Loosing buds on little Phalaenopsis

[Sharyn]

All my phals. are blooming and new buds opening each day. They're all doing great except this little one. Each time it forms a new bud, turns yellow & drops off. We've had brutal weather lately and I have moved this little guy around a bit, but I found Jerry was right about the temperatures, the phals. seem much sturdier than I thought, and obviously the rest of them are doing fine. Daytime temp's at 69-70, night about 65. Humidity 40-50%. I can't figure out why I'm losing each new bud.

To put in size perspective: Leaves are 5-6 inches, spikes are about 5" and it's in a 4" azelia pot, medium bark. Hope you can help.

[mayres]

My guess is that genetics has a lot to do with it. I've noticed as well that within the same genera you can have nearly all doing well and then one or two that are for some reason not so well. Different parents from a different part of the world? New to your collection and still not adapted to your growing environment? Still recovering from abuse PRIOR to your acquisition? What kind of phal is it? Pretty short spikes to be blasting buds already - is it a species plant? I think those can definately be more temperamental than the hybrids. mike

[Sharyn]

Mike: It's Phal violacae x ambionensis called Princess Kaiulani. I've only had it about 6-7 weeks and it was in perfect condition when received. I'm not familiar with the growing pattern of this one. It seems totally different than my other phals. and much more delicate. And yes it certainly could be from some abuse that I'm providing.

[mayres]

Yes, I thought it looked more species related. I only have one species phal so far and it is just a baby, so I'll see what kind of issues I have compared to my other hybrid phals as it gets older. My guess is that amoung other things it is going to want MORE humidity? Warm and humid with some air movement - does that fit into what you are giving yours?

[Sharyn]

Have a ceiling fan going. I think I'll try to provide more humidity. If all else fails, I'll move it to the same room location with the other phals. Thanks for checking this out. Here's the link for specifics on this orchid. I presume it's ok to include the link in my post. I ordered from this company through the site's sponsored links. Still a newbie, I probably didn't realize that I was ordering anything other than a normal everyday type phal.

http://www.orchidco.com/ProductInfo....roductid=P9847

[Maddy]

It's been so cold and dry here that even with my humidity trays, I've got buds blasting left and right. I have plastic bags tied over my spikes trying to save some buds. It's working on one phal, but I don't think the one that put out the pretty spike for me is going to open a flower.

[jerrymeola]

Sharyn

I think that since you just got it, it did not like the move. Lots of buds do not develop this time of year when moved. It could also have been stressed before you got it.

It should do much better for you next season.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I suspect this is a very warm grower. Maybe when it adapts to your home, it can do with your temps, but if there is anyway to give it a warmer spot, you might try it.

[jaxz]

I agree with Cynthia - both the parent plants are from tropical regions - very hot (temp: 22 - 30degC; apologies, I don't think in fahrenheit) and humid (75 - 85%RH). As it is a primary hybrid, it is probably not hardened to colder temps, thus you're getting those bud blast.

Do move it to the warmest spot you have in your place - this is most important. Then you can deal with the humidity: forget about the ceiling fan - too much air movement means lower humidity. As long as it is not in a place with stagnant air, then it should be ok. You may consider placing it on a humidity tray (you may DIY one for yourself).

I believe primary hybrid phals of tropical parents do not behave like those hybrids that have been crossed many times... your plant is proably more sensitive to the microclimate you provide for it and will require some time to harden and acclimatise.

Cheers, jaxz

[fyd96]

so I can assume that buds turning yellow and dropping are normal? I now have two that are yellow

[mayres]

Only "normal" in the sense that it happens to everyone - this is certainly not what nature intended. The plant(s) gets placed in conditions that are less than ideal and this is the reaction you get - it's the plants way of saying it doesn't like either what someone DID or is DOING to it.

[Sharyn]

Originally Posted by fyd96

so I can assume that buds turning yellow and dropping are normal? I now have two that are yellow

Like Mike said, it's not normal if your plants are in ideal conditions. I've never had this happen with my other phals. I see you're also from my area and probably struggling like I am with dry heat and low humidity. I've moved this orchid to a warmer room as the forum members advised. I placed it inside one of those seed starter things with the dome and a tray of pebbles underneath. Maybe this will keep it a bit warmer & humid. Good luck with yours.

[Willc73]

Many things will cause this. 5-6 weeks is still new. Underwatering does this a lot. So does using cold water to water. Cooler than normal conditions, hotter than normal conditioins. Direct sunlight, sometimes it just doesn't like you. Humidity is not your friend with blooms. Personally I keep my gh at 50-60% humidity. The higher you raise it, the shorter your blooms will last.

[fyd96]

would moving It way from the window a bit help? sharyn Is correct. Iam In chicago and It Is very cold here. I think the humidity Is fine. I'm thinking that the window It's by might be a bit to cold?

[Willc73]

That is very likely. Get a small digital thermometer and keep track of lows and highs.
You are moving to Alaska? Where abouts? I go there once a year fishing. It's a great place up there. I am fond of SouthEast Alaska.

