Vanda pachara delight brown roots

[Nena_orchid_lover]

Hello all,
I am new to this forum and need help. Iam new to growing orchids inside the house. I bought my first Vanda in January. I potted in a ceramic pot because I can not grow it bare root in the house and need a way to retain humidity. I have it in my South facing window.

the old roots of my Vanda Pachara Delight FCC/JOGA turned light brown when dry and dark brown when wet. It is in bark mix. Iam worry that the roots have some infection? but at same time it is giving me new roots that look healthy.

Any help or advice I will really appreciate it

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Notice the linear wrinkling of the leaves. It isn't getting enough water.

The old roots are trying to adapt to a different growing situation. The new roots look very healthy. The plant should adapt and grow well. But you need to water more often.

A Vanda in large bark in a home would need to be watered every 2-4 days, depending on the temperature and humidity. Air at the roots is very important, but your large bark provides that.

I would start watering every 2 days. When you water, set the pot in a container of water, and let it soak for a few hours. The leaves should become smooth within a week. If they don't, consider watering every day.

Vandas need a lot of fertilizer to grow both leaves and roots, more than almost any other kind of orchid. What kind of fertilizer do you have?

What are your day/night temperatures, and ambient humidity?

[Nena_orchid_lover]

Thank you. I was afraid I was watering too much and the roots were rooting. I read many sites that I should let the bark dry before watering again so I was only watering 2 or 1 time a week. Iam using same fertilizer for all my orchids, MSU 13-3-15 for tap water every time I water and the 4th time I use only tap water.
I don't know my humidity but I have the house right now
71F night and 74 F day. Outside it is dry until summer gets here. In Winter at night we had the heater at 67F.

Any recommendations for fertilizer and where to get it?

Also do you know how much bigger it has to be before it blooms for first time?

I also own Cattleya Smith dick, D. Frosty dawn and two phalaenopsis.

Thank you again.

[estación seca]

Vandas need a lot of water.

Your home is cool for Vandas but they will grow, slowly. It needs to be about twice or three times that size before it blooms.

MSU is fine for orchids. How are you mixing the fertilizer?

Den. Frosty Dawn should not dry out. Do you mean C. Dick Smith? Catts can just dry out during watering.

[Nena_orchid_lover]

I use the MSU 5.00 CC to a gallon of water.
Yes, that is the Cattleya I have.

[estación seca]

That fertilizer concentration is probably too high to use 4 out of 5 waterings, especially at somewhat cooler temperatures, at which the plants won't grow very fast.

5ml/1 tsp per gallon / 3.78 liters is probably OK for your Vanda, one watering out of 5. Use plain water for the other 4.

For the others I'd use either 1/8 teaspoon / 0.625ml per gallon at every watering, or 1/4 to 1/2 tsp per gallon once a week.

[Nena_orchid_lover]

Thank you 😊 estacion seca, I really appreciate your time and great tips.