Phal flowers not opening!?

[Hollie]

Hi, i have finally got my first orchid to flower again,it has loads of buds and flowers, but the 7 or 8 buds that opened have not opened fully they are only about half way open and have been like this for nearly 4 weeks. Are they often this slow to open or is something wrong???

Thanks!

P.s i will try to get a photo online.

[-k-]

How's the health of the rest of the plant? The blooms should have opened by now, what are your growing conditions like?

[kmarch]

What kind of orchid is it? Different orchids have different rates at which the spikes grow and the buds open.

[-k-]

Originally Posted by kmarch

What kind of orchid is it? Different orchids have different rates at which the spikes grow and the buds open.

it's a phal

[flutepic15]

I hate to worry you, but I had this happen to a NOID phal I got from Lowe's. By the time I caught on that there was something wrong, all but one root was totally rotted off. The last root soon followed, despite an improvmeent in culture. I lost that little plant. Lesson learned. Have you checked the root condition recently?

[Phalcycle]

Well, first I would like to ask how high or low your himidity is. Humidity plays a key factor for phals that flower. They typically perfer to be in the 50-70% humidity. They need this too bloom, if it is too dry, the buds will either not bloom, or dry and shrivel up then fall off.

Also, light is another factor. phals need some light to grow and flower. Don't leave your phal where it isn't getting anylight. The change in enviroments can often stall blooms, because the plant is readjusting itself.

Did you move your plant around?

[mehitabel]

I agree with flutepic-- a few times I've seen this, the plant was not getting enough water for the flowers or the roots were damaged so it wasn't getting enough water for the flowers.

[Tarad]

I cant see the pic very well, but when a phal is stressed you will get deformed blooms or blooms that will not open up all the way.

[Phalcycle]

Originally Posted by Tarad

I cant see the pic very well, but when a phal is stressed you will get deformed blooms or blooms that will not open up all the way.

There's a picture?? Where

[Brooke]

Is the bloom peloric?

Brooke

[Phalcycle]

Originally Posted by Brooke

Is the bloom peloric?

Brooke

good point Brooke, so pelorics don't open fully.

[Hollie]

Hi, thanks for all your replies! I had a look at the roots, they look quite green and healthy if a bit tightly packed ?maybe it'l need repotting soon.

Its in a window which gets good light in the afternoons, I water it once a week and last gave it a feed about 6wks ago.

I bought it from ikea - I know probably not the best supplier! it was an impulse buy. The name on the pot is Phal Hybride.

[digitalgate]

Originally Posted by Hollie

Hi, thanks for all your replies! I had a look at the roots, they look quite green and healthy if a bit tightly packed ?maybe it'l need repotting soon.

I bought it from ikea - I know probably not the best supplier! it was an impulse buy. The name on the pot is Phal Hybride.

Don't be a hurry to water the repot the plant. They might not need repotting that fast. Then again, summer is coming Phal is a warm growing plant, it will help them to have strong roots when winter arrive.

[Hollie]

Hi, good news! One of the flowers opened properly today - hooray! I gave it another feed and more light. I hope the rest will now start to open as well. Thank you!!!

[flutepic15]

Originally Posted by Hollie

Hi, thanks for all your replies! I had a look at the roots, they look quite green and healthy if a bit tightly packed ?maybe it'l need repotting soon.

Its in a window which gets good light in the afternoons, I water it once a week and last gave it a feed about 6wks ago.

I bought it from ikea - I know probably not the best supplier! it was an impulse buy. The name on the pot is Phal Hybride.

Hollie,

No need to knock IKEA for orchids! Two of my favorite phals are IKEA orchids. One has been in bloom since November 2009. I just noticed today that one of the blooms is starting to fade. Not bad! My most favorite phal (hubby gave it to me) came from Genuardi's supermarket. It was been constantly in bloom since August 09. It's shooting roots, leaves and subspikes everywhere right now. They're all NOIDs, but so what? They're just as pretty as if I had an ID tag! Never underestimate the power of a great deal on a great orchid!

[Hollie]

I must say for £5.99 from ikea it is now looking amazing nearly all the blooms are out now, i'm very pleased with it.

[orchid_girl]

It sounds as if it was just a slow opener But as others have said don't knock Ikea I have gotten phals from some really odd places so believe me it doesn't matter where they actually come from. Just give them good care and you will be rewarded

[Tarad]

Ok another place that I cant get too easily that carries orchids lol. Ikea and Trader JO is 2 hours away from me. Sigh...

[patdarling]

I also have an orchid from Ikea and I am of the opinion that it is a lovely plant. They are not too expensive and just look nice. I also though about sending flowers to a friend of mine and why not choosing an orchid. This is such a wonderful plant.
By the way I also had a phal which was not opening. I thought they will never open but then suddenly all opened and the phal is beautiful now. So do not worry if they do not open quickly.