Hello group, I am new to growing orchids and am pleased to have found
somewhere to discuss them. I bought a Phalaenopsis from a garden centre
a year ago. At the time it had approx fifteen lovely white flowers on
it. When they died I cut between the last node and first flower scar.
Since then the Phalaenopsis has produced several new leaves and two new
branches. It has produced approximatly four buds at different times
which have all turned brown and dropped without flowering. There are
now two new buds which are a lighter olive green colour. I am afraid
that these will do the same. Presently I water it approximatly every
ten days in the bathroom and keep a bottle which slowly releases
diluted orchid fertiliser in the pot. The phal lives in our living room
which faces south west. I have put it on a tray of pebbles which I try
to keep moist and mist the leaves occasionaly. It sits on top of the
tv.

I would really appreciate any advice.

Cat.

Cat,

Do you have a bowl of fruit in the living room by any chance? Ripening fruit
is one of the causes of bud blast -- the ripening fruit releases ethylene
gas which "ripens" flower buds in such a way that they wither and fall off.
I read somewhere that one should keep budding orchids at least 10 feet from
ripening fruit.

The only other thing that I can think off at this time: bud blast is often
caused by sudden changes in the environment. Do you have any ideas what
might cause this orchid's environment to be unstable? For example, is there
an air-conditioning vent nearby that comes on and leads to unusual
temperature fluctuations. I was thinking whether the TV might be the
culprit -- doesn't it heat up the environment around it quite a bit when
it's on? However, I don't know enough about that.

One time I had a Phal bud blasting, and then I found a mealy bug on it. So a
pest infestation could also cause bud blast, but since this blasting
happened a while ago, and the plant is otherwise healthy, I think pests are
unlikely in your case. Still it is always better to check the undersides of
all leaves on a regular basis for pests just in case.

This is a tough question to answer since there are so many different factors
that can cause bud blast. The most common one that I have encountered has
been during complete changes in environment, for example orchids bought at a
show are likely to loose buds when bought there and brought home. But
obviously that is not the case with your Phal since you've had it for a
year. Anyone else have other thoughts?

Best,
Joanna

"Cat" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hello group, I am new to growing orchids and am pleased to have found
somewhere to discuss them. I bought a Phalaenopsis from a garden centre
a year ago. At the time it had approx fifteen lovely white flowers on
it. When they died I cut between the last node and first flower scar.
Since then the Phalaenopsis has produced several new leaves and two new
branches. It has produced approximatly four buds at different times
which have all turned brown and dropped without flowering. There are
now two new buds which are a lighter olive green colour. I am afraid
that these will do the same. Presently I water it approximatly every
ten days in the bathroom and keep a bottle which slowly releases
diluted orchid fertiliser in the pot. The phal lives in our living room
which faces south west. I have put it on a tray of pebbles which I try
to keep moist and mist the leaves occasionaly. It sits on top of the
tv.

I would really appreciate any advice.

Cat.

Hi, Cat,

Welcome to rgo. If I read your post correctly, this plant has been blooming
for a while now. Though it sounds healthy enough, Phals (and most other
orchids, for that matter) need to rest a bit after flowering, which takes a
great deal of energy.

After my Phals bloom, it's always a temptation to squeeze some more flowers
out of them by trimming the spike rather than cutting it back completely. It
is a temptation that I learned to resist a long time ago. As you are seeing,
forced blooms are usually sparser than the original spike, and the flowers
are usually smaller as well.

If nothing else has changed, and if there are no pests or disease present,
it's just possible that the plant is pouting a la "I'm tired!"

HTH

Diana

On Sat, 20 Aug 2005 14:18:46 -0400, "Diana Kulaga"
wrote:

Hi, Cat,

Welcome to rgo. If I read your post correctly,

If nothing else has changed, and if there are no pests or disease present,
it's just possible that the plant is pouting a la "I'm tired!"

HTH

Diana


Welcome - It sounds like your plant is generally healthy,
growing new leaves and looking vigorous. I am going to agree
with both pieces of advise. But I have to take a bet on the bud
drop tying into the humidity raise and fall from heat under the
pebble tray and then cool dry air in the evening. But I would
suggest removing the spike. There is a chance then that you will
get a vigorous plant pushing two new spikes or an especially
spectacular one rather than 2-4 buds at a time.

You do know that the plant will appreciate (demand) at least a 10
degree day to night temperature shift in the fall in order to
initiate the new spike. It can take months to go from small green
bump to a full flowered inflorescence.

Good growing.
SuE
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