shriveled phal. buds

[wakingkate]

I'm sure this is obvious, but I'm asking just to be sure. I got a beautiful phalaenopsis from Sam's (big warehouse-type store) for my birthday. I wasn't able to pick it out -- it was a gift. So when I got it, it had almost ten flowers and four buds at the end of one stem. (It has two flower stems... is it two plants??) The growing medium was moist, so I didn't water it for a few days. however, three of the buds turned peach coloured (orig. green), shriveled, and fell off within a few days of my rec. the orchid. One stayed green and healthy. I watered it according to the package and a week later, the last remaining bud fell off. Does this problem even have to do with watering? I'm so confused...!

[mayres]

First of all, if you are new to the world of orchids I would recommend reading a few culture sheets/info pages from a couple of the sites on the internet (such as aos.org where they have both beginner and intermediate culture faqs) - there are many others that we can recommend too if you need further direction. Also a good inexpensive book may be of help such as Orthos book on Orchids which can be found at most big box type stores such as Home Depot, Lowes and others. Both of these will help you narrow down the questions you will have going forward. In the meantime I'll try to cover the most crucial basics the best I can - the most common way this type of orchid is killed is overwatering. When asking questions about watering it will be most important to know what your orchid is planted in (media). There are many types - some obviously require more water than others. Plants in bark require more watering than those planted in a media such as sphagnum moss. You can tell when the plant needs water in that it will be light (in comparison to a freshly watered plant) when you lift it up. The duration between waterings may be as little as 3-4 days and as long as more than two weeks depending upon media and environment. The amount of light a phal gets is also crucial - if you put it in an area where direct sunlight will strike the leaves it will quickly burn - if the leaves feel warm to the touch it is getting too much light. Air movement can help. Many phals that are "happy" will put out two spikes (one plant) - of course we all like this as well. Makes US happy! :-) Occasionally you will find orchid vendors who will sell pots with 2-3 plants crowded together like one plant and a spike coming from each - but in general not. There are a host of possible reasons for your buds/flowers fading so fast - many may not be your fault. Moving them from one environment to another stresses them and causes them to prematurely drop blooms. Normal bloom length is three months plus (hard to believe but true!). Temperature stress for even a few minutes can cause the blooms to quickly fade. Humidity stress (these plants want a humid environment) is also a factor. I have brought a phal to my office from a store and had all the blooms drop in two weeks. A plant that started blooming in my office has gone over three months without dropping blooms. Your plant will do much better if you bring it through the change of living with you and then its next bloom cycle it will probably last a long time if all other factors are to its liking. Hope this helps more than it hurts - do a lot of reading and keep the questions coming. Good luck - mike

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

It could be loss of roots from overwatering (more likely done by the store than you), or it could be from shock due to the change in the environment. I'm sure Jerry will add lots to this answer. If the plant is in a plastic pot, you can flex the pot to free up the roots, pull the root ball out of the pot, then inspect for live roots. Live roots will be thick and firm, kind of succulent like a raw potatoe. If the roots are hollow with a thin wire inside, they are dead. If there are a number of live roots, put the ball back into the pot, and carry on looking for the problem elsewhere. A few dead roots are normal if they were very old or abused during a previous repotting.

It is extremely important that you learn how to water this plant. No one can tell you how often to water your plant. You have to find the right frequency for your conditions. Get some bamboo barbeque skewers from the grocery store. Using one you have not handled the business end of, push it into the pot all the way to the bottom, and leave it there. When you think it may be time to water, pull the skewer and look for moisture, replacing afterwards. The color will be darker when wet, and you don't want to water until the color has just about returned to normal. You can calibrate this method by digging your finger down into the pot to feel the wetness, BUT, you must not stab any roots with your fingernails, or you could infect the plant with a virus. So, put on a fresh clean disposable glove, that the finger tips haven't been touched, onto the probing hand, then poke your hole down into the mix. Then you can take off the glove and feel the inside of the hole for coolness. Phals should get very close to dry before watering. If in doubt, wait a little longer. Many mixes dry on top, but are still quite wet down inside the pot, where it really needs to get very close to dry. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

[jerrymeola]

I think I will try to keep this very short. Biggest problem is buying from Sam's. They do not even try to care for the plants. But the gift of an orchid is special regardless of the source. Someone was being very nice to you.

Second Phals are forced grown by most commercial growers. They normally only flower early spring. They can be forced by chilling earlier or heating them in winter and chilling in summer. I lose the unopened buds on about 1/3 of the phals I buy. You did not do anything wrong. You did not own it long enough (and neither did Sam's) to have rotted the roots. Root rot would normally cause the opened flowers to drop and the leaves to fall off. the plant has been stressed several times in moving and sale and dropping buds retains its strength for growing, It is natural.

Accept the loss of some buds as part of the natural cycle and enjoy the rest.

Two flower spikes are not necessarily two plants. If you have two separate stems from which leaves are growing then you would have two plants. Many growers are double potting this year.

In an apartment you can start with watering about every 10 days, more often if the air is very dry. Read the other threads on this forum on phals and slowly decide which advice suits your conditions. It will be worth the effort.

[wakingkate]

WOW, thanks for all the advice, y'all! (Yes, I'm from Arkansas, lol.) It makes me feel better to know that the buds falling off are probably not my fault. Thanks again!!

kate