Sudden Leaf Drop in Vanda Orchids: Fusarium - a Lethal Fungal Infection of Stem And Roots

A fungal infection with Fusarium in Vandas can be lethal if it remains untreated. I’ll sum up everything I know about this infection and show pictures (including follow ups) of three cases. All information in this video is based on my oberservation, experiences and internet research - it's just my hobbyist's point of view. Fusarium infections in orchids is a complex topic. I'm a hobbyist who is not able to perform tests to verify a diagnosis, thus my perspective is limited. Yet it appears to me that anthocyanin deposits (a purple ring) in rhizomes can occur in healthy plants. A possible explanation: Anthocyanin deposits might act as a defense mechanism in parts of the plant that are exposed to pathogens, for example in rhizomes or roots in bad medium. That might be the reason why purple rings are found in plants that suffer from some kind of infection, let it be Fusarium or something else. And if we find a purple ring and the plant appears healthy, the defense might have worked. These are not hard facts, though, please do as much of your own research as you can. It's just a different perspective that I wanted to share. Happy growing! :)
My partner and I have created an App for the iPhone called „Orchid Collection“.
Link to the App in the App Store: appsto.re/de/-Th5eb.i
Orchid Pests and Diseases, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention by Sue Bottom. Search for fusarium in this pdf file to find pictures and treatment instructions: www.phelpsfarm.com/OrchidPests...
St. Augustine Orchid Society Q&A on Vandas, you’ll find information on Fusarium in Vandas, a Vanda with a palm tree look and a dyhydrated Vanda: www.staugorchidsociety.org/cul...
Here’s an interesting blog article by Tommy Ljunggren who has an impressive Vanda collection: tommyljunggren.blogspot.de/201...
Saving a Vanda from Fusarium Rot on pickanorchid.com: pickanorchid.com/vanda-orchid-...
Here's an interesting article on the role of anthocyanins in plant defense in general: research.haifa.ac.il/~biology/...
Music in this video (KZbin Audio Library):
Pioneers by Audionautix, licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/....
Artist: audionautix.com/

[@laurieparis2203]

Extremely helpful! Thank you for turning your Fusarium Nightmare into a positive learning experience for us all.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank yo very much, Laurie! It would be great if the video would help somebody. :)

[@PictureMaria1]

What an amazing and very educational video!!! A very scary and topic to discuss but is something that is critical in addressing so that we can be alert and aware...I really appreciate this video...Thank you so much...you my dear are awesomo! :)

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you so much for your kind comment, Maria! :) I just wanted to pass on the experiences I made with it, because it can be such a sneaky disease. I really hope it will help someone and I'm glad that so many people watched the video already, I mean more than one thousand, that's a lot for my small channel. :)

[@iyamt]

This is the most informative video about vandas suffering of fusarium on youtube

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you so much! :D

[@Rommism]

Truly... experience is the best teacher. Thank you for this video.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

:)

[@blancaacosta333]

A very important video. We all need to be aware of this infection. Thank you

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you, Blanca! I'm glad you liked the video. :)

[@edisonarce3950]

@@bumblebeesorchids3408 thank you for the information , and vanda orchids po in i nfected ,The leaves has black spots ,what is the best treatment for this ,thank you po,

[@mathie2037]

Thank you so much for posting this video. I just threw away a portion in one of my orchids that I suspected had this nasty fungus. I hope the rest survives. Best regards to you.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you, Elizabeth. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the other ones will be fine. Happy growing! :)

[@lucythecat529]

Very good information. I am sure it will benefit a lot of people. Thank-you!

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you, Lucy, that would be great! :)

[@desertplantsofavalon]

Such a BRILLIANT and very informative video about Fusarium, and it will help so many Orchid growers to be aware of this, especially when it comes to choosing plants in garden centres, shows etc,I think Vandas are so BEAUTIFUL with their gorgeous fan like leaf arrangements :-) this fungal infection looks so awful, and it looks like such a devastating infection, some of my cacti and succulents are prone to horrible fungal infections too, and I always treat with fungicides too and cut out as much as the infection as possibly visible but sometimes it spreads as fast as lightening, thanks so much for sharing your experiences with this horrible fungal infection and making more people aware of it and what to look out for :-) Sending heaps of love and happiness and tons of happy growing from Ireland and have a MAGICAL new week ahead XXXXXX

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

+Desert Plants of Avalon Thank you very much for watching and commenting, Lyn! :) I love my Vandas very much and they've become very rewarding flowerers with time. I hope the video might help to save someone's Vanda one day. By the way, I'm going to catch up with your videos, but I didn't want to watch them in a hurry. I'm really looking forward to watching them, especially the watering theme, because I keep underwatering my succulents. :)

[@zoehilger3907]

I bought a Vanda last week, it has exactly the symptoms youre talking about. Thankfully, i got a huge discout on the prize because i saw the infection, but since i have no experience with vandas, i didnt know what to do. Thank you for this vid!

