Top blooms/buds falling off

[gemma]

I just got a store bought phal last week for my birthday. My plant has 2 spikes and when I got the plant there were 9 total blooms with 3 buds. Since then (less than a week) all the buds and the 2 newer blooms have fallen off. The older blooms, there are 4 on 1 spike and 3 on the other, are still fine. The leaves are also a rich green color and seem to be doing fine as well.

I've been reading some threads and I know over-watering is the fastest way to kill your orchid. I haven't over watered it. The side roots are still fairly green, and the ones on top are starting to turn a pale/grey green.

I read a thread that said that sometimes store bought orchids have a medium that is too tightly packed around the roots which won't allow the plant to grow. Mine is planted in bark. I've re-potted the plant, loosening the bark around the roots to give them more space. I also checked on the inner root to see if there was any rot. There wasn't. It was a pale color but looked healthy.

My last thought is that my phal is adapting to it's new environment. It sits on my desk at work. The walls of my office are windows allowing indirect sunlight throughout the day, but never directly on the plant.

Any thoughts of what else I can do?! I really want to save it. Sorry I don't have any pictures. I didn't have a chance to upload any. Thanks!

[Kailyn]

I'm no expert but look up Bud blast it sounds like what might be happening. If thats the case the bad news is you might lose your flowers but the good news is if you take care of the plant it will bloom again. hope this helps

[EricaMarie]

I would probably say its just adjusting. Sometimes repotting them will cause it to drop flowers and buds. Also a temperature change can. If the roots and leaves look good I wouldnt worry. The pale roots in the center are just ones not exposed to light. As long as they are still firm they are fine. You will just have to wait until the next blooming season for flowers. Sounds like overall it is doing fine.

[WhiteRabbit]

Very likely just due to a change in environment.

[digriz]

Yeah, sometimes they don't like being moved to new conditions. It should adjust to the new conditions and so long as you take care of it, it should do well. You just will have to wait a while for blooms.
I would recommend a humidity tray as I'm guessing Salt Lake is pretty dry.

[gemma]

Yeah, salt Lake is a desert what's the best way to do a humidity tray?

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[digriz]

Most fill a tray with rocks and the put water in it and put their orchids over it.

[gemma]

Does it need to be a pot that drains? So the moisture can come up through the bottom? Or is it enough to have it around the outside?

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[digriz]

The pot shouldn't be sitting in water, the rocks in the water act to increase the surface area for the water to evaporate and thus increase the humidity around the orchids. The orchid shouldn't be getting any water from this except via the air.