Vanda Help (lots of dead roots)

[NewGrower]

Hello all!
In the "General Chat" section I recently put up a post about how I was given 4 orchids from a good friend of mine....

One of which is this Vanda (picture attached)

My question is, with this HUGE Vanda would it be okay to cut off all the dead roots? There is a clear spot on the plant where there is new/live growth and then dead growth... would it be okay to cut it off at the stem (the main part of the plant) just above the dead roots? There are 3 new growths forming just above this and then 2 or 3 big soild roots coming out above that!
Its huge so getting rid of that part would help when it comes to watering and care....
Let me know what you think

[Mira-Claude]

Wet it. If it doesn't turn green it's dead.
If it's really dead I wouldn't see a reason not to cut it.

[NewGrower]

Yes I have soaked it several times and all of the bottom roots are dead (the skinnier ones) then at a point there are 2 off shoots and 3 big thick long happy live roots but everything below that is dead... I am pretty confident where to cut at (on the stem) I just wanted to make sure it wouldnt do anything bad to this beautiful plant!

[digitalgate]

you may need to trim the healthy root to encourage it to grow new roots.

[NewGrower]

How much and should I do it to all of them? There are 2 thick and long green healthy roots but the rest on the bottom are all dried up and dead

[NewGrower]

Okay I cut off the stem where all the dead roots were and it was all back and rotting inside! Ick! So I cut up until I got all the rot out of it and then wrapped a damp paper towel on the bottom (I read to use moss but I dont have any so I just used a paper towel...) apparently that helps promote roots to grow?
Any ways... any other suggestions to keep it going? I want to make sure its okay after all that! Thanks

[NewGrower]

Does anyone else have anything to add? I am so worried about it now that I trimmed it up (I am still a newbie so I always second guess myself!)

[BGGraham1]

Do you have any Superthrive or K-L-N rooting hormone? That should help boost some root growth. Or maybe some seaweed extract?

[Mira-Claude]

It's the same that happened with my vanda!
I was told to cut 2'' above the rot, and to put her in a ball of sphag, if impossible in a pot to wrap it in a platic bag with holes and to keep humid at all time.
The grower told me to use SuperThrive and to not open the sphag for at least a month.
If roots were appearing to wrap sphag losely around the new roots.
I did it and now my vanda is starting to grow a root, not out yet and is making a leaf.
Good luck!

[NewGrower]

Okay that makes me feel better.... Seaweed extract, what exactly would that do? I have seen it for sale at an Ace near me so I could go pick some up after work if its helpful!

[vandagirl]

Seaweed extract is very good for root growht. I use it a lot, and it really does help.

[jerrymeola]

I think your Vanda would be happier with much more water. In Florida that is every day and in the current heat wave outdoors they would appreciate water 2-3 times a day. The roots are actually thin for a plant this size and they are much shorter than I would like to see. It takes a lot of consistent water to get long roots.

Superthrive and K-L-H are idyul-butic acid which is not water soluble and as a results is used at about 1,000,000 - 1 in these products.

Seaweed is a natural source of gibberelic acid which is water soluble and is used at about 1,000- 10,000 to one. I use it in the concentrated form of Essentials Brand made by Growth Products.

Superthrive and K-L-H have a reputation of damage if used too concentrated whereas Essentials is harmless up to 100% application (but wasteful).

Having used Essentials for 3 years now I find a tremendous amount of basil keiki on my Phals and Vanda in addition to tremendous root growth. Quite a bonus.

[NewGrower]

I recieved this Vanda from a friend who didnt exactly know the proper care.... the only roots that are left are the 2 big thick ones, they are pretty long but do have some cracking from transport I have been watering it 1-2 times a day since its been in my care so I am hoping for a quick turn around, it definitely looks a little dried up!

Thanks for the help, I will look into the seaweed extract in the next few days (when I have time free from work!)

[NewGrower]

Here are some more pictures from before I cut all the old roots and dead part of the stem off!

[digitalgate]

it appear you still have a lot of dead root to cut and trim the healthy ones to encourage new root growth. New root absorb water faster than old root.

[NewGrower]

Yes all that is left are those two live roots on there (the thick ones on the top) ... I need to take more pictures tomorrow to show too (I am just super busy or else I would have done it by now.... I depend on this forum to help me keep my orchids alive haha)

[Mira-Claude]

One thing I have learn and decided to do with my second vanda and following is to literally drown them in the morning. Run her a bath as close to room temperature as possible and dunk her in there for 20 minutes up to an hour every day.
It works miracle with my v. kultana, might help yours!

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by digitalgate

... root ...trim the healthy ones to encourage new root growth. New root absorb water faster than old root.

Let's think about this for a moment. Cutting a healthy root, reduces the plant's ability to take in moisture and nutrients. Even if it does spur new root growth, which I;m not convinced it does, it will take time for the new roots to grow. How would reducing the plant's ability to eat and drink (if you'll excuse the informality of that language) help it to gain strength? It's counter intuitive. I'd never recommend cutting off functional healthy roots.

[NewGrower]

Yes considering my Vanda only had 2 thick live roots I tried not to mess with them, I figured if that started to work I would leave it alone but if it didnt I would try something else! So for now I havent messed with the live roots for that reason.... but hey what do I know I am just a newbie!