What happened here?

[Zsophia]

Can anybody let me know what should I do whit this? They look like starting to dry out. And the plant is full of spikes! What should I do? Please!

[kid a]

Uh oh! Is it a new plant to your environment? Maybe upping humidity would help. But it could be a few different things. How are you growing it and please forgive me because I have no clue what it is haha, what is it? lol

[kmarch]

Hmmm, I actually think mites may have caused this. I say this for 2 reasons: 1) I see signs on mite activity on the leaf tips of the plant (last pic), and 2) if mites suck juices from buds or bud parts, the buds often abort.

I'd recommend a good bath in insecticidal soap or other preferred insecticide, repeating as per package instructions.

[Zsophia]

I do not know what it is, I bought it on the market. It was in full shade little bit far from the rest of the orchids. I only watered it when I remembered. It was alone under the palms. I did not even see the spike. When I realized, it was already too late for the one on picture 1&2. I moved it out to a little lighter area. Sill full shade, but a little more light. I am so afraid I will loose these becaus there are at least 5 spikes on it! Thanks!

[Zsophia]

Originally Posted by kmarch

Hmmm, I actually think mites may have caused this. I say this for 2 reasons: 1) I see signs on mite activity on the leaf tips of the plant (last pic), and 2) if mites suck juices from buds or bud parts, the buds often abort.

I'd recommend a good bath in insecticidal soap or other preferred insecticide, repeating as per package instructions.

I will do first thing tomorrow. Do you think flowers are to be able to saved?

[FLBob]

The last photo looks like sunburn.

I'd look for ants walking on the flower spikes. Ants are farmers and move mites and aphids on to the buds. The wee bugs suck the tender shoots, the ants feed on the sugars, and fungus that develops on the damaged tissues kills the buds.
At least that what it looks like to me.

[lmartiny]

Maybe some type of Hawrarra. (sp?) I've got one blooming now. Can't help on bugs. My Hwra. did have a fourth spike fail that had buds. Seemed to dry up. (but I can't rule out invovlement of Bobo the cat, the orchid chewer) I've been needing to mix up a batch of fung/insect spray but can't seem to get around to it.

[elitebettas]

oh wow, I think you have thrips, cut off the blackened tips and inspect, sometimes you can see the tiny black insects. I'd remove the infected spikes, spray the plant with Bayer Rose and flower spray and drench the medium in it. I had the same problem on a dendrobium last year and was able to save it. They haven't showed up this year though, Good luck

[kmarch]

I came back to this thread to suggest another possibility, thrips, but elitebettas beat me to it. Thrips can get inside flower buds as they form and cause them to blast. I think this is more likely than mites. I think elitebettas is right.