Dendrobium Kingianum buds not opening, going brown

[estación seca]

Thrips are so small most people can't see them unless they're moving. It only takes a few to damage a spike, so a lot of people never see them. If you look up thrips damage on orchids you will probably find good photos to compare with your plant.

They damage other plants as well. Citrus are known susceptible; the bugs damage developing leaves, which turn out twisted and deformed.

[aliceinwl]

I had heard D. kingianum bloomed better if kept drier over the winter so the year before last I did. My plant did the exact same thing. Although otherwise looking healthy, the buds browned and dropped before opening (it did put out a good number of spikes); I didn’t get a single flower. This year, I watered through the winter and buds are now starting to open with no browning or flower drop. It seems like allowing it to get big enough to get pot bound has been the key to good flowering. Is there any chance yours got a bit too dry at some point?

[monica117]

Originally Posted by humphret

I have a well looked after and well established Dendrobium Kingianum I bought from a nursery 3 years ago. The problem is that there are many buds, but they never get further than the buds before they go brown and never open. One even got as far as a stem and the flower never developed.

It is in a light place and looks healthy otherwise. I water it once a week. I am not sure what I am doing wrong.

I am trying to attach photos, but having a nightmare!!

I'm just finding your post now, 4 years later, and I hope I'm replying correctly.

Just curious if you ever figured out the issue with your Kingianum. I purchased one last year, and shortly after I was excited to see a spike forming. However, a few weeks later I noticed that the developing buds (which were still really small) were turning brown. I just wrote it off that it was acclimating to the new environment.

Now, 6 months later a new spike was forming and I am keeping a close eye on. Darn if the same thing is not happening again!

I read through the comments you received, and one person said less water in the winter. I don't water heavily, and the flowers browning would make me "think" that it was too dry. Another person said they water more. So, I am back at square one wondering if it's too much water or not enough.

The only thing I haven't done is a repot. Maybe I'll do that. What have I got to lose?

[estación seca]

It's fine to water them in winter. It does not inhibit flowering, nor damage the plants at all. Just don't fertilize after late Summer. Bud drop can be caused by not enough water, too low humidity, too high temperatures and thrips insect damage. Familiarize yourself with thrips. They may damage buds long before the damage is visible. Thrips may damage buds on many different genera of orchids.