I've got an Epidendrum dilemma; hubby said "why don't you 'geek' it?"

[lmartiny]

A good idea, and perhaps a new saying! Anyway, I have an Epidendrum Pacific Ember I bought last year in December. It had about 9 spikes. They all dried up (the flower tips) and I got one flower out of the whole lot. I was disappointed. This year I got about as many spikes. The same thing is happening. I don't know if it may be the timing with cold fronts, and bringing it inside for a day or so, or what it may be. I had two flowers so far and the rest are drying up. My other Epis are pretty hardy. Then to add insult to injury, the pot cracked and I dropped it. The two flowers fell off, and a piece or two broke. Thus my pictures in a vase.






Any tips for this Epi?

[Shannara]

Argh...blasted buds and spikes are such a huge disappointment. I am having the same issue with my Encyclia altissima. Last year I didn't see the spike when it was on the rolling racks and it dried out. This year another spike comes along so I am babying it and giving it extra attention. It was doing really well until the cold snaps hit. I have brought it in and out several times and now the entire thing has blasted. I guess the dry warmth inside and the cool temps outside are too much of a change for some of our chid babies would be my guess.

If I get another spike during the cold season I will keep it in the garage instead of the house. Maybe mist it a bit to see if that helps. It's so disappointing when you wait all year for the spike/s only to have them blast!! Blast it all!

Shann~

[orchids4me]

I agree with shann this has happened to many time to count even from a store to home or shipping to home in bud. So I feel you both