Dendrobium Phal buds failing to mature

[FranningtonBear]

I purchased this Dend. Phal. in May 2023 from a large UK DIY store, she was in bloom at the time and whilst still flowering she produced a new cane, it happens to be the one in question.
As you may be able to see, this cane, the one mentioned already as spiked, bloomed and now produced a second spike with 6 buds. Two buds still look great but four have failed.
Has anyone else experienced this? She has also produced a further two canes (3 new ones since purchase!) which are both starting to spike. I would like to try and prevent the same happening with these blooms if possible!

I am a novice (7 years), windowsill grower with a small collection of 12 orchids and have never seen anything like this on my others - a mix of Phals, Dends, Oncidiums and a Cattleya hybrid.

[Roberta]

The plant looks very good!. As far as the new spike goes, some factors to think about that might have caused those buds to blast. Could just be resources - it might not have the reserves to keep a second spike going, on a young plant. Or, cold drafts can do that. Or exposure to ethylene gas - from ripening fruit or a gas stove.

Just keep the plant well watered, plenty of light (needs more than a Phalaenopsis does, more like Cattleya light) . And watch what it does.

[FranningtonBear]

Thank you Roberta, two things spring to mind.

Firstly, around Oct/Nov time I, as I now know, mistakenly put this plant onto my winter rest shelf with my Dendrobium Nobile. She was excluded from my regular feeding and watering routine for, probably around 6 weeks before learning the error of my ways!
Secondly, she does live in my kitchen with fruit and a gas hob - bad Orchid mum!

So helpful, thank you.

[Roberta]

The gas stove emissions are subtle... something nobody thinks about. And bananas??? But yes, they can be the culprit too. So I think that if you can move the plant out of the kitchen when it's in spike (probably not a problem until then) , and keep it watered (this type of Den doesn't want to dry out) the new spikes will do fine.

[estación seca]

Dendrobium phal. hybrids prefer being warm and well watered throughout the year.