Vanda Miss Joaquim

[maninair]

Dear all,

The bottom of my Vanda Miss Joaquim has turned brown, but new leaf growth and root growth can be seen. Is there any problem?

[kmarch]

How are you growing it? In a pot? basket? hangar?
Can you specify "bottom"? Do you mean the part furthest form the growing end?

[digitalgate]

too much water gathered at the bottom., make sure the water drain properly. seen my
Miss Joaquim bloom?

however, how high has the "browness" travel up the main stem?
RMT you should also post your blasted bud here too.

[maninair]

It is in a pot with bricks and coal. I water in the morning. Bottom meaning the end which touches the brick pieces.

[digitalgate]

don't worry. this is normal. If now is the dry season for you,spray water in the morning on
the root (if they grow roots above the pot level.)If you water in the evening, other problem
will arrive. Oh, morning as in 7am in the morning not 10am.

i hope it does not travel up the stem , it that happen then you will rotting problem.(too
much water)

[mdomingz]

My vanda Miss Joaquim is all shriveled, it's about 4' tall, still growing (rather slow, though) but it's got small brounish dry looking blotches through the whole length of the plant. It may be fungus, but i'm not sure how fungus look on terete leaves. It's planted in soil for about a year now, (i had it before in just coconut coir). It's out in my balcony in full sun most of the day. Good overall humidity (tropical). All the air roots are skinny too but turn green when sprayed water on. I know it's supposed to be plump, firm and even in color, but it's not, and that really bothers me. I've sprayed anti fungal spray several times, but it seems to have no result. The same with bug spray with same results. Leaves are still green but super skinny and soft.

I spray it almost every morning to get the aerial roots some water, the soil is always kept moist.

I really want some advice, since i love this plant, and dont want to loose it or worse, transfer whatever is has to the others.

thanks in advance for any help

manuel
panama

ps. i'll post a pic as soon as i can

[digitalgate]

it need a rainy weather of 1 week to suck up all the water it need. Is your rainy season
coming? The brown thing you describe , sound like scale.

[maninair]

Dear digitalgate,

My vanda miss joaquim is one year old. It is growing on brick and coco peat. Can I transfer it to soil now? please advise.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by maninair

...It is growing on brick and coco peat. Can I transfer it to soil now? please advise.

Soil? Goodness no, don't plant your Vanda in soil. Most folks grow vandas either bare root in a basket with no or very little mix with the roots hanging down, or they grow them in pots with large bark mix.

[digitalgate]

kelvin, all our Vanda miss joaquim is grown on compost.

Mannair, Yes you can tranfer to compose with coco peat. (or just $3 a bag compost is fine)
Do you have any roots being developed up the plant? If you have put a 1 inch stick about
1.5m to support the plant. The roots will stick itself on the wood and somehow help to
absorb nutrient. Therefore you have to water the soil and the woodstick that you tie the
plant to as the root will be growing on the wood.
I think your plant have grow to about 40 cm in height? You can go ahead and put it into
full sun. Water twice a day and fertilize everyother watering (very diluted). It is
a heavy feeder plant.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by digitalgate

kelvin, all our Vanda miss joaquim is grown on compost.

My..that's interesting..and so different from what we do. Do you have a pic so I can see better what you mean?

P.S. It's Kevin, not Kelvin.

[digitalgate]

sorry for the messy photo. The pot is on the bottom left hand corner.


notice the plant's root covered in dried leaves which hide the soil underneath

ok i lied a bit this one is not in compost but charcoal

this one is in soil

[tom499]

ooooohhhh becomes clear now!

I see them sold as Vanda tere, they are the Thai official plant or something? Please correct though

But I have seen these crop up on ebay as Vanda tere plants. Not a great source I know, but its worth a mention.

[digitalgate]

no, this is Singapore national flower. Just like slipper orchids is Minnesota state flower.
Rose is the national flower of England.

[palito]

thanks for that info digitalgate. i just got a cut branch of papilionanthe teres. Ill put it in a pot like in your pic instead of just hanging bare. At least it is more presentable when in flower.

[kmarch]

The second pic especially helps me understand much better. Thanks. This is really fascinating. I wonder if they could be grown like that anywhere in the US or maybe in northern Australia which is more tropical.

[tom499]

Sorry for the mix up digitalgate.

Thanks for the info, I'll have to look out for them.

[maninair]

I have got Vermicompost - it is okay?

[digitalgate]

Originally Posted by palito

thanks for that info digitalgate. i just got a cut branch of papilionanthe teres. Ill put it in a pot like in your pic instead of just hanging bare. At least it is more presentable when in flower.

i wouldn't recommend for other Vanda. There are some Vanda terete type
that only grow on charcoal. Soil is not recommended for them. (therefore
experience really count). Vanda miss joaquim grow almost anywhere. On the wall
on the wood, on brick, on soil, in compost, ... That is why it is chosen as
state flower. It grows on you too...

