ceciliaL

[ceciliaL]

Hi I have a problem hope someone can help. I have several Phalaenopsis that have started to drop their buds. They appear to be drying up. I have a misting system that is misting every day. The orchids plants appear to be doing great. Is it possible that it could be the heat that we are using? I have a outside wood burner with a duct going into the greenhouse there doesn't
seem to be any smoke going to the greenhouse just heat. We also have a propane heater as a back up. This will come on if the temp drops below 59 degrees. The propane heater is a ventless heater and we have not been able to detect any odor from this heater. How can I tell what is causing this problem? HELP PLEASE!!


cecilia

[arleneg]

I have no experience with greenhouse and such, but just wanted to suggest that you put a corresponding title (e.g. Phal. drying/dying in greenhouse) to your message. This way, it will get that someone who can answer your question to read your message.

[jerrymeola]

It is hard to make generalizations on the results of a few plants.

Drying can cause buds to drop as well as too much moisture. Air circulation is always a factor.

All the factors you mentioned can have a factor in the result and just having orchids will cause some to drop buds. Exhaust flumes can effect the plants even when you do not smell the exhaust.

Their are a number of insects that can suck on buds causing them to drop.

any temperature change can cause it.

It comes down to how many plants are losing buds out of the total amount you have. At the end of the summer most of my orchids had a short life on their flowers and many buds did not develop. This happened more in the sheltered areas where I tried to protect buds on plants for sale while the one left out in the open air did better. It was very hot with big temperature swings.

If it is a couple of plant in a large group, then it is just normal. I find about ten percent losses are common.

[ceciliaL]

thanks for you help. We have pretty much decided that the problem has to be the propane heater that we are using. We are going to try to swich to a vented propane heater. Moisture or insects are not a problem. This problem is with the buds are on all the orchids lady slipper, Phal, oncidium, catelaya.
hope this will work.

Thanks again.

ceciliaL

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

You might use electric heat temporarily.

[ceciliaL]

What is the most cost efficient heater that is good for growing orchids?
The greenhouse is 16ft. by 8 1/2ft by 12 ft high attached.
I don't think that I can heat only with electric because of the cost.
thanks,

CeciliaL