Phal equestris blasting buds

[Vivienne]

Okay, I'm so stumped. I received a Phal equestris (2" pot) from Oak Hill back in early March (ordered for Valentine's Day but delayed due to chilly weather). Since that time it has done nothing but grow a lovely spike that is now 6" long but every single bud has blasted. And they're blasting very early on in development. Suggestions on cause?

Would you cut this spike and let it start over? Would you leave the spike and see if it eventually holds a bud/bloom?

[Hummer344]

Could it be because the plant is to young to support the spike? IMHO I would cut the spike & hope the plant supported the next spike

[mayres]

I have a mini phal in my office that blasted two complete sets of buds and wanted to bud/flower so bad it kept putting on additional SETS of buds - finally the third set stayed on and put on a nice display for about 10-12 weeks. If the rest of the plant appears healthy I'd let it do whatever it wants to do on its own. Good air movement? I know you have noted humidity can be an issue...........

[Tobi]

Hi Viv,
I have read that multifloral Phals like equestris and stuartiana and hybrids made from
them are more susceptible to bud blast. Could be genetics. Also as Mike pointed out,
humidity can be a problem that causes blasting as well. I just was discussing this topic
with one of our local growers last week and he told me that low humidity is one of the
attributing factors to them blasting. Moving them from one location where the humidity
was higher to another location could possibly cause it.

[janet_a]

maybe it's the weather--i've had buds blast on just about every single plant that's bloomed so far this year. usually, that never happens; i'll get one or two a season.

my equestris, however, is going to town. (of course, it started blooming last fall, so that may be it.)

[gore42]

Hows your humidity, Vivienne? Low humidity and low night temperatures seem to do the trick on my Phal buds. Just a thought.

- Matt

[Vivienne]

The humidity in my atrium is a constant 60% or higher and I have 4 fans going 24/7. I'm stumped.

[PhalPal]

I don't know Vivienne. If it hasn't been moved and the conditions have been constant your buds shouldn't be blasting. Actually, just how consistant is your atrium temperture? I know you don't want to do this, but can you see the roots?? Maybe there is something going on with your Phal that you cannot see and it couldn't support the spike.

With all the discussion about moving Phals in bloom I need to mention this again. I'm not bragging! but I rarely have blasted buds and I don't know why. The way I move my orchids around I should have buds blasting everywhere! In January I moved a blooming equestris from my upstairs orchid room (warmer, moister, brighter) to my kitchen window (cooler, dryer, darker) and all 14 buds lasted months. It even took a road trip with me to my orchid society meeting on a cool night. I really don't know, but I'm sorry you have lost all your beautiful little buds. I would cut the spike and look at the roots, just to be sure.

[Sharyn]

I'd leave the spike on and wait and see. Like janet_a, almost everything that bloomed for me this year blasted at least one bud. My Phal Be Tris has been doing this for the last two months, but keeps getting new buds. My Sogo Grape blasted the first two buds, but the other three flowers have been in bloom since Feb 1st. My equestris is doing absolutely nothing. Go figure.

My humidity has been at 50-60% most of the time. I think it's the weird weather. One day it's warm and dry, the next day freezing and damp.

[Vivienne]

I've really never had a Phal blast before. The temps in the atrium range from low 60s at night to 80 max during the day. On occasion it will go up to 85 but that is at noon and only lasts about an hour.

Guess I better do a root check tomorrow!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I'd leave the spikes. Since they tend to keep growing and puttung out flower flushes over and over again, you may get flowers that stay when the weather changes just slightly, or when the plant finally feels at home more.