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

I'm glad it helped. Good luck with nursing it back to health. :)

[@orchidsadutchy4940]

Very good and informative. This is a scary infection, and I have heard of cases of vandas losing leaves very fast and dying suddenly. Sometimes it happens after being watered so that water stays in between the leaves and causes a fungal infection (I don't know if it's fusarium, but it could be, since what happens is so similar). It's so good that you showed some examples and explained the symptoms and what to look for, such that people might be able to recognize it when they see it, before buying the plant.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

+Orchids & a Dutchy Thank you. :) Yes, I've heard that water between the leaves could be a cause. Maybe the fungus can multiply in there and get access to the plant, I don't know. But I think there might be some defence mechanisms and it's only able to thrive and cause symptoms in plants that are weakend somehow ( by transport or wrong care etc.).

[@robertagrigsby9363]

Thank you for the video with good pictures of what it looks like and all the information!! Very helpful to watch!

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

+Roberta Grigsby Thank you very much for watching and commenting, Roberta! :)

[@mimasgarden1265]

Watching this video with tears in my eyes, for a few days ago I felt so proud of myself because I found at Lowes a Vanda and I practically begged the store clerk to sell it to me at a discount because it was dead ( I have been rescuing orchids for two years now) but I have never asked to pay less then the price marked. I have been very successful so far with my plants, but this particular vanda really looked like it had no chace. Clerk let me have it for $3.00. I was so excited to start my new project on reviving the vanda. Well I did notice something different from all my other 82 rescued orchids. I did the usual, cleaning, sanitizing etc. Well this was a week ago, every morning I would check it with a feeling in my heart that there was something different with her that I had never encountered before and by coincidence I find this video. I am so saddened because I think that my vanda has what you are talking about. I do not want to dispose of it. She is one of those Better Grow Orchids In A bag... What should I do?

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Oh Ruth, I'm so sorry! :( Don't fret about it too much if she doesn't make it. 82 rescues - wow that's just wonderful! :) Here are my thoughts on your Vanda: I think I would toss it away if the infection has taken over most of the plant. But if there's still a lot left and you really want to give it a try, just don't water this plant together with others to not transmit the disease and consider making a cutting to get rid of the affected part. If the top is sick and the bottom is healthy: Just cut the top, keep the bottom and wait and see. A piece of healthy stem with roots can produce keikis like here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIfcg6J8nJuKaM0 It's more difficult if you don't live in a tropical climate, but it's possible theoretically. If only the top is healthy and the bottom part including roots is sick, cut the bottom part an toss it away. Even if you're left with a rootless piece of stem and leaves there's still hope that she'll grow some new roots like the one at 9:50 that managed to pull through. My fingers are crossed for your Vanda. Let me know what has become of it. Good luck and don't be too sad no matter what, always think about the 82 plants you were able to save, that's such a great success! :)

[@mimasgarden1265]

Thank you so much for your fast response. I so appreciate it. I did have her close to two other vandas, but has been moved to my "ICU" station with a "private space". Will give her a few weeks. Wish I knew how to add a picture here so you could see her. The problem is on the bottom part. Will keep you updated. Once again thank you. Because of your video I not only learned something new, but it also saved my other vandas :-). Happy growing.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

I think they will be all right if they just stood next to each other and didn't share water. And if they did, it doesn't mean they are infected, but one has to be careful. :) Thanks a lot for your kind words, I really appreciate it and am glad that the video helped you. :)

[@christrinder1255]

Thank you for relying and your advice. ☹️but I'm pleased to have got your experienced opinion.👍👍Many thanks.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

You're very welcome. Happy growing! :)

[@mandyorchids4938]

Oh fusarium is so scary 😱 I have had a few orchid loses to what I think was fusarium, which included two vandas. This video was very informative and excellently executed, thank you for sharing it.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

+Arlene Ontiveros Yeaah, it can be really bad. I'm very sorry for your losses. :( But the good thing is that eventhough it can be desastrous there's a chance to save an orchid. I got a Vanda with an Fusarium infection last year and it wasn't a drama this time, because I knew what to do.

[@Sarawena]

Thank you so much for this Video! I had 5 Vandas that died because of this infection and i didn't know why. Now I do and i can look out for symptoms on other vandas thank you so much

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

You're very welcome and thank you very much for your kind comment! :) I'm so sorry that 5 of your Vandas died and my fingers are crossed that there'll be no more losses in the future.

[@quickbug]

Thank you for this video. Just lost a vanda today, but know what to look for next time!

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you for commenting, Austin! I'm sorry you lost a Vanda and hope you'll never have to experience that again. Happy growing!

