Orchid Flower Buds falling off, Help!

[livvylove]

About 12 days ago I bought a Dendrobium Orchid. Well the first two buds bloomed and it looked beautiful. Then the other ones started changing to different colors, I figured that it might just be that it was a different color but then today two buds that where about to bloom had fallen off.

New Orchid - March 08 | Livvylove I have about 30 pictures of it in that gallery. I took some up close photos of before the buds fell off and after.

On Saturday we watered the plant, we where told water once a week so we watered it. That's the only thing we have done to the plant. Any advice because it looks like another one is about to do the same as the other buds.

[articuno75]

Hi Livvy,
Well there could be a couple of things going on here.

You said that you just bought the plant here about 12 days ago. This might be bud blast due to the change in conditions and the plant trying to adjust.

Have you read about using the Skewer Method for watering orchids?
Reason I ask is because your plant looks to be in a plastic pot, and the medium looks like it has a little bit of everything in it including spagh moss. I'm thinking you're watering too often.

This type of Den is a Phal type. they like to be moist (I let mine dry out a little bit more so) between waterings but not soaking.

[clarita]

Can you tell us your growing conditions? Since you bought it in spike there is no way to know how long the plant has been in bloom. Could be a natural decline. All flowers eventually fade

[livvylove]

Originally Posted by clarita

Can you tell us your growing conditions? Since you bought it in spike there is no way to know how long the plant has been in bloom. Could be a natural decline. All flowers eventually fade

Well I bought it before it started to bloom, the first pictures show it before any of the flowers had bloomed so I don't think that is the case. These didn't even bloom before they fell off, you can see in the pictures the buds before and after they fell off.


To articuno75, yea I read the Skewer Method, I'm going to have to try that. I was wondering do you guys just use plain tap water or water that has extra vitamins inside.


Also this
CIMG1185 | Livvylove

is worrying me. The leaf was nice and green and now it's not looking so great.

[E-Jag]

Livvylove, dens like quite a bit of light. Mine sit outside on a south-facing screened-in porch and get some direct sun (but not enough to burn). Are yours getting enough light? Additionally, in Florida, right about now I start soaking mine good every 2nd or 3rd day. They're in clay orchid pots, though, and lose moisture quicker than a plant in a plastic pot will. My guess would be blast or light, though.

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E-Jag

[livvylove]

Originally Posted by E-Jag

Livvylove, dens like quite a bit of light. Mine sit outside on a south-facing screened-in porch and get some direct sun (but not enough to burn). Are yours getting enough light? Additionally, in Florida, right about now I start soaking mine good every 2nd or 3rd day. They're in clay orchid pots, though, and lose moisture quicker than a plant in a plastic pot will. My guess would be blast or light, though.

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E-Jag

So it won't hurt it to be outside when it's sunny, it has been nice outside lately. Right now I have it placed on a table near a window, the window faces north.

Would any of you guys suggest repotting the plant in something other then the plastic cup it came in or should I leave it as is until it starts looking better? Another bud looks like it's about to fall off .

[LouisW]

I would not repot it because that may cause additional stress on the plant, and when the plant is stressed new buds are the first to go. I would, however, put it in a brighter location because I don't think a north window is enough light for most dendrobum.

p.s. on a more positive note, those are really nice flowers.

[E-Jag]

Livvylove, plastic pots are good - they allow you to see how the roots are doing at any given time. You want them to be plump and green or white. Plastic (the clear) isn't especially pretty but you can always put it in a decorative container. I wouldn't leave it in there all the time, though, as the roots on an orchid handle a lot of the photosynthesis necessary to it's survival.

I have all of my orchids outside. I would suggest you do the same with your dens. They likely aren't getting nearly enough light where you have them and, outside, the wind movement/breeze is good for it. Keeps insects like spider mites off. I bring mine in when the temps drop below 38-40 degrees F. In very warm temperatures water every other day or so.

Good luck. They really are one of the easier orchids to grow.

E-Jag

[livvylove]

Other then those 4 buds that fell off the rest have bloomed beautifully. I will post some progress photos since all the buds that survived are in bloom. Since it hasn't been that warm outside lately I only put it outside one day, I am scared to leave it out side because our neighbors have a cat that they let outside and it comes into our yard and messes with our plants. It seems to like the spot it's in now.