Flower buds not ripening

[ipendlebury]

Last year I bought a Phalaenopsis which had two flower stems full of beautiful white flowers. These died off after several months. I was pleasantly suprised to see a new flower stem emerging a couple of months later. This stem has been incredibly slow to develop. Only one flower has become completely white. The other buds are only half open and the petals are almost completely green. They have been like this for 3 months now without any sign of progressing.

So I assume that the plant is not getting enough of something. Can anyone suggest what it might be? Another flower stem is now growing. It has grown 8 inches in two weeks and looks really healthy so far.

Ian

[tom499]

How often are you feeding it? slow or stunted growth could be because of a lack of minerals. A lack of light could also be a problem, please give us an idea of the environment it living in

[fred]

Hi Ian

Welcome to the forum

I hope that you enjoy your stay here with all of us orchidgeeks

I have enclosed a link for you to help you understand your Phalaenopsis orchid.

Orchid Care for Phalenonopis & Paphiopedilum Orchids

we have lots of members who grow Phals and I am sure they will help answer your qustions also.

so what ever questions that you may heve feel free to ask no matter how silly you might think the question may be.

we all start somwhere with orchids and this forum is an awesome place to learn.

happy chatting

[ipendlebury]

Originally Posted by tom499

How often are you feeding it? slow or stunted growth could be because of a lack of minerals. A lack of light could also be a problem, please give us an idea of the environment it living in

It's on my bathroom window sill. It gets good light in the mornings while the sun is on the back of the house. I've just been using the general purpose fertiliser that I use for the rest of my plants. So perhaps this is the problem.

[Aniko]

Hoof Hearted - I think this is unusual...It seems that your Phal gets everything she needs - so, I can't explain why the buds are stagnant.

Had anybody else experience similar situation?!

[Stargazer997]

Hi, I don't mean to intrude on Hoof Hearted's post, but as I was just about to post my own...I have exactly the same issue with my Miltonia Spectabilis. It was in spike when I bought it 2 months ago, but both spikes just quit, turned yellow, never opened. The rest of the plant looks fine, green and healthy. From what I gather (wrong?), this Orchid does not like alot of bright light, which is how I've situated it, off to the the side of a South facing window. It's in peat moss. I HATE peat moss, I do not have luck with it. I water when the moss seems to be a tad dry, not crunchy. Bummer to have missed two spikes!

[Aniko]

Stargaser - your situation it's a bit different because your Miltonia was introduced in a new environment: your home.
This change caused a little shock to the plant and unfortunately, cost you the blooms.Not the peat moss is to blame...
And, maybe you keep the medium too dry.Here is a link to a Milt. care page, it might be helpful.
Good luck!

http://www.brennansorchids.com/milt.html

[Stargazer997]

Thanks Aniko, I think the link indicates that I'm on the right track. I am just bummed that nothing devoped. To wait another year?
Signed, a newbie with many orchids to tend to personally.

[Aniko]

Than, a new growth has to appear soon, just give it a little more time... The new growth will bring you a new spike.
This is a game of patience .

[DDS2007]

i have a suggestion but please, if anybody sees this as a bad advice feel free to correct me

try placing an apple next to your orchids. i heared that ripening fruits produce some kind of ripening gas , it might do your orchids good

but i'm a newbie myself so don't try this until it's confermed by the seniors of this forum !!!!

[krislee]

I am also new to this wonderful forum. I remember reading that ripening fruit gives off ethylene gas and this could cause the flowers to have a shorter life.

[Sharyn]

DDS2007: Please tell me you're not the "Darth Vadar" of Orchids? Death comes to orchids exposed to ethylene gases. Why not just put it in the garage with the car running? Eat the apple Eve, don't ask for trouble.

I recently went into Home Depot before Easter and saw all the orchids surrounded by the beautiful Hyacinths...................surely death will follow

p.s. Hyacinths expel gases that will kill an orchid - so does ripening fruit.