Yellow buds on my "moth" orchid- what is wrong?

[Courtney]

Hello to all the orchid experts out there! Thank you for taking the time to take a look at newbie questions.
I really enjoy my houseplants, but am far from an expert. I have a problem with one of my orchids (and it looks like the others might be starting to go the same way- they are all together. The buds are starting to turn yellow. I pulled a few off and they came off very easily.

A little about the environment. I live in a seaside town in Italy. It has been very hot (90-100F) for the past two weeks but has recently cooled off to temperatures around 75-80F. I don't have air conditioning so it it subjected to whatever the weather is, though the inside of my home never gets as hot as outside. I have the plants in a basket that sits on a wall near a window. It never gets direct sunlight, but is in a light area. I water them about once ever 7 days. The soil feels cool to the touch. Not moist exactly, but not completely dry- in other words, almost time for watering I guess.
Oh, I don't know if this makes a difference, but one of the flowers kind of wilted on the stem, like a rose might do. If I remember correctly, on my last orchid the blooms stayed for a long time and then kind of fell off still somewhat fresh looking. This wilted flower seemed strange to me.

I am confused because I have googled for information and some sights say this is a sign of too much water, others say it needs more water.



Thank you for any advice!

courtney

[Courtney]

I would like to post a picture to make it easier, but I need 5 posts. Here's 2!

[Courtney]

ok, this should be the last one I need before I can post pictures. I hope you don't mind me sneaking around the system here!

[Courtney]

Here we go...

Full view of plants:


Proximity to window and general placement:


Yellow buds:

[norris]

Hi Courtney, and welcome your plant looks good. I love all the flowers, is that all one plant? The flowers on my Phals usually wilt before they fall off, so I don't think that is a problem. I'm not sure why the buds blasted, could be a number of things. You mentioned the hot spell, that would be my first choice, but like you said both over watering , and under watering could also cause that. if you search the forum for 'skewer method for watering' that might help you determine when to water. Good luck

[NancyG]

Hi Courtney,

If your phal is in with the other plants you may want to take it out and put it in orchid material like sphgnum moss or hydro rock or bark. Orchids don't like soil they need to be able to drain well and have good air circulation at their roots. Phals don't like direct sun but light filtered light is good with plenty of air circulation. If you just got these it is not unusual for some of the buds to fall off due to change in location and temperatures.

I'm sure the phal experts here at the forum will give you more advice.

NancyG

[Courtney]

Thank you norris and Nancy. I have the orchids in their own individual pots with the soil mix or whatever it is that they were originally potted in, just a lot of other greenery and such stuffed into the basket as well. Should I remove them from the basket completely? I like the look of the arrangement but obviously want the orchids to live. Do you think they need more air around the pots?

[jay]

Hello and welcome to the forum! If the orchid is in its own pot with good drainage then it should be fine around the other plants. It is a little confusing in the picture though because of how many spikes there are from the group of plants. Do you have one Phal or two?

The flowers look great. If the leaves are still looking good then I would think the heat may be the cause of the bud blast. Keep an eye on the rest of the plant. If the leaves begin to sag, go limp, or wrinkle then it will be a problem with the roots.

[lynda]

Courtney, I'm jealous...your plant has so many flowers. Its beautiful.

[solay]

Sometimes when orchids are sold in an arrangement like that, they are put together for looks only. Meaning the medium is probably not so great for the Phal. Also there's no drainage or at least not much. If you like the arrangement, you can re-pot after it is done blooming. Of course that is if the plant doesn't start to die first.
How long have you had it? Could also be that the buds are blasting from a change in environment. It might be adjusting to the new location.
Keep an eye on it and if it starts looking worse, you might have to re-pot sooner than later.

[patticake]

Hi Courtney! Others have stated what I think, but I'll throw my hat in the ring! I think the heat may be the culprit. But as Solay asked, how long have you had the plant? If it's fairly new, then the change in environment along with with the high heat will blast buds for sure. I don't think they like a huge change in temp. either way. ( A blast of cold would have been even worse! ) If the plant has been in your possession for a long time, then you may need to re-pot it.

The plant is beautiful! I want you to know that I look for a nice orchid picture every morning before I go to work. This has been my morning "fix"!

[Courtney]

Thanks everyone for the advice and the compliments!
Jay, it is actually 4 plants, just all in one basket. Solay, as I mentioned in my last post, I put the plants in the basket for looks, but the individual plants are in individual pots in the soil that they came in. The plants are not sharing a pot or soil mix with any other type of plant or with any other orchids- one plant to one pot. Each pot has drainage holes and they regularly drain when I water them. I don't think it is a drainage issue, but I am concerned about the amount of water I am giving them as I am new to this- is it too much or too little?
In any case, I guess it is just trial and error- I am being delicate with them and watching them carefully. Hopefully I can find out what they like before it gets too bad!