Vanda Problem

[Bolero]

Hi,

I am finding Vandaceous plants quite easy to grow. But I have discovered a problem with one plant. I have managed to somehow leave a soggy piece of bark in the crown of one of my Rhds Bangkok Sunrise plants and it's caused the top leave to rot at the base.

The rest of the leaves are ok and the rest of the plant is otherwise ok. So what happens if I remove the leaf that is rotten at the base? What happens to the plant and it's potential to flower?

Any thoughts? Is it like rotting the crown of a paph or is there some hope.

The piece of bark was soft and soggy and must have been sitting in there for a while and I just didn't notice it. All the other vanda's are healthy.

Thanks in advance.

[NewGrower]

I had to remove 3 base leaves on one of my Vandas awhile ago (when I bought it I didnt notice some dirt had gotten way down in there and the leaves were rotting away from the base).... I cleaned it all out and now its fine I am not sure its the same thing but maybe it will help! Good luck!

[pikkumyy]

if i remember correctly (i may not), the plant should survive but it should grow a side shoot and just continue on its way with a new grow from somewhere along the stem

[digitalgate]

crown rot for vanda is not as deadly as for phal. (you might get side shot) You should spray fungicides to prevent spreading to other plant. Also watch out for mite problem. Early stages of mite infection is difficult to spot. A better bet is spray neem oil or horticultural oil to kill them. A preventive spray is always a better bet than solving the problem.

[orchids4me]

Hi Bolero,
Remove the leaf I'd do what digital said. But put some cinnamon powder too on the cut to help also try and nip this in the bud so to speak. That's what I'd do

I had that same problem, This January, I was advised to cut the top of the plant because the second leaf to the top was rotting. Maybe I must have bent it and let water stay stagnant (it was mid winter indoors) I have to cut the three topmost leaves. I asked the advice of the oldest and most experienced of the Flowershop District on 28th street of Manhattan; they have a very well informed group of sellers there...I didnt know of cinammon yet and just went on and cut it with a clean sharp scissors and continued on with my regime of watering and misting it in the shower... It survived, the top grew a bit crooked (not like my healthy perfectly lined leaves vandas) had a baby growing on the base of the crown and the mother plant with a cut top is currently in bloom. Here are the pictures and with a visiting friend "the mantis"

[Bolero]

Thanks all and sorry for not responding earlier (I just remembered I posted this after looking at the plant). I will go and cut the leaf now, it's just the one leaf but I will cut the top to make sure I don't leave any residual rot there.

This has been a great help to me!