[@orchidana6804]

I found your video right after getting thrown in the garbage a gorgeous Vanda with Fusarium. I only hope that others may be saved. Thank you.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

I'm sorry that you lost that Vanda and I hope you'll never have to deal with Fusarium again. :/

[@orchiiidsonyoutube6714]

a very interesting and educational video. Thank you so much, I enjoyed watching it.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thanks a lot, I'm glad you liked it. Happy growing! :)

[@user-ix7hy6by1i]

Just topped my ascda jakkrit gold. I expected it to have Fusarium. Upon inspection of the stem I saw not a purple ring but another infection. This video gave me the courage to take action and use my abilities to save my orchids versus just watching then coast away. Thank you. She has 3 roots left (the only ones with active root tips). Plenty of foliage. Hopefully on the way to recovery.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

I wrote a few thoughts on the purple ring in the description box of the video. I've mostly seen brown and black in Vandas' stems. It's extremely important to get rid of the infected tissue reliably. Plenty of foliage with three roots is a very good start. My large brownish Vanda that I show in almost every Vanda video had two or three roots after the cut and it's a huge and healthy plant today. I'll keep my fingers crossed that your decisive intervening will pay off. :)

[@hobbiesorchidgirl3272]

thanks for sharing your vanda experience, i did bought a vanda a month ago with lots of roots and leaves after a month cutting off the damage roots and leaves i have only few and short roots left , and the new roots and leaves is starting to grow

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

+Rachel Alic Thank you, Rachel! I hope you can nurse it back to health. :)

[@daniatortelli5995]

This video is amazing! Thank you for sharing!

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you Dania. I'm glad you liked it. Happy growing!

[@GrowingOrchidswithRoger]

Good information - always better when real examples can be shown even though it's sad when it's your own orchids. I've been trying to get across that when you buy an orchid you don't know about it's journey and care/storage before it arrived. I've seen phals for sale in garden centers in the UK that have open sides - the day/night temperatures in the Winter would be far too low so the plants are already damaged/weakened before you buy them. I've seen traders moving their plants from show to show and leaving their orchids in the van overnight when it's freezing. Market traders with phals on show when it's just 2C. A weakened orchids will always be the first to be attacked. We need to be careful out there. Good research/information. Thanks.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

+Roger Frampton Thanks, Roger! I've seen plants with cold damage on shows, too. Sometimes it's difficult for the vendors to protect their plants on transport. But some market traders just don't care or don't know anything about the plant they sell, because they're "just" mass produced orchids.

[@TracMcNguyen]

yikes! that sounds awesome. but I'm glad to see your vanda made a great recovery. I'm going to check on my vanda to see if I have those characteristic roots when I get home. thanks for a very informative video.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

+Trac McNguyen Thanks, Trac! I'm over it now, but it was really frustrating at the time. :)

[@karendennis8749]

Excellent Video, and beautiful voice.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Oh, thank you very much, Karen! :) Happy growing!

[@ginakapuscinski9698]

THANK YOU !!!! So very helpful…

[@susansprairieorchids2573]

Excellent video, very informative, well done. Thank you.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

+Susan's prairie orchids Thank you for watching and commenting. :)

[@maureenhauser9423]

Thank you for that great talk now I no what to look for in my vandas

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

I hope you'll never encounter anything like this. :) Happy growing!

[@Adeyto]

Thank you so much!!!!!!!! this was so helpful!!!! me too I just bought a Vanda from someone who brought them from Thailand, most of the roots are dry and stiff, I bought it like that because I'm a newbie and I had no idea of Anything about Vanda. Seeing your pictures & explanation makes me almost certain that I got an infected orchid...it is too small not even 30cm so I don't think I can cut it. But I will try fungicides....

[@lcephoenix]

I stumped onto this topic because I breed/produce Fusarium at work (different species though). Naturally, I immediately feared the worst for my vandas but you saying that the palm tree look doesn't have to be due to a Fusarium infection just brought me some peace. It should be obvious but I also didn't realise that infected leaves obviously would start wilting at the stem, not the tip. My mind is at peace again, knowing that my vandas look the way they do due to neglecting them and not watering them enough. Thank you for this video!

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you for commenting, I'm glad this video could help. Happy growing! :)

[@sunahyun6339]

That was great, I man for letting us know. Thank you....

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

+Sunah Yun Thank you, Sunah, you're very welcome.

[@linak.5956]

Très intéressante et instructive vidéo. Merci !👍💕😘

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Merci beaucoup pour ton commentaire. :)

[@anndriggers6660]

Very informative video. Thank you

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

🙏🌸

[@whitemare2721]

i wish i viewed your video a month ago perhaps I have saved my vanda infected with fungus. It made me feel bad. I've been searching videos here in youtube for whatever that could help but nothing. Thanks for your video.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Oh, I'm sorry you didn't find it earlier. I hope you'll be lucky with another Vanda one day.

[@whitemare2721]

Bumblebee yeah,tnx. God bless.

[@auroraamaia4332]

Thank you for a very good video Please do more I'm very new to grow vanda I really enjoy your videos

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you! :) I plan to film a couple of Vanda videos, but it might take a couple of weeks/months until they're ready.

[@Zapton5]

I don't have any vandas yet. But I will. And I want to thank you for putting this info in my head. I'll file it away in the back of my mind and try not to forget it. As am betting I'll need it one day.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Victor, that's great, thank you for your kind comment! If you won't need it for your own Vandas which I hope maybe you can help a friend one day. :)

[@helenhawkins4054]

Really informative, thanks.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you, Helen! :D Happy growing!

[@jackiebinkley4391]

Brilliant video. I have a feeliing I may have one with this

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

+Jackie Binkley Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you can fight whatever it may be. Good luck and thank you for watching and commenting, Jackie!

