Orchid drying up!

[char]

Hello!
I got an orchid as a present from my boyfriend. The plant travelled in a box and arrived fine. It had some bloomed flowers and some nice buds ready to bloom at the right time. I had it in my room (probably a bit too work and not too humid). As I received it I put some water in it and drained the excess water after (I thought it needed water after the trip). Some days later, some of the buds started to dry out and fall. Now, most of them are dried and about to fall of the plant. I kept putting water but a friend told me to stop putting water in it and to make sure there was a right humidity in my room. I read orchids need 50-70% humidity - my room is probably a bit too dry then. Then I realised it may not be getting enough light (I live in Scotland and probably theres not enough sunshine coming through the window). I then moved it to the kitchen, however, I dont know how to reanimate the dry buds. What would you recommend? Did this happen to any of you before?

Char

[camille1585]

Hi Char, Welcome to OrchidBoard!

I don't think you are doing anything wrong. The buds blasted, which happens to many people's new orchids. Buds are very sensitive to changes in their environment. Just the change in conditions between the store and your home might shock the plant a little, and the buds blast. Or it didn't like the cold temperatures during traveling, depending how long it stayed in the box.
So, the point is, there is nothing you can do. Maybe 1 or 2 of the buds will survive. In any case, with good care you should see a new spike in the future.

Do you know what kind of orchid it is or have a picture? Then we can tell you how to take care of it!

[priz_m]

Hi Char, welcome to the OB, I agree with Camille, bud blast is definitely not unusual, and a pic is always welcome

[char]

Hello!

Many thanks for the replies. So according to the box (I am no expert as you can see ) it is a twin stem PHALAENOPSIS orchid and it's purple. Does that ring a bell?

[camille1585]

Phalaenopsis is the most common orchid around and the buds blast quite easily on them.
As for care, being in Scotland it would be good to put it in a south facing window (or west facing) to make sure it gets enough light, especially at this time of year.

If the phal is in a clear plastic pot, water it when the roots look silvery-white. Green roots means that the plant has enough moisture. What is it potted in? If it is in moss, be careful, it's very easy to overwater, so repotting in a bark based medium would be a good idea. You should fertilize with an orchid fertilizer at almost every watering too.

As for humidity, if you are concerned that yours is too low (although phals can withstand 45-50% easily) you can place the plant on a tray of pebbles with water. Just be sure that the pot is not sitting in the water!!

If all the buds are gone now, you can try to cut the stem right below where the first flower was. Sometimes this will stimulate the plant to go a new stem on the existing stem. However if the stem goes brown or yellow, you can cut it off at the base, it won't do anything more.

Good luck with your plant, don't hesitate if you have more questions!