Rotting roots, Vanda orchid

[LVT]

Hi,
I am new to this forum and desperately need help with my Vanda orchid. I got this plant in June as a present. As I have only had Phals in the past, I cared for the Vanda orchid in the same manner. The plant started looking weak, and, having done some research I realized that I may have done more damage than good. I removed the plant from the pot to discover that the roots have rotted completely--they are brown and soft. The leaves of the plant are still green, although they do look a little wilted. Is there anything that can be done to save the orchid? Please help! Thank you.

[dounoharm]

first thing you have to do is dry it out...and cut off the rotten roots....place the plant in a basket with no medium at all and water whats left of the roots once a day. vandas need loads of light, much more than the phals do, so you need to hang it where it can get some sun durring the morning or evening but not enuf to burn...i will leave it to someone else to take over the rest of the house care, as i have a greenhouse, and am not familiar with growing vandas in the house...good luck and enjoy the board!

[LVT]

Thank you for the reply. The problem is that ALL of the roots seem to have rotted--they are dark brown in colour. Will new roots grow if I completely remove all the damaged roots?

[Ray]

Vandas take almost totally different conditions than do phals.

While they both like it really warm, the vanda will take quite bright light and prefers to have its root system dry almost immediately, which means a VERY open medium (if any at all) and frequent watering.

At this point, since the desiccation has already begun, you'd do well to try the sphag-n-bag method of recovery, as warmth and maximum humidity are essential.

[dounoharm]

as ray said, sphag and bag and pray is the next step....sorry, but next time you will know...all orchids like a little different culture, first thing to do when you get a new one is to study the culture sheets for that plant...and ask questions! good luck with the s' n' b'....

[LVT]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I will try the suggested method and hope for the best.

[Weebl]

I have good luck with vandas potted in coarse CHC with perlite in clear pots with air slits. I let them dry out more than any of the other orchids and the CHC seems to provide enough humidity when the medium's dry due to the water that is still absorbed in the core of it. This is how I grow vandas in the home as I don't have time to bend over backwards for bare-root vandas.

[breeindy]

cut off all rotted bits, spray with a fungicide and put in a small pot with no soil and wrap damp spag. moss around were the roots grow from. Keep moss just damp and you should get new roots pretty fast.