Phal petals shriveling

[maria17m]

I recieved a phal orchid as a gift about 10 days. Ago. I have only watered it twice so far (I'm a teacher in Michigan and I keep it in my very dry, warm, well-lit classroom away from the window). It has been blooming beautifully until now. 2 Days ago it was still healthy. Today I looked at it and the flowers are beginning to dry up and shrivel. I am concerned because I still have 3 blooms that have not opened yet. Is this normal? What should I do?

I'm attaching pictures. The first three are from the past week (when it was still a happy and healthy plant). The following pictures are what my sad plant looks like today.

[11Orchid126]

In bringing an orchid home, it's subjected to a totally different atmosphere than what it was previously in. The plant sort of goes into shock. It may even have experienced some chill. It may lose some of its blossoms, and even the buds, which is called "bud blast". Right now the plant doesn't look too bad. Let's hope the buds stay healthy and bloom down the line for you. You might try misting the air above the blooms and let it slowly drift down to them. Don't spray the blooms directly. The extra humidity may help.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by maria17m

I recieved a phal orchid as a gift about 10 days. Ago. I have only watered it twice so far (I'm a teacher in Michigan and I keep it in my very dry, warm, well-lit classroom away from the window).

The answer to your question can be found in your conditions:
1) you mention you just received it. Phals are touchy when moved from one set of conditions (like a greenhouse or store) to another (like your office or home) and the result is usually shortened flower life, flower drop or what we call bud blast (the buds shriveling and dropping before they open).

2) You mention your room is very dry and warm. Phals like moisture and humidity. They liketo be kept evenly andgently moist and they like a bit of humidity (usually at least 40-60%). Drying out and low humidity can cause flowers to fade early.

Go to the American Orchid Society and get a culture sheet on phals or look at the culture sheet on this forum. Give it a read and let us know if you have any questions.

Happy Growing!

[mayres]

As Kevin says - dry (no humidity) is something I have found to be very hard on phals. In my office environment (air conditioned) the blooms will only last a week or so instead of the three months plus at home. A few times I have gotten phals to spike in my office and sometimes they will do OK with low humidity if they are acclimated. The last plant kept blasting the buds and dropping flowers - I took it home and it put out a while additional set of buds and flowers that all opened normally - and are still beautiful a month later - so most likely is just the environment you have them in. A tray of pepples will help some - but only about 10% in the immediate vicinity - also, one little tray with one plant is less likely to be a contributor of significant humidity versus a large area of rocks and water with 20-30 plants or more.......
Good luck - mike

[BunnytheOrchid]

I can't make out much of the leaves, but if the leaves are firm and green then the plant is still in ok shape. Humidity should help Also, when I purchase a new orchid, I try to protect the plant (at least in transit while in my car) by putting it in a bag and then a another plastic bag over the top of the plant. It looks a little silly, but in Monterey where it has been around 50-60 everyday, I find it helps the plant a little bit Good luck!