Vanda in need

[Bree]

I was given a beautiful Vanda orchid 1 yr. ago, but I think I'm killing it. There seems to be something wrong with the leaves. They are falling off of the stem from the bottom-up and the parts of the roots that I can see above the bark look brownish and feel very brittle. The leaves that have fallen off are green and alive from the middle to the tips, but are stained brown and cracked closer to where they were attached to the stem. There is also an odd white-ish residue that feels chalky on all the leaves--even the green and (otherwise) healthy-looking ones. I'm worried that I've perhaps already killed the orchid and it's simply taking time to work its way up to the green leaves at the top.

Could this be a fungus/disease or is it too late for my orchid? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[fred]

hi Bree welcome to the forum
I hope that you enjoy your stay here with us
can you please go into your user settings and update your Profile with your Location as we are members from all over the world with different growing conditions.
also I have a link here from the American Orchid Society Culture Sheets
http://www.aos.org/aos/orchids/docum...ermedvanda.pdf

[WIB]

Is the whitish residue from mealy bugs? They can do a lot of damage to a plant and make it look pretty sick. To check for them, take a Q-tip and some rubbing alcohol and swab at the whitish residue. If you find a small brown insect coming off on the cotton of the Q-tip, that's what it is. I have been able to eliminate mealy bugs from infested plants with acephate (Ortho Systemic Insect Killer), which I think you would need if the plant is as heavily infested as it sounds. For it to be effective, I've had to use it at about three times the recommended strength (which didn't harm the plants in the least) and to apply it three times, about a week to ten days apart. You should properly spray the plant out of doors or inside some kind of protective container (a garbage bag would do) in a well-ventilated space. Cynthia, who posts often, has other, excellent recommendations. You can search on "mealy" and probably find various approaches. What I don't think will work is trying to pick off every one with rubbing alcohol, although orchids are so tolerant of the stuff that you could, probably, just pour it on the plant and hope to knock off a bunch of them. Things like neem oil won't touch them. -- Bill

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

A picture would help immensely. Could it possibly be very hard water you have?

[phalaephila]

How much light is your plant recieving, and what are the temperatures? How often do you water the plant? Some info on your growing conditions will help with the diagnosis. Hope to help,

Jeanne

[tom499]

You mentioned bark, so I'm guessing its potted.

I would take it out and see whats going on with the roots.

[Bree]

Thank you for the help. Here are a few more details on the orchid:

It's in a pot with a tray underneath. It has fairly big bark. The pot rests on pebbles in the tray because I read that you could put water in the tray underneath to help with simulated "humidity" as long as the roots aren't soaking in the water.

I water the orchid once a week, per the directions that came with it. I used to water it with a "bloom booster" (11-35-15) once a month, but when it started looking bad I stopped since I wasn't sure what was wrong with it and blooming was the least of my worries.

I moved to a 3rd floor NY apartment 2 months ago and I don't think it's getting the recommended 4 hrs. minimum of direct light, so I'm taking it to stay in a sunny bay window in Philly next week.

I lost another bottom leaf yesterday and the one across from it is partially off the stem, as well. I checked for mealy worms using alcohol and a q-tips as suggested, and I also checked it against pictures on the internet of orchids with mealy worms and I'm pretty sure that is not the cause of the white residue. I don't have hard water, either. What is the best way for removing the orchid from its pot to check out the roots without damaging them? I've included three pictures--one of the orchid (the bare stem at the bottom is where I'm losing leaves) and two of the fallen leaf (top and bottom). It's a pretty sad sight.

[jbigio]

Hi

It’s not unusual for bottom leaves to fall off as a plant grows I would be more worried if it was from the top of the plant. This could be caused from the leaves just having run their course to roots that are rotting from to much or to little water. Hold the stem of the plant turn the pot over on to some newspaper and if it doesn’t come right out try tapping the bottom of the pot that should do it. At that point shake off as much of the mix as you can to be able to inspect the roots. Health roots are firm if you pinch the. Soft or mushy root are dead. If the roots seem fine I would rinse off all the mix you can and re pot with fresh mix since it’s already out of the pot. If you find that all or some of the roots are bad trim them back to a part that’s still good or completely off if there that bad. Repot in a good mix and let it sit for a few days to rest from the re-potting. Water as you usually but if the problem is from over watering be careful. I had a similar problem with one of my Vandas and its now doing great.
Good luck
Joe

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Is that powdery residue only on the bottom side of the leaf? I'm tempted to suggest mites, but maybe not. You need to read the sticky on mites.

[kmarch]

I only have 1 Vanda so I'm not much of an expert on them but this plant doesn't look bad to me. It looks reasonably healthy. It looks like it would benefit from a more humid environment but other than that.... The white stuff looks like water residue to me.

[sandra]

Bree, your middle pic looks very much like what I had on one of my oncidiums. Here, take a look:Afraid to ask...

P.S. Kiss NY for me. I haven't been back in a long while.
P.P.S. Is Lundy's still there in Sheeps Head Bay? Great memories.

[digitalgate]

your vanda look lack of sunlight. From the new growth of the leave , it seem
that it is going to be very long leave.This suggest that the plant has not been getting enough sunlight.
From the browning of the bottom stem, i would
say your plant root is in trouble. If you can get the vanda to a warm greenhouse with high light. It will take about 6 months for the roots to regrow to a healthy size. The plant will eventually discard the roots at the bottom and regrow from the top. In another words your vanda is going
to grow another feet before it put out flower.

[Tobi]

Hi Bree,
Cynthia might be on the right track with mites. I had a Dendrobium which
showed very similar powdery markings on the leaves. I at first thought it
was some type of mold (fungus) until I learned later that it was infested
with mites.

[sandra]

Originally Posted by Tobi

Hi Bree,
Cynthia might be on the right track with mites. I had a Dendrobium which
showed very similar powdery markings on the leaves. I at first thought it
was some type of mold (fungus) until I learned later that it was infested
with mites.

Hmm, really Tobi? Then maybe I should start treating my Oncidium....

[digitalgate]

use a 10x magnify glass to check. They are cheap. Cost me just $2.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Actually a 4X jeweler's loupe will do too. You will need good light.

[digitalgate]

tried that. My eye sight is failing need a electron microscope to see clearly.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Well then, I would give all your orchids and any other plants sharing the area a dose or two of the Bayer Advanced 3 in 1 as a precaution, as I have had no damage from it so far in a very mixed collection, and it covers just about everything. While it is systemic for most pests, it is not systemic for mites, and a thorough spray job, especially under the leaves, is necessary.

[digitalgate]

I need a flame thrower , that what i need.