[@BrendaSchonig]

Thank you great info

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you, Brenda! 🙏☺️

[@neerajdheer9273]

good presentation 👍

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you! 🙏🍀

[@MiracleOrchids1]

Very informative video! it's a shame you had to deal with this desise. This might be Thank you so much for sharring this with us!

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

+Miracle Orchids Thank you, Ana Maria! :)

[@jonathnnn]

Thanks, very informative and to the point video, it is as you say, out of experience fungicides rather are used in a preventive way as in a curative manner. Fungi infected tissue is best removed and healthy parts should be treated as an act of prevention.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

+jonathnnn Thank you for watching and commenting. :) I think I've read that Dr. Motes recommends periodic preventive spraying of fungicides for prevention and disease control.

[@Ellofez]

Omg ! I just bought my first Vanda Mimi Palmer she was not cheap and same thing happens to mine I thought it was my fault . I got it like the seller from eBay . Thank you for sharing that info .

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

+Ellofez Oh no! I'm very sorry. The same happened to me many years ago, also with a Mimi Palmer. I didn't know about Fusarium at this point and about two weeks after it was over. If it happened shortly after you received the Vanda, maybe you can complain and get a refund?

[@Ellofez]

+Bumblebee I will try but still want a Vanda so bad . Thank you for sharing yes mine lasted less then two weeks .

[@birdluvrs]

Thank you for this informative video. I believe I have a small vanda with this...it has been constantly losing leaves and their are black spots on the stem. Since I have two of these, one of which is green and healthy looking, I've decided to dispose of the sick one, so as to not infect any other orchids, hopefully. Mine is not big enough to try and save as you have done with yours in the video:(

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

I'm sorry to hear you have an affected Vanda as well. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the second one will be fine.

[@Banano91f]

Thank you!

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

You're very welcome, Francesco! :)

[@birdluvrs]

Thank you for posting this video. Unfortunately, I believe a recent purchased Vanda of mine, may have this.The leaves are doing exactly the same thing by yellowing at the base and falling off, while there may still be a green one below the yellowed one. It already has few roots, and so, I'm not looking forward to cutting off a large part of the stem:(

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Sorry for replying so late. I hope your Vanda has made it. :/

[@dianasorchids]

Great information on this video. So sorry you and your plant had to suffer like that. Your right about mask and gloves but at least it is one step that can alleviate possible immunological pathogens into the lungs or dermis.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you. It's been a long time, luckily today it's all set and done. I actually didn't think of protection from the pathogens, but rather from the fungicides. But both makes very much sense, I suppose. Happy growing! :)

[@dianasorchids]

Thank you😄. Have a sunny day to enjoy your Beauties.

[@merlinabalinton9748]

Thank you for a very helpful video. With a heavy heart i’ll cut my infected vanda today. Purchased your orchid app yesterday.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

I'll keep my fingers crossed you'll be able to save your Vanda. Thanks for purchasing the app. I hope you'll enjoy it. :) Happy growing, Merlina!

[@annathornburn4716]

I had never heard of this before watching this, but unfortunately I think this is exactly what killed my Vanda within 2 weeks of me receiving it. When it arrived it already had lost 10 leaves from the sale photo and then continued whilst with me until it only had three left and I threw it out. Thought it was weird that the leaves dropped with only the base being yellow. The roots were all segmented like that one too.... Hopefully my other plants are ok! 😫

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

+Anna Thornburn I'm sorry that you lost a Vanda. :/ What you describe sounds like it could have been Fusarium. Good luck with your other plants, if you haven't watered them together with the sick plant they're going to be okay. And if you have watered them together you can react quickly if something looks weird.

[@carolcheung8801]

Thank you for the reply ! I had put my Vanda in a basket and surround by some wood chips and then I place the basket in a clay pot to keep the moisture. I read from somewhere that help to promote roots growth but that's for an orchid has one or two roots already . Should I remove the wood chips and forget about the clay pot method , just to hang the vanda upside down and spray distilled water ? Looking forward to hear from you .

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Carol! Basket, wood chips and clay pot can help to create a nice microclimate. I don't now how much it helps, but it's certainly much better than a hot, dry place. Just be careful that the stem doesn't stay wet all the time. :)

[@indoororchidsandtropicals358]

Not all fungicides are highly toxic. Thiophanate methyl, for example, has some effect against fusarium and is probably less toxic than a lot of household cleaners. I grow in my bedroom and have a dog who sometimes would sneak a few licks out of my drain trays, so I never got highly toxic fungicides/pesticides. If it's too cold, I take the plants into my bathroom, spray them, leave, and turn on the exhaust fan until they dry. If you are using something very toxic, make up a very small batch and use a paintbrush to apply it to the leaves so you don't loose any down the drain, etc.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

I try to reduce the chemical load that I am exposed to as best as I can including toxic household cleaners. Vinegar does a great job in most occasions. It's difficult with the orchids, though. I still have some chemicals that I once bought and that I keep for "emergencies". Thiophanate methyl seems to be classified as "Likely to be Carcinogenic to Humans": npic.orst.edu/chemicals_evaluated.pdf

