Bloom buds always wither

[Serenity]

On my Phals, I will get buds, but they never open for me because they always end up with the bud shriveled and brown eventually. This has happened on all my Phals over the past year. What am I doing wrong? Is it that perhaps they are not getting quite enough water?

Thanks,

Serenity

[walingwaling]

hmmm, sounds strange if it happens to all of em....
did you change anything while they were in buds, like location, humidity etc?

[catttan]

I agree with Ron. It has happened to only two of my cattelyas Otarara Hwa Yuan Bay and Lc Hsin Yin Skies. I shifted them to another part of the orchid house and I got three spikes from Lc Hsin YIn Skies with 3 buds on each spike.The first spike dropped one bud and two bloomed. The other 2 spikes dropped all the buds. No spike yet from Hwa Yuan Bay.The problem from the two plants only started 3 years ago. I still suspect it's thrips.

In your case has it started only from last year? Did you change your routine during the same period? Did you change your grow area?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Are your phals where the air conditioner / heater can blow on the buds? if so, that will cause them to blast. Also, moving them around can cause issues especially if the move involves a change in temperature.

Cheers,
BD

[Serenity]

I don't move those particular orchids. They are on the top shelf, well away from any a/c vents.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I don't move those particular orchids. They are on the top shelf, well away from any a/c vents.

Ah, the top shelf; then it is probably a humidity issue. Increase the humidity around these plants. Group them more tightly together and make sure to keep good air movement so they don't get fungus problems. They need more humidity is my best guess knowing some more about the growing situation.

Cheers,
BD

[orchidlady]

If there is AC going on, then I would agree with Bruce that it is most likely a humidity issue.

Susan

[delilah]

You might consider if there are ripening fruit in the vicinity of your phals. I have heard that the ethylene gas might cause buds to blast, or at the very least, shorten bloom time.

[espranch]

I have found that my orchids DO NOT like to be moved...especially when they are in spike or blooming. So.....I do not move them at those times! Just what I've been told by my orchids...Betty