Den buds die before blooming!

[blk_seedorchid]

Hello fellow Geeks

For the last two years I've noticed that some blooms on my Den will usually appear to dry up and die before they bloom. I've tried less sun, more sun, more water, less water, no fertilizer and different strength fertilizer. I thought for sure since I started using worm poop it would do better this year. But the same is happening. I've had this Den now about 6 years it was one of my 1st orchids and blooms beautifully, it's huge now has approx 8 spikes but I can't get one of them to bloom all the way. Currently she get's good light at least 3 hrs filtered from my lanai I control when it gets the rain since we have a rainy season here in Tampa FL. It just started to bloom I was watering & feeding once per week but since the buds started dieing I changed to twice with feeding once and moved to less sun but I'm getting the same results. I'm starting to think the worst now maybe some type of disease. But I thought I'd come to my favorite forum (which by the way my wife says I spend to much time on) and ask my fellow geeks for suggestions. Please help the mother Den.

[jerrymeola]

This is a quite common problem with dens that are attacked by thrips. They are little sucking insects that literally eat the nutrients from the buds. They are very tiny and you will not see them unless you are looking for them and even then a jewelers loop may be necessary. I assume they are always present and treat accordingly.

This is why some buds die and many live. If it was the health of the plant causing the problem many more buds would be bad.

I use worm tea on all my den buds as they form. This will kill thrips without any damage to the buds. The most common poison to use is orthene, which works well.

Thrips have a three day life cycle and you must treat 3-4 times in a week to kill all the eggs as they hatch or the plant will be re-infected.

[FLaCo]

I don't know what to tell you. It seems like you have done everything insight. Last thing I would suggest is giving it a cold snap but, I just noticed your plant is outdoors. The weather change can promote blooms and you have a colder fall and winter than us down here. My Dens, have already started to spike. They automatically receive less sun because of the different angle of the season.

[articuno75]

I agree with Jerry and say it's an insect problem. Be vigilante when treating or the problem might become worse before it gets better.

[blk_seedorchid]

Originally Posted by jerrymeola

I use worm tea on all my den buds as they form. This will kill thrips without any damage to the buds.

Originally Posted by jerrymeola

The most common poison to use is orthene, which works well..

Thx Jerry but question How should I use the worm tea on Den Buds? Do you pour the tea on the buds themselves or do you mean you water with it? And whats your esperience with the orthene is it ok for the buds as well?

[articuno75]

Mist the plant and buds directly.

[articuno75]

I know people have a heart attack when I say that. I do this and no harm has come to my plants/buds doing this with worm tea.

[blk_seedorchid]

Jenny & Jerry,

Thanks so very much!

[blk_seedorchid]

I wanted to give an update on my mother Den! IT WORKED! I treated the buds by spraying them with worm tea and IT WORKED! You guys & gals R DA BEST!

[LouisW]

Problem solved. Way to go geeks.

[patticake]

That's a beautiful bloom, also! Worth the wait!

[articuno75]

Gorgeous blooms. Glad that everything worked out.