Phal concern

[-k-]

I have a mini phal, there are many buds yet to open. The temps have slightly fluctuated recently with spring, here in NJ it can be 60 degrees one day and 30 the next. My space heater always keeps the temps in the 60 - 70 range.

My concern is one of the buds that is showing some signs of opening is a bit wrinkled (not dry wrinkled just wrinkled or a bit wavy) More specifically it's the two side pedals that open first! I will add a photo to the thread this evening.

My other blooms did not do this? The other closed buds look healthy and strong but with very slow growth? The rest of the plant is healthy including the open blooms which have been open for many weeks now!

Any thouhgts on what maybe going on here?

[mayres]

It is not uncommon for buds to self destruct with changing conditions - sometimes I'll even have a bud in the middle of several others yellow and fall off. Ideally they want it perhaps a little warmer, a little air movement (no cool drafts), and good humidity (are you using perhaps a tray of pebbles with water underneath?). Is your plant next to a window? Sometimes loose fitting windows can cause a mini-draft that could cause a micro-climate change next to the panes when you have huge outdoor temperature fluctuations. I'm searching here - but buds blasting are usually caused by SOME change in environmental/cultural conditions - especially (but not always) when first purchased - greenhouse to consumer.

[-k-]

Humidity is fine as I use a humidifier, there are slight drafts in the room but nothing terrible. Air circulation is good, and I have had the plant for awhile now, no bud blast yet and shows no signs of bud blast as stems are strong and healthy.

Pic now included...

[mayres]

That doesn't look so bad - if you're lucky it will continue to open and be a normal long lasting bloom after "unfolding". I'm assuming the rest of the plant looks good - leaves with good turgor and the watering schedule is going well.......

[englandfx]

*sighs*

Phals are way too picky when they are in bloom.
Basically their buds are like fragile glass hanging by a thread.

[jay]

The thing about Phals, or any orchid for that, is when you first buy them from the store you will often have some buds blast or the flowers will not last as long as you would hope. That is because the plant has not acclimated to your conditions yet since most of us don't have a greenhouse with the same ideal conditions that they were grown in. They can go through a shock because of this. Once you have had your plant for a whole blooming cycle then the flowers will be less likely to blast due to these conditions.

[-k-]

Thanks for the response... I am confident that they will be fine, all conditions are favorable and plant is strong / healthy... I have not experienced bud blast so far and hope to keep things that way! Plant has been in same room long enough now that I think if it were to lose buds it would have occured by now! I will keep my fingers crossed and keep everyone updated if it takes a turn for the worse!

Thanks again!

[Ron]

Hi K.
I agree what Jay had to say, once acclimatised and providing no cold snap effects them, they are easy to grow.
Sometimes the poor opening or wrinkling of the flowers can be casued by a sudden change in conditions.
Best of luck with the rest of the flowering.
Ron

[PhalPal]

They look like healthy buds to me!

[lmartiny]

It looks OK to me too. Maybe it will just be a bit curled. I've also lost a flower right smack in the middle of a spike but the rest are still hanging strong and I bought it in bloom at the end of Feb. from Jerry. I have a Home Depot mini that seemed to lose it's flowers too soon and I repotted out of spag and into bark and left the spike. It is now forming new buds at the end of the old spike.

[-k-]

Thats great that you found a mini at the home depot and that you have new buds growing everything they carry around here are Phals and Dens and the varieties are limited... Thanks for taking a look and commenting!

[tizzycat]

Looks fine to me. Fingers crossed.

[-k-]

Tkx... got mine crossed too.. Looks like our cats could be related! Love your avatar, great pic

[Tarad]

Looks ok to me. I have a phal right now that is dropping a couple of buds, it is because it needs a repot and wow I had no luck finding bark today! Tara

[lmartiny]

K Think our cats could be related as well.

[-k-]

Lol... My cats name is oscar, but since he's white with some black and his lips are like deep black lipstick looking his nic name is Boo Boo... plus my favorite holiday is Halloween it seemed appropriate...
Good likeness!

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by -K-

Lol... My cats name is oscar, ...

Our cat's name is also Oscar! Small world isn't it! You can read our Oscar's most recent blog entry (Tuesday 14th April) here: Got Kibble?

[-k-]

Our cat's name is also Oscar! Small world isn't it! You can read our Oscar's most recent blog entry (Tuesday 14th April) here: Got Kibble?

Love it... What a great site and such a beautiful kitty! My Oscar is 9yrs this May and he enjoys plants as much as me, since he spends all day lounging in the plant sun room! My Avatar is of him in the plant room, it's his favorite spot!

[kmarch]

Your Oscar is handsome and adorable! Our Oscar sends greetings, MEOW!!!!

[PhalPal]

Originally Posted by -K-

........he enjoys plants as much as me, since he spends all day lounging in the plant sun room! My Avatar is of him in the plant room, it's his favorite spot!

I have six cats and they love my orchid room and the orchids in my kitchen window. (don't tell my husband they get up on the counter to lounge in the sun among the flowers) They were spending so much time in my orchid room I put their cat tree in there too! Fortunately they don't nibble at all but do like to smell the flowers.

[lmartiny]

K. Get this. Ours is named Bo Bo.

[-k-]

Fortunately they don't nibble at all but do like to smell the flowers.

6 cats... Nice Oscar is one enough for me!
Fortunately he takes no interest in eating any of them either, he just loves to lounge out in there

K. Get this. Ours is named Bo Bo.

That's great! He responds to Boo Boo as much as Oscar... he's a very chatty cat!
Tkx for sharing... love the cat pics as much as the orchid pics!