New to Orchids: I have a phaelanthopis with shriveling buds!

[lkwarren]

Hi, I have two phaelanthopis orchids for about a year now. I have had them both re-bloom once, thus far. Since the first two did so well, I recently decided to buy a 3rd, which had blooms on it as well as flowers. The flowers still look great, however the blooms shriveled and fell off once I had it home for about a week... any suggestions to what happened?

[Skirril]

The buds blasting (shrivelling and falling off) can happen for a few reasons, but on a newly purchased plant I wouldn't think it's anything to worry about, where you got it it probably didn't have the best conditions, or it was upset about the change of conditions at some point. Now you have it home it should be just fine, treat it like you treat the others. When I buy new orchids in bud they often have a couple which blast.

[Merlyn]

Skirril is right, buds are a very sensitive part of the orchid. They can blast at the drop of a hat but usually it's a change in environment or culture that does it.

[Zoi2]

Hello and welcome to the OB.
Joann

[RosieC]

Welcome, I agree with the comments above, phal buds can easily blast from changes in conditions, such as the different light/temps in your house compared to the shop/nursery. It's quite common for this to happen.

The other thing to check though is the roots. Dying roots can also cause it and that's more of a problem. Can you see the roots through the pot, how do they look?