears to have had either 2 new roots or 2 shoots attempting to grow out of some of the leaves, but those appear to not be doing anything now. Is there any way to save this orchid? Can I get it to re-root? Any advice is appreciated. On a side note, the other Vanda that I keep right by it is fine and has healthy root growth currently.

Lorraine · #2 06-23-2008, 11:49 AM

Hi jenn,

Here are a couple pictures to help you mount your vanda. If it were mine I would clean off the area where it broke if rotted (cut away the rotted part and use cinnamon to cover the wound) Mist 2x a day the whole plant morning and afternoon keep in a shady spot (less stress) and wait for the roots to get going. I might take awhile. If you use the stake in the basket wire the top of the stake to the top of the wire hanger. This will keep your plant growth straight.

OOps the first picture got in there by mistake it won't help the problem and I don't know how to remove it.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #3 07-04-2008, 03:14 AM

High humidity always brings out awesome roots. The higher the humidity, the better.

Grandma M · #4 07-04-2008, 06:51 AM

Vandas are rugged little rascals. I hope it will root for you. Keep us posted on it's progress.

Marilyn

thakshila smith · #5 07-04-2008, 08:46 AM

Hi Lorraine,Your second pic is vanda tessalata .I thought that. When I planted vanda divides they took almost 6 months to get some progress. only roots developed/grew very little.
after I mounted on a log of wood now it started to grow up. (I do not have baskets)

JennS · #6 07-07-2008, 10:03 AM

Thanks for all the well wishes....I guess an update is in order. I decided to try my own version of a spag and bag type thing. I keep my orchids (for the most part) outside, and live in central florida so I was worried about it getting too dry because most days I just have a chance to water in the morning and then don't get home until after dark. So, first I cut the broken part back until there was some green. I treated the cut with cinnamon. Then I wrapped the base, leaving the cut part semi exposed, with moistened spaghnum and wrapped a small piece of paper towel around the spag. I then secured around the paper towel with two twist ties. I did not want it to be very tight, just loosely holding the spag. on. Well, I checked this past Thursday and saw a little nubbin starting! I was so excited! The top of the plant still looks a bit pathetic, but I figured that is to be expected because it is putting most energy into producing new roots. Anyway, I think it was a success! Thanks for all of the help

cb977 · #7 07-07-2008, 10:10 AM

That's great news, Jenn! Job well done!

I might give it a try on few of my "strugglers"

JennS · #8 07-25-2008, 04:37 PM

I know this is old, but I thought I would post a few pictures of the little contraption I made to get this guy to root. Here they are...

Shriveled leaves:

A little paper towel, some spag, and twist ties to hold in place:

Stringing an open paper clip through the twist tie to secure to basket:

View from underneath:

The finished product (not the prettiest, but it's working):

And of course, the results!:

JennS · #9 08-05-2008, 02:36 PM

I just wanted to add another update. I have been trying to leave this plant alone and not check on it too much, but I have been making sure the spag is damp every morning. I know there are alot of debate with using spag on vanda roots, and I woudl not advise it on a healthy vanda, but because I cannot always mist more than one time a day and the plant was so donig so badly (see the first pic to see how badly shriveled it was) I decided to try somethign else.

Anyway, Sunday, I was coming in from admiring my orchids when I looked at the vanda in question and it had a bulge in it's pants! I mean a bulge in it's paper towel! HAHA.... Anyway, the root has more then doubled in size now. I dont' have any pics yet, but will get some soon. The other root looks OK, but this one has really taken off.

Additionally, the little green spot in the last 2 pictures has remained the same. It is a little bump that looks like it may become another root. Does anyone think it could become a root too from the pics? Thanks!

addictedcountryman · #10 08-05-2008, 04:01 PM

Jenn I want to see pics!!! I love your contraption. what an awesome idea!