[maninair]

Thanks digital, I will give a try.

[sandra]

Originally Posted by digitalgate

Vanda miss joaquim grow almost anywhere. On the wall on the wood, on brick, on soil, in compost, ... That is why it is chosen as state flower. It grows on you too...

Did you just make that up digitalgate...the part, "it grows on you too".....? obviously meaning how if you don't now, you'll end up loving it...

I love the sentiment!

[switchblade]

I grow a VMJ and a poe poe got them as cuttings at a nursery in the same pot. at the nursery they are grown in soil and i was told that i should plant them in soil. in fact whenever I have seen them they are grown in soil. the aerial roots are starting to kinda wither but there is new root growth at the base alot of new roots are growing at the base. I am about to move and I am dying to plant the cutting. think I'm going to plant it in some bark, soil in full sun. The area is really windy would this ;ower humidity even though i live in the tropics?????

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Tom, Miss Joaquim is a hybrid of teres and hookeriana. Stories I've read say that it was first discoverd as a natural hybrid of the above two plants.

[digitalgate]

Originally Posted by switchblade

I grow a VMJ and a poe poe got them as cuttings at a nursery in the same pot. at the nursery they are grown in soil and i was told that i should plant them in soil. in fact whenever I have seen them they are grown in soil. the aerial roots are starting to kinda wither but there is new root growth at the base alot of new roots are growing at the base. I am about to move and I am dying to plant the cutting. think I'm going to plant it in some bark, soil in full sun. The area is really windy would this ;ower humidity even though i live in the tropics?????

let one or 2 roots established first then you put it into full sun. Morning will
suffice for the young cutting. They will grow in almost any media. If you put them against the wall
then it will climb the cement wall. But the root will have a terrible time absorbing
water. RMT's VMJ climb his cement wall and has grown 2 feet in 4 months.
So
fertilize heavily when it has established itself and give full sun.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

These descriptions of full sun, and all those exposed roots would never work in Arizona, too dry. So plan your efforts according to how dry your environment is. My teres, a very similar plant, is grown in my GH, humidity ranging fro 50% to 80% at night, but more often 60%. It has roots in a pot that gets the usual orchid watering, but gets an aerial root misting every day. It gets no more than 3000 fc, and is currently in spike.

[switchblade]

Thanks for the advice. I have a dead cashew tree that would be superb for letting the little miss grow on. Would that help its aerial roots to absorb water once attached??? I have to say I fell inlove with this orchid since I first saw one in the country. It just seemed to flourish without any human input, so I jumped at the chance when i saw one at the nursery about a month and a half ago. The didn't have the names on the VMJ or on the Poe poe and came on the site to identify the orchid I must say I hae learned alot from you guys and I'd like to say thanks.

[maninair]

I am attaching a recent photo of my Vanda Miss Joaquim.
Thanks
Mani

[maninair]

One more photo of my VJM which is more clear.

[digitalgate]

But not bad at all. It should grow 30cm in 3 to 6 months time.
I think you put too much cow dung, or is that soil?
roots look fantastic too! Use a 4cm by 2 cm wood to tie your plant. The roots will wrap itself around the wood. It will outgrow the small piece of wood you have right now.

[maninair]

Thanks for your reply and glad to know that my orchid is growing fine. There is no soil. It is coir peet mixed with brick peaces and cow dung. Can I put little red soil also? I will put the wood as suggested by you, but I fear it will disturb the orchid.

Thanks - Mani

[switchblade]

I had a recent disaster with the little miss. My mom allowed the dogs to trample my VJM breaking it in half!!! so far the top half seems to be doing alright especially after the recent rains. it even grew!!! It is one of my favorites and is tough and resilient if it survives IT WILL BE MY ALL TIME FAV!

[switchblade]

By The Way Is The Manure Really Good For Vjm. I Might Try It If It Is.

[digitalgate]

i rotate between manure and inorganics fertilizer. The plant don't do well with just inorganics fertilizer.

[maninair]

Dear Digitalgate,
I have collected some pigeon droppings near our balcony last month. Can I feed my VJM with the pigeon dropping ? What are the benefits and harm. What is your suggestion.

[butt0n]

Glad I stumbled on this thread...should be helpful once mine arrive.

[digitalgate]

Mani
be careful of bird flu.

[maninair]

Yes I am taking care. Thanks for your concern digitalgate.

Mani

[maninair]

It is very hot in Mumbai. all the roots of my VMJ are dried. I am watering only in the morning. shall I water in the night also?

[digitalgate]

yes you should. it can withstand torrential rain. provided you provide full sun light as much as possible.

[maninair]

Thanks digitalgate.

[maninair]

Dear digitalgate. Our morning sun is really hot. My VMJ is getting direct sunlight in the morning and it is in the east window. Is it right if I cover the top with some sort of screen so that it can avoid the direct sunlight? What is your opinion. I think VJM likes the Indian monsoon very much as during the monsoon it looks happy.

