Bud Blast - Orchid Board

esungirl · #1 11-08-2006, 10:43 PM

I was glancing through the glossary and found the term "bud blast" I've had a cymbidium do this twice. I did not change anything. The spike grew to full length until it was time for the buds to develop, then the top shirveled up and fell off. This last time it was inside my house. And my Phal. pulcherrima bloomed but I lost a ratio of 1-2 buds for 2-3 blooms. I watered and fed it with a high bloom fert. but it was a weak dilution. Could this be the problem? But what about the Cym.?

Erin

Ross · #2 11-08-2006, 10:53 PM

Don't know for sure without more info, but in my experience, bud blast is usually due to one of a few causes. Could be water related - if you change watering regime while the buds are developing (least likely). Humidity, if the moisture is too dry the buds may blast. Light - if the light is too bright while buds are developing they might blast. I'd suspect moisture or humidity first in my opinion.

esungirl · #3 11-09-2006, 10:08 PM

Thanks I'll have to pay more attention to the climate in the house, I think that has been the problem, maybe humitdity too.

Ross · #4 11-09-2006, 10:19 PM

FWIW, I haven't had any bud blast since I started keeping light under control and humidity as high as I can reasonably keep it - with spraying, etc. I move plants with large buds away from bright sun, but still in high light (south window - no direct sun).

justatypn · #5 11-09-2006, 11:00 PM

It's a process of elimination when it comes to bud blast....caused when the orchids undergo different types of stress. Here are some of the specific causes of this...low humidity, hot air from furnaces or cool, dry air from a/c directly blowing on the orchid plant, over or under-watering, poor root development, temperatures that are too high or too low, water standing in the buds or bud sheaths, dramatic change in the orchids' environment, like bringing the plants from out-side to inside, natural gas leaks in the house, ethylene gas from ripened fruit, light that's too bright on the developing flowers buds, pollution, such as smog.

Marco · #6 11-10-2006, 12:43 PM

I think any drastic change in culture..environment, fertilizer, water, light, temp. Could cause bud blast

esungirl · #7 11-11-2006, 11:30 PM

Thanks all. I thinnk it is and temp/humidity issue. We just moved to paso last year and keep the windows open in the sping which temps can have a 40 degree variance in the high and low. I'll move it to my bathroom when it starts spiking it seems to be the best light/temp regulated room in the house.
Thanks,
Erin

wallyworld · #8 11-11-2006, 11:34 PM

I think Marco is right, I found that any physical change that happens can affect blooms. When my vandas are budding, I do not move them no matter what. I found if I changed the lighting on which side of the plant gets most of the light, the bud would usually blast.

Oscarman · #9 11-12-2006, 02:57 PM

Hey guys, I have another one to add to the list of bud blast causes.........

Using vegetable cooking spray near orchids in flower. I always have a couple of orchids in flower in my kitchen bay window. Each time I use the spray in that end of the kitchen....I experience random bud blast!

orchidbuddies · #10 01-01-2007, 02:09 PM

I put my orchids in my new greenhouse. I have a space heater that is set to keep the temperature correct. I have been watering and then today I have noticed water blisters on the leaves. They are hard but if you pop them, they bust and water is release, sort of as if they were burnt. The plants sit on the shelves in the green house and the heater is on the floor. Am not sure what is going on. I do live in central South Carolina. Please help!!