Suggestions on saving this rootless Vanda tip cutting
I bought four BS Vandas (Rhyncostylis/hybrids) from Krull Smith May 2021 (one in bud). I transitioned them from bare root to lava rock in terracotta pot. They were left outdoors with partial sun exposure and of course rains. A couple of months later. while one of them (Perreiraara Rapeepath) was in spike, it suddenly developed what I determined to a bacterial rot (wet translucent spots on leaves followed by yellowing and browning, healthy fat green roots turning brown/black from inside. Within days the Vanda died despite all efforts to save it by cutting off infected parts, liquid copper fungicide treatment (supposed to work on bacteria as well). The infection got to the lower stem and then the crown even though I thought I had cut off the infected stem, leaves and roots. See the sad story here Sudden fungal/bacterial attack on my Vanda in spike - Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web !
Now I have serious issues with another one of the lot (Rhynco. Coelestis pink). I had gone away for a month and left it in a SE window in Oct 2021. I had put the pot in another pot with a bit of water at the bottom of the outer pot but not touching the inner terracotta pot that the Vanda was housed in. Anyhow, it appeared fine when I got back but a few of the very healthy fat newer roots had turned brown and then a couple of leaves at the bottom turned yellow in the next few weeks. When I examined it closely and cut off the brown roots and yellow leaves, I suspected that the stem may also be infected. Eventually, I cut the stem at the base and found it to be rotten. I cut off the infected stem and cut some more of the stem upwards (total 1-2" length) leaving only a soft green stem tip part (1-2" length) with a few leaves.
The remaining bottom somewhat less infected stem with the roots had a Kieke and I hoped it would live but it withered away soon. So, now I have the stem tip-I treated the cut wound with cinnamon and left it to dry. I have been letting it sit among the foliage of some of my jasmines for now, mostly out of sun. The question is what I should do to help it develop new roots without risking the return of the fungal/bacterial infection that caused the current state of affairs. One would normally provide some moisture via potting media (bark or such) for the stem to root and possibly an enclosure to prevent the leaves from drying such as a plastic bag. However, given the infection history I am not sure those steps wouldn't just kill the poor thing.
In fact, I am now convinced that my remaining two healthy vandas from Krull also possibly infected ticking time bombs. They both have lost some bottom leaves at the base at different points in time and aren't growing much at all for a while now. I am convinced that the infection was inherent in these vandas. I have a couple of Vanda seedlings fro a different source that are perfectly healthy under similar conditions.
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jane__ny
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
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getgoing100_7b_njOriginal Author