Expert: Wayne King - 6/5/2009

Question
Dear Sir, I have a big orchid plant the one with no soil just root, large root system hanging in the air (I do not know the name of the orchid, sorry)  I mist the roots everyday.  The plant has turned blackish then yellow & one leaf after the other has dropped off.  The root system looks healthy so how do I nurse the plant back to health?
Please help!!

Answer
Yasmin,  it is likely that your plant is in the vandaceous alliance such as a Vanda. These plants like a lot of humidity and filtered sunlight. Most like it warm (ie 70 - 85 degress).  It is not unusual for these plants to lose some leaves, particularly from the bottom up.  I don't know how long you have been growing this plant but I move mine outside about this time of the year and spray them daily on sunny days to maintain the humidity. If, and when, you see new root tip growth (ie green tips) that is a sign that the plant is coming out of dormancy. It is difficult to keep these plant is a northern temperate climate but if you can provide the needed humidity and warmth, it should do OK.  Hard part is getting it through the winter months when the humidity and temperatures are not favoraable for growth and the plant becomes dormant.  When the plant rsumes growth you should new leaves that replace those that have been lost.  If you like you can send me a follow-up picture and maybe I can spot something that I need to add to this response.