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pembroke_gw

buds falling off

11 years ago

My wife received a ice cube orchid and the buds that have formed are falling off. The blooms look great. She waters as the directions says. She has printed off lots of helpful hints from the orchid society and is trying to go by them to keep plant healthy. The roots look green as they're supposed to. Any helpful hints to why buds are falling off and how to keep from happening again are appreciated. Thanks. Pembroke

Comments (8)

  • 11 years ago

    Hey there,

    Could be that its just acclimating to new environment. I'm assuming it was already in bud when you received it? Where do you have the plant? Inside window I assume? Watering with ice cubes is probably not your best bet. Post a picture of the plant for us and we'll take a look. Since its most likely potted in sphagnum moss, you need to be careful not to over water and rot the roots. The buds could also be blasting due to being overly dry. If the roots are nice and green though, that usually means it has enough water.

    Generally speaking though, when you buy a phal from a store or nursery, you will only have the flowers for a week or two. Your next flower spike should produce longer lasting flowers as it will be more adjusted to your growing environment.

    Dont over think these plants, they really aren't very difficult once you understand them. Stick them in a bright window with filtered light (eastern exposure or filtered southern exposure). Being indoors, winter time in KY, I suspect it will need watered every 5-7 days depending on how tightly packed that moss is in there. Remember, if the moss is crunchy and dry, water thoroughly with room temp water. If the moss is still moist and roots are green, wait another couple days. Over watering is the number one cause of death for these plants!

    Send us a pick of the plant and the potting mix.

    Good luck!

    This post was edited by Calzoner on Fri, Oct 24, 14 at 9:56

  • 11 years ago

    have had the plant about a month and temp is same in house. I have African Violets with artificial light and the orchid is on floor with light shining on it for about 12 hrs. Wife waters it every Friday 1/4 cup of room temp (about 75 degrees) water. I hope pictures will help. Pembroke.

  • 11 years ago

    I don't know how to post more than 1 pic at a time so look at the next coupe of post by pembroke

  • 11 years ago

    more. Pembroke

  • 11 years ago

    more pic

  • 11 years ago

    last. If you need more tell me and I'll try to get them here. Pembroke

  • 11 years ago

    When Phals abort their buds the reasons are usually either cold or lack of moisture.

    When you water it do you just pour it through or do you soak the pot for a short while to allow the water to permeate the potting mix?
    The "frosting" on the pieces of your potting mix tend to make me think that salts are building up in the mix.
    The pot needs to be flushed periodically to remove that buildup.
    What is the condition of the potting mix?
    Is it getting old and in need of replacement?
    Are the bark pieces hard and firm or are they soft and crumbly?
    From your photos, the roots do not look to be in very good condition.
    That could be due to old potting mix and affect the plant's ability to take up water.
    Usually they should be white when dry and turn greenish when wetted.
    Is it located near a draft from an outside door where it can get cold drafts, or near a heat vent where it can get dessicated from the dry low humidity air?

    That aught to get you started in getting this problem fixed.
    Others chime in too.
    I'm not real consistent in checking back through here.

    This post was edited by solo_voyager on Fri, Oct 24, 14 at 15:42

  • 11 years ago

    It could be the photo quality but those leaves look to be a bit too green. A bit flaccid too.
    But the flowers look OK.
    Maybe slightly more light is required. Read Some of the old Phalaenopsis threads here. Consult Doctor Google and look at Photo images and compare your plant leaves with those on heathy Phals.

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