Dying spikes

[cerobbins]

I seem to be having a problem getting my orchids to flower. I have had orchids for a bit over a year now. A phrag and an oncidium I have both went into spike and produced buds. However, eventually the spike and the buds wilted and turned brown. I am not sure why this continues to happen. I water once weekly by sitting the pot in a water fertilizer mix. Once the orchid spikes I do not fertilize anymore. The orchids are planted in a medium bark, and are dry before watering. Can someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Too many reasons.

Is there a way to post pics?

How are the roots?

What's the humidity?

What are the temperatures like?

How about lighting?

How dark are the leaves?

Again, pics as well as a better description of the essential growing parameters gives people a better idea of what you could do to make adjustments.

[cerobbins]

Okay it will be a couple days but i will grab some pictures and post them.

The roots on both plants appear to be doing well and I don't see any obvious sings of rotting. The oncidium and phrag both continue to produce new bulbs/rizomes (I can't remember the correct term).

There conditions have varried a bit since I have been moving. They were previously inside sitting by a south facing window without any direct HVAC blowing on them.

I am just confused as like I said the plants themselves continue to grow, but the flowers just seem to die. Again I will get some pictures up as soon as possible.

[jeffg]

Sounds like the buds came, then "blasted" - where they stop maturing and turn brown, wither, and finally drop. I have had this happen, and have learned it is usually a change in environment, (greenhouse to my house), or a change in location within the house. I have also heard that even the most minute amount of propane gas (ie stove burners before they ignite) can do this.

[cerobbins]

Originally Posted by jeffg

Sounds like the buds came, then "blasted" - where they stop maturing and turn brown, wither, and finally drop. I have had this happen, and have learned it is usually a change in environment, (greenhouse to my house), or a change in location within the house. I have also heard that even the most minute amount of propane gas (ie stove burners before they ignite) can do this.

That sounds like exactly what is happening. These plants would spike, and then I would move them so that others could enjoy the flowers. I put them in very similar conditions, but maybe the move is just too much. I do not have propane other than an outdoor grill so that should not be the source. I will try not to move a plant the next time one goes into spike and see if that stops the "blasting"

Just for future reference do most people continue to fertilize their orchids when they are flowering or not? I always stop fertilizing when they go into spike.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by cerobbins

Just for future reference do most people continue to fertilize their orchids when they are flowering or not? I always stop fertilizing when they go into spike.

I do. But it also depends on the plant. There are dormancy issues for some of my plants, so I can't fertilize and water year round.

[Cym Ladye]

When Cymbidiums are in bloom, they are also in growth mode, so it is imperative to continue fertilizing at that time. Most Cymbidium growers fertilize all year long with perhaps a change of fertilizer ratios at different times of the year.

CL