[maninair]

Dear digitalgate, yesterday I bought some fish emulsion from our local nursery. Can I use it for my VMJ? How to use? Please help.

[digitalgate]

anything is fine. Just water, fertilize and pray hard nothing else happen. Ahh.. Mani Hot weather for you. Just as well, water into the media 3 time a day if you can do that. But
has your cow dung break down? Be patience. my 2 foot cutting only grew 10cm so far in
3 months. While other VJM hybrid grew 10cm in 1 month..

[maninair]

Thanks Digitalgate, it is very hot here in Mumbai 32 C and night 23 C. How is the climate in Singapore now. Yes I will water at least two times a day. The cow dung has broken down as I can't see anything in the pot.

[digitalgate]

trying using inorganic fertilizer. dont use the same thing.
Weather, raining everyday since last june.(may be 1 or 2 day break)

[maninair]

Leaves of my VMJ is looking shrivelled and turned greenish brown color. The winter has just started in Mumbai. Night is around 18 C and day 28 C. Is it because of the cold? I water in the morning. Whether I have to reduce or increase the frequency of watering. Please help.

Regards,

Mani

[maninair]

The leaves are still looking dried. Please help me.

[digitalgate]

do you still have full sun on the plant? Look like you dont have enought sun light and humidity is low now. You need at least 60%. Soak the plant for 1 day and bake the plant in sunlight during the day. repeat the process 4 days later. apply fungicides once a week is a minimum as the plant is being hydrated and fungus like that. If it does not improve the
situation, try soaking the plant in water every other day. But fungus will tend to be a problem for you. I watered the plant twice a day and it did not restore the shrivelled stem. instead new growth is so much healthy and growing faster too. I feel that in a hot and dry weather you can water more than twice a day.

[trinigirl]

Thanks for the good advise on this vanda. I am waiting to hear good news on this vanda. I also have one that is not doing well. I will try to soak it,and hopefully I will get new healthy growth.

[maninair]

Originally Posted by digitalgate

do you still have full sun on the plant? Look like you dont have enought sun light and humidity is low now. You need at least 60%. Soak the plant for 1 day and bake the plant in sunlight during the day. repeat the process 4 days later. apply fungicides once a week is a minimum as the plant is being hydrated and fungus like that. If it does not improve the
situation, try soaking the plant in water every other day. But fungus will tend to be a problem for you. I watered the plant twice a day and it did not restore the shrivelled stem. instead new growth is so much healthy and growing faster too. I feel that in a hot and dry weather you can water more than twice a day.

The plant is getting full sun and the humidity is okay. Now I see one new leaf coming, but that is also greenish brown in color. I now remember once I put some fish meal near its roots and watered immediately. Is the browning of leaf because of that?

[digitalgate]

nah, it is healthy. Unless it is green when it comes out and turn brown . That would be a problem. Keep doing the same thing, water, sun, talk to the plant.(dont work all the time_)

[lmartiny]

I have a plant from a cutting that has a very similar looking leaf. All the tag says is teres. "Tisbe.' I was told to tie it to a post in full sun. That wasn't going well so I rescued it and potted it, moving it out of full sun. It has plumped back up a little.
When you say full sun, does that mean full, undiluted sun?

[digitalgate]

full unfiltered sun, it is possible you did not water well enough. You need to put either
saw dust at the base of the plant or moss at the base(which i hate using it).

[adralph]

I'm just wondering... How do you soak the plant in water when the plant is in a pot?

[digitalgate]

Originally Posted by adralph

I'm just wondering... How do you soak the plant in water when the plant is in a pot?

having a big pail might help. That is nothing really you can do if your environment has low humidity.

[maninair]

Dear digitalgate,

My VJM is now growing little faster and it is 3/4 feet. I am attaching a photo. Kindly see it and let me know when can I expect the flowering. Now the summer will start here and I water it in the morning. It is in full sunlight and it gets 4 hours sunlight. Once in a month I am putting goats dung and bonemeal.

Regards,

Mani.

[digitalgate]

No wonder your plant is growing so slowly. I have a VJQ that is shorter than your plant that i tried after the first discussion we had in feb 2008. It was only 10cm long back then. It is now more than a metre in height . 4hours of sunlight is too short for this plant and you might not have provide sufficient water for the plant. Is stem a little shriveled ? Then you need to change potting material to compost or saw dust( which you can get from a wood mill) Bury a layer of goat dung about 5 cm in thickness on top of the potting material. This is growing far too slow.

[maninair]

Thanks digitalgate for your reply. I will put the plant on south facing balcony which gets 5 hours sunlight. Is it sufficient. I water only in the morning, because by the time I reach home it is too late. The stem is not shriveled and green in color. Can I transplant it now to saw dust medium? I will get it from the furniture shops. Goat dung is also available here. I have kept a tray down with water for moisture. Now my VJM is two years old.
Regards,
Mani.