promoting new roots on a vanda.....

[frazmo]

I am hoping that someone can help suggest ways to promote new root growth on a vanda. I live in Oregon where it rarely gets above 90 degrees I think on average it is 11 days per year with 90+ degree weather. Anyways I placed my vanda out on the balcony the day that I first moved into my new apartment and unfortunately neglected it during a 3 day period of 95+ degree weather. Needless to say it got burned and has lost alot of leaves. The roots that it has are way down the stem (about 8 inches) and don't appear to be in very good shape after the direct heat. I am really hoping that there is some way to promote the roots to grow before the whole plant decides to die.... I have moved the plant so it isn't getting all the direct sun for the just in case I neglect it again in the near future. I do water and mist every morning and have fertilizer in a spray bottle that I mist it with as well.....

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated....

Thank you

[Tindomul]

I've heard, don't know for sure, that tying some sphag around the stalk could entice Vandas to grow roots. Anyone else heard this?

[ScottMcC]

this was addressed at the lecture I went to. the guy said he'd tried it, and it didn't work. now he just waits and eventually they put out roots on the bare area.

[cneos]

First off, move the damaged plant away from direct sunlight; make sure the area has good air flow and high humidity.
On healthy vandas, I use calcium nitrate (Scott's Calcium Plus) as part of the regular feeding regimen - it works directly on the roots, stimulating new growth and even repairing some damaged areas.

[myluv4orchids]

Hi Frazmo. I kind of have the same problem my father in-law cut off all the roots to my vanda that was at least 18 inches high and half the leaves drop off. What I did was cut the vanda to 3-4 inches below the last leaf (strip off dried up leaves) and used Rootone. Planted in live Spag. in a pot and kept the medium damp. It's been two weeks now and two roots have sprouted. Not saying it's a correct way but it worked for me. My Cattleya orchid had root rot did the same thing and now it is growing roots and 4 pseuodobulbs. Give it a try.

[myluv4orchids]

Oh I forgot to mention I keep the vanda in an east facing window with the window open.

[gixrj18]

Okay, here is my "root cocktail", and I have new roots everywhere, on any Vanda I've had for over a month. I take a 32oz. spray bottle, to keep on the porch, and a 2.5 gal. water jug (with the spout on the front) to keep inside for a re-fill station. That way, I only have to make new food once, every week or two. To the 2.5 gal of water, I add 1.5 scoops of "Jack's Classic" Blossom Booster 10-30-20 (about 1400ppm), 2.5ml of blackstrap molasses, 3ml K-L-N rooting concentrate (by Dyna-Gro), and 15ml of hydroguard (for a little biological re-enforcement). The key factors, for those who don't want to buy all of that, would be: the blossom booster and the K-L-N. But the molasses is really high in potassium, so it helps, too.

[cb977]

Jasen, the molasses idea is interesting...I'd never heard that one before!

[gixrj18]

Inside secret, I was fortunate enough to be taught.....sssshhhhhh.......don,t tell anyone. If you get it from the health food store, you can find up to 500mg of potassium per serving.Biiiiig blooms!

[Neverend]

I wish I could get the chemicals you guys mentioned to make my insignis grow roots.