Help! Flower buds are falling off

[smartie2000]

...yes it does have a very nice spike and you have a southern window that should supply excellent light,and there are phals that are naturally darker leaved and get a red tint in higher light, so it is possible there is the correct amount of light. I like the red tint actually, and I get some red tinting under fluorescent lights
Do you know the cross of the plant and the media it is growing in?

Jimboboorchid is a phal breeder, I'm sure he knows it all....

[lilyb]

To answer Jimboborchid's questions, the shadow on the wall is from the camera flash. I think it's getting enough sun light, but is under-watered, as the roots are wrinkled and crispy. I usually water only once per week, and medium is pretty dry by that time. I let it soak in water for 20-30 minutes, and let it drain completely before putting it back to the decorative pot. The medium is orchid bark. Shall I water more often?

[smartie2000]

Maybe water every 5 days. Some cripsy roots is better than mushy ones.

To me your plant doesn't seem to be too underwatered or drooping because of it. It looks like it is reaching for the window so it all it's leaves are pointed in one direction. Then you did a rotate and the top most leaf tried to grow in the new opposite direction, and the spike is facing the opposite direction of the main foliage. Phals don't usually do all this light reaching unless light is somewhat limited, something windowsill growers have to face. I've had one plant do that to me and its the most light demanding phal I have

[Diane]

Poor Lily - have you gotten enough contradictory advice?? Just remember, you have to adjust the advice to your conditions. You may lose some buds this time, but the overall health of the plant is most important. If the plant is strong and happy, plenty of blooms will follow.

Good luck.

[Jimboborchid]

good advice. Just water every 5 days. Don't start watering more, that won't do any good.

[smartie2000]

I hope there isn't too much contradictory advice. I'm sure your buds will develop properly and be proud when they do, after all your work growing it. I'm sure it'll be pretty.

[GGordon]

From a rookie-
I have had 3 Phals for a couple of years and all have suceeded with the only growing knowledge I had up to a few months ago on orchids was what was on the label on their pots. I always let my Phals get fairly dry before re-watering. Not completely dry but very close. I never give them extra water when they are blooming or budding and they look quite nice and bloom very well. In the winter they catch several hours of direct sun and they are as dark green as yours. One has a little purple fringe around the leaves from all the sun and I reduced it's sun time. IMHO, I believe that your plants are getting too much water unless you are in a really warm dry climate. I have not (YET) read anywhere where you are to give them extra water when they have buds or flowers, but from my gardening experiences, too much water is never good when other plants are at that stage.-Just my thoughts and experiences.

Gordon