[fyd96]

thank you. I'v moved my Phala to another room where I think will be warmer. no the move Is to Arkansas. right now It feels like Alaska, but I know your state Is beautiful.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Hey everyone, including Jaxz and Willc, let's update our public profile to include our location. From the high percentage who have the info there, most of you know how important it is.

My house is also very dry and suffer bud blast. I've been trying to mist the buds every morning with either rain or r/o water to see if that might improve the situation. I never thought of putting a plastic bag over the buds.

Maddy, how does this work? Do you put something in the bag for humidity?

[fyd96]

help! I moved my Phala to a warmer room with alot of light. now all of my buds are now yellow and I fear that the ones just starting to develop will suffer the same fate. what should I do?

[Sharyn]

fyd96: I moved my troubled plant to a warmer area in the house, but not a brighter area. I followed a tip from Maddy - she bagged her buds. Instead of bagging the buds, I placed my plant on top of a pebble tray and then put it in a seed starter tray with the dome. It's warmer & provides more humidity. It seems to be helping, and of course this little plant is small and the spikes are short. If your's are bigger and taller orchids, you may want to follow some other direction.

I think you're stuck right now with our freezing temps., dry heat & low humidity. Just do the best you can - sooner or later our weather has to improve. You'll loose some buds, but they'll recover and perhaps next bloom season you'll be able to enjoy. I'm going through the same thing right now and I've resigned myself to do the best I can, otherwise, I'll have to wait for next blooming season. Good luck and stay optomistic.

[fyd96]

thanxs for the tip Shayron. I 'll do what I can as far as a little lower light. I have grouped some plants around to help raise up the humidity. I think that should help a bit.

[jaxz]

Originally Posted by Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

Hey everyone, including Jaxz and Willc, let's update our public profile to include our location. From the high percentage who have the info there, most of you know how important it is.

Hi Cynthia - I've just updated, or at least I hope I did it correctly. Cheers.

[kmarch]

Dear Sharyn,

In one of your posts above you said, "I've only had it about 6-7 weeks and it was in perfect condition when received." Nearly every Phal I buy in bud loses some of the buds when I bring it home. I believe it has something to do with the change in conditions. I suspect, as has happened with my Phals, that it will bud and bloom for you normally next year, after the plant has adjusted to your conditions.

-Kevin

[Sharyn]

Thanks everyone for your help. I've moved this orchid to a warmer place and covered it for more warmth & humidity. I think I just realized that I need to do a little more research on my environment. Next time I order an orchid, I'll check out it's requirements more thoroughly. This one obviously liked the tropics, with temperatures and humidity requirements that I wasn't aware of, and still not sure that I can provide on a steady basis.

Additionally, as a newbie, is there any "rule of thumb" to stick to species or hybreds? Is one or the other considered easier to grow? I basically understand the principals of genus, species, hybred, and cultivars, but it would be a lot easier for me if you'd just tell me which types "newbies" should try. Thanks a lot.

[kmarch]

Dear Sharyn,

Some people consider hybrids easier to grow. I do not hold to that belief. If a plant likes the conditions it finds itself in, it will grow well for you. Therefore, I believe the most important "rule of thumb" is: 1) know what conditions (heat, light, humidity, etc.) you have to offer (whether in your window, a sun room, greenhouse or wherever) and 2) select plants (both species and hybrids) that like those conditions. I have grown a combination of species and hybrids for about 10 years. Having said all of that, I will add that it does seem that some species are less tolerant of imperfect conditions but if you're careful about choosing plants that fit the conditions oyu already have, both you and your plants will be happier in the long run.

I used to give regular talks on how to choose orchids that fit your conditions. If you care to describe your conditions (window, sun room, greenhouse; cool intermediate, warm temps; direction the window faces, and how much space you have, etc., etc) I and the others can make some recommendations.

Happy Growing!

-Kevin

[Sharyn]

Kevin: Thank you very much for the information. I think I will start a new thread to address selecting orchids. It would be beneficial to all beginners like myself. Hope you won't mind repeating your advice in a new post.
How To Select Orchids ???

[Maddy]

Originally Posted by Sharyn

Kevin: Thank you very much for the information. I think I will start a new thread to address selecting orchids. It would be beneficial to all beginners like myself. Hope you won't mind repeating your advice in a new post.
How To Select Orchids ???

That would also make a wonderful idea for an article - I know someone was looking for article topics in another thread. It would be nice to hear everyone's recommendations, because sometimes real-world experience doesn't match up with what's in the books - for example, I can't seem to keep any kind of ivy or peace lily alive in my house, but the asparagus fern that should have shed into a withered mess and died the day the heat came on (according to the books,) just outgrew its second pot.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Can't help you on the selecting orchids problem Sharyn, since I never could grow orchids well in my home, it was first outside in S. Cal, then in a greenhouse, so the orchids I think are terrific are the ones that grow well in a greenhouse and bloom their heads off there.