Question
QUESTION: Hi Wayne,
I have Vanda which was doing well, but it has not lost all its leaves; the leaves turned yellow, mustard and then simply fell off.

I have treated this plant with fungicide so I don't think that's the issue here. I have moved my plants into my garage for the winter as you may recall; I will be moving them out to my pool area next week given that the weather in Orlando has gotten nicer (low off 55+ degrees at night).

I've been watering my plants once per week, as always, and feeding them 20-20-20.

I took some pictures so you could see what I am talking about,

http://www.caripito.com/images/orchids/IMG_1190.JPG
http://www.caripito.com/images/orchids/IMG_1191.JPG
http://www.caripito.com/images/orchids/IMG_1192.JPG
http://www.caripito.com/images/orchids/IMG_1193.JPG
http://www.caripito.com/images/orchids/IMG_1194.JPG

I also have some phals which are doing well, a couple have been growing spikes; I am feeding bloom booster to the ones that have not so hopefully they start showing some spikes soon.

I took a picture of a phal that's grown 2 spikes, my question is whether I can move it inside the house OR rather when would be the best time to do so; I typically show them off in my living room, they light up the place ;-). You can take a look at it at,

http://www.caripito.com/images/orchids/IMG_1195.JPG

Thanks as always,
Angelo

ANSWER: Hello again Angelo-- good to hear from you.  If the "vanda" had fairly thin leaves, you don't have a vanda but a deciduous dendrobium.  This means it is normal, as with other deciduous plants, to go into a resting phase and naturally loses its leaves.  The cane looks more like a dendrobium than a vanda.

I also like to bring plants into our living room when they come into bloom.  They look great in the window-- especially with snow on the ground on the other side of the window.  I recommend that you actually let the buds open before moving the plant.  In fact, in general, do not move plants coming into flower until the buds have opened.  The flower spikes are phototropic and will twist and bend to conform to the light direction.  Thanks for the pictures.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Wayne, I assume I'll just have to wait for the Dendrobium to develop some leaves. The roots don't look green to me so I was concerned that I may be losing it.

I don't know why, but I keep calling it a vanda when it is a dendrobium; I'll have to write it on the pot so I can remember. ;-)

Thanks as always,
Angelo

Answer
Angelo, just a reminder to go easy on the watering until new growth appears at the base of the old cane.  The plant is at a very vulnerable stage in its development and extremely susptible to rot if overwatered at this stage. Cut the watering back to once every other week until you see new growth. It is unlikely that new leaves will develop on the old cane.  However, depending upon the particular hybrid you have, the cane could reflower without leaves.