[@indoororchidsandtropicals358]

Well it's one of the less toxic fungicides that has some effect on fusarium. It's funny..I was just reading last night that it's probably not carcinogenic. Oh well, everything gives you cancer. Anyway, I'm very glad you keep some for emergencies. The only time I use them is for that and new plants that have issues. (I just got a bunch of heriloom cattleyas worth hundreds of dollars that I rescued- definitely sprayed them). I think it's safer for me to spray in my bathroom because it's always windy outside and the wind changes directions every two seconds. Anyway, there's a much more effective one for fusarium now called "switch" that is a combo of two chemicals, but it's 300$ so I haven't researched it much. Anyway, you can use lemon juice instead of vinegar for orchids. Milk also apparently can clean leaves but I've never tried it. Anyway, even if TM is carcinogenic, if you wear a mask, gives, etc, when mixing it, and only apply it to the plant and use proper safety precautions, you're fine, plus, I think the danger in many cases has to do with the frequency of exposure. If you smoke a cigarette once a year, it probably won't give you lung cancer. there are cases when only a fungicide will save the plants- ex: the collection that fusarium is destroying right now on KZbin. Nothing but agressive sanitation and using fungicide will save that collection. I cringed when she put a new plant in the place where one had previously died. That issue could have easily been prevented by not sharing water, (I asked her to remove that video years ago for this exact reason), isolating and spraying new plants before introducing them into the already stressed collection, and not potting everything into a new, untested media, constant switching of fertilizers, etc. What I mean by the untested media, is that she hand not grown a few plants in it for a year or so and got the culture for that media down before switching all of the plants to it. She made far more mistakes than just sharing water. As you know, fusarium mostly attacks weak plants so the move, the salt build up in the new medium (i.e. Lack of knowing how to grow in that medium), sharing water, etc. I also cringed when I saw that she'd potted everything into that medium in clay pots. Oh well, it's easier to see other peoples mistakes after you've made a lot of them yourself, but it's frustrating to see someone making so many mistakes, to kindly tell them what the issue is, offer to help, and to have them say 'I'm past making beginner mistakes' when, for example, fertilizer formulas are being switched every few weeks still. you seem to be a fast learner. Do you have any books on orchids?

[@indoororchidsandtropicals358]

Anyway, my point was that I'm glad you cut down on chemicals but still aren't too afraid of them to keep them for emergencies. I've got a friend who hasn't used a fungicide in 30 years because when you're that good of a grower and your environment is right, your plants don't get sick, but he still keeps it on hand for stuff like rescues, and I got an orchid hybrid registered in 1938 that won an AM at the first world orchid conference and it has never been cloned. My piece is a piece of the actual plant that was at the WOC. I got it for 12.50$ and I'm sending it to him for rescuing since it's so valuable and he's got 40 years experience, and I've only got 13, but he's also got the experience of having thousands of cattleyas and I'm not above asking for help :)

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

You're right, so many chemical compounds that surround us are carcinogenic, that's why I try my best to avoid the ones that I know of. I can well understand that you spray those special Cattleyas that you just received, though. For me there's a difference between such precious plants and mass produced plants from the grocery store. I wouldn't take any risks and introduce a sick plant from the grocery store into my collection. I wouldn't want to use toxic chemicals to try to save it either. It wouldn't be worth any risk for me. I hope that one day I can say that I haven't used any fungicides in 30 years like your friend. :) And I hope he can nurse your Cattleya hybrid from 1938 back to health! I try to only grow genera that like my environment, that's why I have predominantly Catts, Phals and Vandas. Every now and then I try out something new, but rather slowly. I think most people are aware of the risks that sharing water involves. But I guess it's so very convenient that they just take the risk. And so do I to a certain extent: There are a few plants that I water together as well. These are healthy plants that have been in my collection for a couple of years and that I observe closely. When I made this video about Fusarium in Vandas a few months ago I did a lot of research and I think there weren’t many if any detailed videos about Fusarium in orchids available. I was quite surprised when the Fusarium panic started to go around in the orchid community. :/ I think there are huge differences in the collections, growing spaces and growing habits on youtube. The more new plants are intoduced into ones collection in a short time the more difficult it becomes to keep everything healthy. If you try out numerous new genera that require different care&environments that might cause problems as well. Also, some people are quite relaxed despite having mealybugs, scales or spidermites here and there which I couldn't. Others are eager to try out many new media and growing methods which I don't do either, because I'm such a creature of habit and don't want to change a running system. I think Danny is chronicling her growing habits in detail and tells about her successes as much as her mistakes. With daily videos she enables us to observe very closely what she does which I really appreciate. I wouldn't have put all orchids in clay medium either, but I think she has thought everything through beforehand. One of my Brassocattleyas has been in seramis for more than two years and it receives the same care as the others, it's very unspectacular. Thanks, yes, I try to be a fast learner. :D I don't have any orchid books, though. Sometimes I'm lucky and find an article in an online orchid journal or some scientific articles on a topic that I am interested in.

