Prosthechea radiata bloom may be dying...help!

[dlkc]

Hi,

I'm new to orchid growing and recently bought some flasks, but to encourage myself I bought a prosthechea radiata with buds so that I could have an orchid in bloom sooner.

I have placed this little plant in a home made humidity tray (picture attached) and I have tried to keep it evenly moist. It is in a well lit room with lots of windows but not near the windowsill.

Initially I was really excited about the lightening bud, it changed from green to a cream colour. But now, the tip of the bud has darkened to a light brownish colour. (See picture below).

Is this normal or do I have a black orchid thumb?!

If it is not normal, are there any tips so that the other 3 buds will bloom?

Thanks in advance!

Danielle

[PaphMadMan]

The plant looks healthy. You may be losing one bud but the others look good and there is no reason they can't continue to develop normally. Sometimes a bud might fail because it was bumped even though damage may not be visible, or just because conditions changed at a sensitive time. I think you'll be enjoying those other three flowers soon.

[trdyl]

Danielle, Welcome to OB!

I love the fragrance of this species. You really need to grow this one like a Cattleya. After watering you let it dry out. Evenly moist is not good. Here is a link to a culture sheet.

AOS | Cattleya

[dlkc]

Hi again!

Thanks PaphMadMan for the encouragement. The other blooms seem to be lightening like the photos of flowers I have seen on this plant.

Ted, thanks for the info. I read the Cattleya sheet and have now left my little plant to dry out a bit.

Thanks again for the help!

Danielle

[jeffg]

I dont have this plant, but have had buds "blast" once home. I have heard several explanations: change in humidity from GH to my house, temp change, and lastly, minute amounts of propane emitted from our kitchen gas burners - apparently even the tiny amount that escapes as the burner ignites can usher the bud to blast.

Hope the other 3 bring joy...

[dlkc]

Thanks Jeffg!

I had been feeling like my gass fireplace was a bit hotter than it should be, so I turned it off as I lost another bud a few days ago. There are only two left, but they are starting to unfold flowers!

Thanks again!

Danielle