Please help with new vanda
 

Hello,
I have received new Vascostylis seedling today by mail. It was nicely packed in paper and I think it was not damaged by frost, but it spent 11 days wrapped in paper without water and I am worried that it could dry out. There are some dry roots but also some that look fresh, the leaves are strong.
I have potted it into a basket filled with moist orchid media and misted it all over. Could you please look at the pictures and let me know if it has a chance and what else should I do to keep it alive.
Thanks a lot

Did you feel any rotted roots? They look only a little dry but if you keep up with a regimented water schedule and not too often because you will rot the roots, then they shoulp plump up to normal. This is only based on what I know, so I hoped I helped and someone with more experience will chime in!

Unless it was frozen, a few days in the dark and dry won't hurt it.

What you do now depends completely on your growing conditions - especially light and humidity, but also temperature.

Check the Vanda forum and the culture sheet for detailed info.

I do not use any medium at all with my Vanda alliance orchids, but grow in wooden slat baskets. They really don't like their roots damp at all. Mine like to get soaked by a mist and then dry thoroughly.

Other growers in drier climates grow them successfully in empty vases. It seems that the vase just acts a s a humidity chamber. Again check the Vanda section.

My impression of Washington State is that you have high humidity, but might have trouble with light.

Those roots look pretty good to me, it should do fine. Looks nice in your basket. Vandas don't need to be planted so just watch your watering that it gets moisture but doesn't stay wet. Slowly introduce it to stronger light. Mine get a couple of hours of sun per day.

Thank you guys. So, no orchid mix for vanda. Should i take out the potting medium and leave the plant in the same basket but empty?
Thnaks again

I would take out all for a few pieces of bark.

Vandas are usually grown in a hardwood basket like these from Parkside Orchids: http://www.parksideorchids.com/image...n%20Square.jpg

Vanda roots can grow quite long and these hanging baskets let them hang out, and vanda roots need to dry completely and fairly quickly from what I understand between waterings. These baskets keep them from being too wet.

I have been growing my vanda for several years in a basket with large chunks of charcol and a little spagnum. This way, it still drys our quickly but doesn't need watering every day. The moss holds a little humidity for it. In the summer it is watered every 3rd day, with misting on sunny or dry days. Winter watering once a week. I would let its roots sit in water for 1/2 an hour, then let it dry out. That way it can re hydrate. Your plant looks fine.

That is a nice little plant you have there. How are you going to keep it depends of your conditions and watering habits. I grow mine in a regular orchid pot (with slits on sides) with medium size lava stones because as a window sill grower I cant supply enough moisture to keep them happy. Also I dont have space large enough to let roots grow out and keeping in a pot contains roots. This works for me.
The one I should note that the kind of basket you have will rot soon. Then you will have to repot it or just put the whole thing into larger basket.
Good luck!

I think it's fine the way it is.

Just watch how much you water.

I have Vandas potted in bark in clear plastic pots.