What ate my Vanda?

[kataveryp]

Can anyone tell me what ate my Vanda bud? I have a vanda which is hanging from a hook inside a screened patio. It had a lovely flower spike about to open. This morning I came out to find that something had chewed all around the spike just below the first bud, eaten out the first flower bud and chopped off the stem above it. I found the other buds on the ground. I don't see evidence of any slugs/snails. I have seen wood roaches on the patio and I have green anole lizards out there. I have also noticed that some of the leaves look like they have been chewed on at the tips.
Does anyone have any ideas?

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

How about slugs living in the potting mix which normally would live on roots. Actually, this is pretty unlikely, because I doubt there would be that much root activity to feed something that voracious, but some thing to look for. Also, look for a means by which a rodent could have gotten into the area. Had a rat come in an unscreened vent do severe damage.

[palito]

It can be grasshoppers . They like to chew exposed root tips and flower buds.

[chefatplay]

My first thought was a grasshopper, too. They are voracious eaters. So sorry to hear. We wait so long for the flowers and then to have something come and ruin it.

[pikevi]

Hello kataveryp. Welcome to the forum.

Since you mentioned that it is hanging 'inside' the screened patio door, I 'd assume it can either be slug(s) or earwig(s). Both can hide under or in between media.

I assume grasshoppers cannot get in.

I don't know if grasshoppers can hide too but I doubt that they can.

[kataveryp]

Thanks to all of you who offered ideas. I know it is not something in the media as there is no media. It is hanging bare in a basket.
However, I think that it was a wood roach. I have found a few on my patio at night. They come in under the door. That is the only thing that I can conceive of having gotten up to the bud. I found one the other night nibbling on one of the buds that had fallen to the ground.
I will become very vigilant about spraying to keep them out.

[pikevi]

At least you now know who the culprits are

It should be easier to control them now.

Good luck.