Can I have some sympathy please?

[magicatt]

Two years ago ALL of my phallies burst with blooms. The colors of the rainbow cheering up my plant stand.

Last year, no spikes, no blooms, nothing.

This year spikes everywhere BUT all the buds have blasted. I only have two buds on my sogo grape and four on a noid. The rest are history.

They are in the exact same window, get the same sun, same water...WTH?

It is enough to depress someone. Anyone else ever have this happen?

[cbuchman]

I feel your pain. I had the worst of luck with Phals until I did 2 things
1. I reported in 1/2 sphag and 1/2 bark. They come in packed sphag from the store and they were rotting to some degree.
2. I got a seedling mat. My space was a little too cold and the seedling mat was just enough warmth to the roots to make them happy.

I don't have 100 percent success, but at least its not 100% failure! I have several that spiked and bloomed. Typically bud blast is due to temp variation or direct breezes. .

[WhiteRabbit]

Dang ... that's rough

Sudden change in temps?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

It's either temperature or humidity related. Please check these and see what's going on with them.

I'd monitor what's going on within a 1 - 2 week period.

[quiltergal]

Do you have any ripe fruit nearby? Ethylene gas from the ripening fruit will cause bud blast.

[Leafmite]

I understand your disappointment! A few of my smaller orchids lost their blooms to dreaded scale. This summer, I plan to hit my orchids with malathion so I don't lose the next batch. Drafts, insects, incorrect watering, dry air...flowers are delicate. I hope you figure out what happened for next time!