[@danielaidvorean5010]

so ... I cut everything that was sick, but I ran out of roots at my Vanda. The question is: how do I take care of her, keep her in the air, how do I wet her? Thanks for the wonderful clarifications.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Daniela, it depends. I just hung it up in the air and within a couple of months the Vanda grew new roots again. But you could also hang it upside down which might promote faster root growth. I've also seen people wrapping some sphagnum around the base and keep it in a more humid environment, but I've never tried it myself longterm. You can wet the plant, but make sure it dries within a couple of hours so that you don't promote further rot. There's a chance it doesen't survive due to drought, further rot, mold, all these nasty things, because it's so weakened. But I'll keep my fingers crossed it will survive.

[@sinine1100]

On one hand, it's good to know what I most likely have, on the other, oh no... I really do love those plants, especially my sunset orange Vanda... :-(

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

I'm sorry to hear that, Sinine. :( I'll keep my fingers crossed that your sunset orange Vanda will make it.

[@danieljheelan5256]

Hi, I have the same issue and lost almost all of my vandas. I cut the stem and separated them and also removed the kekis but impossible to save both parts. Lost more than 12 vandas this winter and I am left with 5 kekis but I am not too confident. I am very sad as I lost 7 Vanda mother plants due to rotten stem which I kept for almost 5 years. Is there any treatment ? You are in Germany and you have also 4 seasons as in France where I live and all you orchids are looking great. I also saw your green house and I wanted to come and visit it. Will it be possible to come and visit your orchids and discuss with you. Thanks for your reply. Daniel

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Daniel, thank you for commenting and sorry for replying so late. It seems I haven't answered your comment and I am frustrated with youtube's notifications. I hope you found a solution for your Vandas and I'm sorry to hear you lost some. Unfortunately I don't have any knowledge beyond what I shared in the video. And I wish I had a greenhouse, but the greenhouse clips were filmed in Schwerter Orchideenzucht. Happy growing and have a very nice weekend! :)

[@bognarerika4159]

what can I do with the orchid of the vanda because her roots are completely dry?

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

+Bognar Erika Try to find the cause. If they're brittle and dead they could be old, have died of drought or an infection.

[@UnZapacit]

Hello, i have 5 vanda and 2 of them start to have yelow leaves ;( with brown on it, and i notice the leaves where had before a branch, how i can fix them ?

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

I've put all I know into this video ... and will keep my fingers crossed you'll be able to save your Vandas.

[@danielaidvorean5010]

I did all you sei. IT's work. 😉 Ty

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Aaw, thanks for letting me know! :) Happy growing!

[@MiracleOrchids1]

wait.... so those purple circles on the rhyzome is for sure sign of fuzarium?? I did see something like that when I repotted one of the onc types I've got ... but I didn't pay attention, nor I remember which one it was 😨

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

I'm sorry that I reply so late. Yes, I fear so. :/

[@MiracleOrchids1]

+Bumblebee no problem. Well now I know...I did the video, i read the articles. But a big big thank u for your video. I wouldnt found out about fusarium whithout it ☺

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you, Ana Maria. :) I'm glad my video was good for something.

[@yellowishgreendragon.-.]

My vanda just dropped all its leaves. Except for one. I don't think I can save it.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Oh no, what a pity. :(

[@sergeiivanov5739]

Vandas are definitely one of the hardest homeplant owing to the requirements to grow it.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

They do fairly well on my windowsill, while some Phals are struggling. Happy growing! :)

[@sergeiivanov5739]

@@bumblebeesorchids3408 Does wrapping moss around the bare stem of a Vanda make her grow new roots?

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

@@sergeiivanov5739 I haven't tried it myself (at least not longterm), but it might help sometimes.

[@sergeiivanov5739]

@@bumblebeesorchids3408 My Vandas got freezing when I soaked them in the water whose temperature was somewhat cold: On touch the water, one could feel semi cold water for one's hands, but not warm and not like in outside. So, in the result of the phenomenon, my orchids dropped leaves (sometimes normal). The method (wrapping moss around the stem) should work when the plant is hanging (because no rot is guaranteed at least). When it comes to growing Vandas potted, there arises problems about rot, overewatering and so forth. In my case, no problems are presented, because I prefer watering in the early morning and evening, not over water.

[@sergeiivanov5739]

@@bumblebeesorchids3408 I have no experience with Vandas, but they tell me that hanging method is easier, but tougher for the reason that one must water (by means of spraying water, for example) every day several times. Not to let them dry out so quickly I use moss (not sphagnum apparently, because it is alive, from rocks in the forest) but in such a way that air circulation be presented and no conditions for rotting processes to occur be established. Following hanging methods, l see no results immediately. For example, my Phal was like dead hanging on the tree indoors, but after two or more months, I have noted a new leaf, telling me that the orchid has awaken and adopted to the environment. No humidity is bad (in nature, it would be presented, plus temperature differences), hence I water them often and use moss. To stimulate roots, I use honey water - yes disadvantage of honey is sometimes advantage in case no rot conditions are established. Time will tell

[@kellyshanelojero7289]

Wow! Very informative! Btw, Your Vandas have many roots. What's your secret?

