its a nice world, this orchid one

[sizzla]

i guess i could be considered a 'newbie.' I purchase an Orchid at the Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus ohio, and because of my amateur'ness im going to read off the info on the tab: NF1368 PHAL / Brother Girl Brother AM/AOS X Baldan's Kaleidoscope sunset colors -

my situation is - my orchid sits on the 3rd story looking east through a window. 3 buds, or fully blossomed buds, all which were the lowest on the stem, have died and thus i took them off. now one that was 2nd lowest died. ive been watering it weekly, on sunday, and ive done the plant treatment 1 time in about the month ive had it. i just did it again today, and watered it, and i was replacing it and there were definately some nat like creatures , 1 or 2 , around the plant. any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated .

thanks.

[jerrymeola]

NF1368 PHAL - is the growers personal reference number and has no other significience

Brother Girl Brother AM/AOS X Baldan's Kaleidoscope 'sunset colors'
shows that it is a cross of two other phals
1- Brother Girl Brother, which since the first letter is a capital letter shows it is also a cross of other phals
AM/AOS shows it was awarded the Award of Merit fro the American Orchid Society and is registered as such.
The X shows it is a cross with the second phal Baldan's Kaleidoscope 'Sunset Colors' --- 'Sunset Colors' is the color variation of the plant from the grower. Everytime two plants, which are the same, are crossed the seed results may not be consistent and variations are indicated by naming them and placing the distinction in quotes. All the names have no significiene other than the growers whim in naming.

Both are common here in florida Kaleidoscope is know for particularily long lasting flowers.

Now to the health of your plant. If these are flowers falling off then it is probably just the age of the flower and natural. If closed buds are falling off this is called bud blast and can happen from a number of reasons. Moving plants can cause buds to fall. If the plant had been dried out at the store (common with Home Depot WalMart etc) they can drop buds for survival. Changes of temperatures and drafts can cause buds to drop.

All these are common on new purchases and less common after the plant has adapted over a years time.

The nats are not a good sign, but may not be harmful. A simple cure for many problemns like this is to sprinkle cinnamun over the pot. It is a safe treatment for children and pets and works quite often.

[greg_s]

cinnamumumumnan?
Does this work the same way as tobacco on rose bushes?

Cinnamon acts like a fungicide and deterrant. It's used on roots that have been cut or injured, or sprinkled on top of the soil.

[greg_s]

That little piece of information is definately going to be kept on file. Thanks very much.

This is why I love this forum!