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Kelly, thank you very much! No secrets involved. :D I try to share everything I do here: kzbin.info/aero/PLL3HGZzNUvCGaHon7D3RHHoXei2i6Wz03 Happy growing!

[@eljardindesofi6288]

Que super hermosas me encantan

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you! :)

[@selfaware4075]

Hello , please if I send you a picture can you tell me if my vanda has infeccion 😥please thank...

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hello Alex, you can send me a link to a picture and I can give you my opinion on it, if you like!

[@vbardy7242]

Hiya! Thank you for this video. What is the best way to water rootless Vanda? Would you dip the stem into water?

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

It's difficult and I don't know how much we can actually do. Raising the humidity level would prevent too much dehydration , but it's important to provide air movement at the same time. I don't know if dipping the stem into water would help, but if you mean placing it in a vase like a flower - no, I don't think that would work long term.

[@norahkira5157]

Hi , I have cut my Vanda due to some fungal infection..no blooms since I purchased it..the rootless part has grown new leaves and bottom part with roots is growing a new shoot.. I'm looking forward to seeing roots growing from the rootless part.. Thanks BB for your educational videos.. All the way from PNG..

[@willemh3319]

what is your opinion on physan 20?

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

I have no opinion on it since I have never used it.

[@philipgastrochilus7507]

Irgendwie kam mir das GWH bekannt vor und nach dem ich die Schildchen gesehen habe war es klar wo du warst.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Check out my Schwerter Orchideenzucht playlist for more. :) Happy growing!

[@iamatraveller7704]

my vanda got infected with fusarium and if I cut the stem the plant will be rootless..what should I do?should I cut the stem with those two roots?then how should I take care of a rootless Vanda?please please guide..I am so worried.. :(

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Sorry for the late reply, Sayannita. That's a difficult decision. If the stem is infected, I would cut. But if there are only a few leaves/the crown left chances are the Vanda dies anyway. I only managed to nurse one rootless Vanda back to health (you see it at 9:11 to 10:11). It's tough, but sometimes possible. MissOrchidGirl has just made two very informative videos on orchids with very few roots: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4Oqh3iNpJugrNk

[@veenadwivedi4928]

Hi Bbee ...my vanda suffering from fuserium.at stem and at edge of leAves connect to stem and hardly 4 to 5 leaves are left can u suggested what can be done in this case ..really need help to save my vanda

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi veena, I'm sorry to hear your Vanda is suffering so badly. You could cut your Vanda, but it's very difficult to nurse a cutting with only 4-5 leaves back to health. :/

[@rongruber5855]

Brevity is very important on things like this

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

I agree.

[@ArtCellar]

Excellent! I have the same problem, how you water the plant with no roots only through the leaves?

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

+Art Cellar Thank you! :) Yes, I think I sprayed the leaves every once in a while, but I don't know how effective that was. The plant did recover without much assistance, but it took a few months and the leaves became a bit papery with time. Not as bad one would think, though. I hung it up beside the window so that the sun wouldn't contribute to drying it out further. At some point new roots appeared and I watered them on a daily basis. All the best for yours, I'll keep my fingers crossed!

[@ArtCellar]

Ι thank you. I put her in a small vase with little water on the bottom of the vase without the stem touching the water just for humidity at a bright spot of the house. I will spay the leaves and keep fingers crossed. I will let you now the results.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

That sounds like a very good setup if there is also a little bit of air movement to prevent rot. It would be really nice if you would let me know if something (hopefully very positive) happens. :)

[@ArtCellar]

Definitely. facebook.com/anastassia.tsagari and this is my face book acount.

[@SuzieQ1007]

I am trying Tea Tree oil on my orchid trying to save the vanda.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

That's interesting, keep me updated, please!

[@dalvarodrigues7900]

Oi como gostaria de saber o inglês para poder entender tudo que você está falando Eu amo Vanda tenho duas nunca deram flores e não sei como hidratar as raízes Mesmo sem entender deu para aprender alguma coisa obrigada 👍👏👏👏🤗😍

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Google translate helped me understand most of what you said. Mil agradecimentos, Dalva! :)

[@dalvarodrigues7900]

@@bumblebeesorchids3408 😍😍😍

[@dianasorchids]

I agree with you if you see plants in the store like that leave them and find a Manager to get it off the selling table. I have seen crops decimated by this disease and workers sickened and hospitalized so yes I am the one that would throw an infected plant out and burn it in the appropriate incendiary.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi diana, thank you for stopping by and for commenting. Sickened and hospitalized agricultural workers? Wow, I didn't know that could happen. :/

[@dianasorchids]

usa.gov look for agriculture you will see the documents there are many on fusarium wilt, blight on crops and workers and not just in this country alone. Pandemic scares people and that is why they spend millions to protect the food chain.😄

[@wetry5877]

Thank you girl.. I love it when you said "fungicide is dangerous for environment and for bees!!" You're my kindred spirit... so I just knew that the vanda can survive without roots.. a year ago I was afraid to cut mine cuz.. I thought if I left the roots behind.. and cut the top bald without roots.. it would die.. and know she's gone.. and a new plant just purchased.. I will do your trick anytime I see the signs... :)

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you! :) I'll keep my fingers crossed that your new Vanda will thrive and not need any treatment whatsoever. Happy growing!

[@xristinasourli4180]

hello Bumblebee!i just saw your video and i would like to ask you some questions!first of all i have a vanda which i bought 8months ago!when i bought it it had many leaf drop and the roots wasnt so good!i cleared it very well and sprayed it with with hydrogen peroxide! the leaves stopped falling and new one appeared !but i have no new root tips and i dont now what to do!should i cut all the steam like you did?to promote root growth?do you want me to send you a picture to tell me your opinion?

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Xristina, in case you have sent the pictures, I haven't received them yet. But I still wanted to answer you already. When did the leaves stop falling? If they stopped falling about 8 months ago after a short period of leaf drop, maybe the plant is able to somehow keep it at bay at the moment. I always went with cutting the stem. I wouldn't feel save leaving infected tissue in the plant, because I doubt the infection would stop on its own. Also, I'm not a fan of fungicide. If there are just a few leaves left it will be pretty difficult nurse it back to health. But if you have a lot of leaves and a huge portion of the stem left, chances are that it recovers. Unfortunately we cannot see the inside of the stem, so it's always hard so say if or how much juice flow there is between roots and leaves. It's always a difficult situation. :/

[@xristinasourli4180]

hello again!!i wil post you right now the pictures!after i purchased it i cut some of the leaves and it stoped leaf drop immediately!but today is in this condition you will see and it doesnt promote any root yet!even though i think i see some nods appearing but i am not very sure

[@xristinasourli4180]

i.imgsafe.org/a7dce90580.jpg i.imgsafe.org/a7dc7eb48c.jpg i.imgsafe.org/a7dd506786.jpg i.imgsafe.org/a7ddbe5bf2.jpg

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Xristina, thanks for the pictures. I don't think it's a lost case. The small black spots might be Phyllosticta, but this disease usually doesn't kill a plant, it just doesn't look very nice. I think the plant might be able to grow roots from the old ones as well as from the stem. Could you do anything to optimise your care? I think if you provide the best possible conditions, it could actually recover. If you want to get rid of the bare stem, because it doesn't look so nice, you could cut it. But you cannot be sure if it will grow new roots or not. It's quite a risk.

[@xristinasourli4180]

it has a lot of light but not direct sun!i try to water every day or twice a day!i fertilize every week!what else can i do??i think i see some root growth starting but i am not sure!I will waittill some roots appear and then probably i will cut the steam!should i cut that leaves? i.imgsafe.org/bcbe959ec5.jpg i.imgsafe.org/bcbed8f880.jpg i.imgsafe.org/bcbf100041.jpg

[@christrinder1255]

Hi this is very scary. A week ago I bought a vanda from a U.K. seller, I live in the U.K., and it was very healthy on arrival and was fine until today. Within the space of above 5 hours a leaf turned yellow and the three leaves above on the same side have started to wilt and look unhealthy. I initially thought it was a watering problem but now I'm not so sure and have isolated it to another room from my other orchids.I am sorry to trouble you but please reply I'm a very enthusiastic but worried not too experienced orchid grower and would appreciate your advice as to whether the speed and one sidedness of this leaf problem in your experience indicates the likelihood of Fusarium. Thank you

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Chris, sorry for the delay in replying. That doesn't sound like a watering problem for sure and yes, I think if the symptoms look similar to the ones in the video it could very well be Fusarium. Speed and one sidedness are not unusual, I would say. In case it's something else (i.e. some other fungus) the treatment options remain quite similar, it would just become even more difficult to find the right fungicide. If I were you I would ask for a replacement orchid and hope that the seller knows the problem and is acommodating. Apart from that I hope your other orchids are enjoying the summer time. Happy growing! :)

[@reach-outwithlakshmi7193]

My one Vanda died bcz of this 😢😩

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

:( So sorry!

[@carolcheung8801]

I have the exact problem as you had shown in this video. I have cut it all the way down to no root. My question is how do I water it ? There's no root ....what should I do to help the root grow and how often should I water it ? You suggestion would be very helpful. Thank you

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Carol, I'm sorry to hear that. It's going to be a long way, but it can work if you have managed to get rid of the infected parts. Here's what I did: I sprayed the underside of the leaves with distilled water every day in the beginning. As time went by I let things slide and sprayed less frequently. But Vandas can be extremely resilient. The leaves became dehydrated, folded themselves together, became a bit leathery, but at some point new roots emerged. First, I watered with distilled water only, because I didn't want to risk any root burn. You can hang the Vanda upside down. That way, water cannot be trapped in the leaf axils and I think I have read somwhere that it encourages new root growth - but no guarantee. I hope that helps. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[@breannamarr6648]

mountain man

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

What does that mean?

[@jps2720]

please speak up, you are whispering.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thanks for letting me know. I speak louder in more recent videos.

[@nanetteorchid6680]

@@bumblebeesorchids3408 I like your whispering voice!

[@usaklein]

Thank you so much. Very good information.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Usa, thanks, I'm glad you liked it. :)