Bud Blast :( - Page 2 - Orchid Board

butterfly_muse · #11 02-23-2014, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

I don't think it's a humidity issue...
In my climate, daytime humidity is often much lower.

Just to be sure, I'd move it farther from the heat vent, or block that side of the plant from the possibility if air blowing on it.

Are these in a window? If so, how cold has it been outside?

They are not in a window, our windows are sucky and very very drafty and cold. It has been in the teens-twenties here with snow for weeks. They are ~3 feet to the side of and ~4 feet above a heat vent. And probably ~3-4 feet from the windows, but we have thermal lined curtains on the windows.

---------- Post added at 04:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:40 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by james mickelso

I have never had any problems with low humidities blasting buds on any of my orchids. It gets downright deserty here at the coast in the winter with the santa anas. Down into the single digits for a couple days. I have had bud blast when I water them at lower temps. I know excess nitrogen relative to P and K also blast buds. If you look down into the junction of the flower stems and spike you will see a whitish material. Very, very small in the larval or nymph stage. Are your roots ok? As I said, when you water the temperature in the media at the roots drops quite a bit. Especially if the ambient air temps are low or the humidity is low. Just a thought.

I don't see anything like what you described on any of my plants (as far as bugs go). The roots on the one guy are awesome, he's going insane with his roots everywhere. The other guy doesn't have as strong of a root system, but he still has plenty that are good and viable. They are nice and thick, too. The one with less roots is the one with only one spike, and the one with the crazy awesome roots has 3 spikes.

AnonYMouse · #12 02-23-2014, 05:45 PM

Move them to another location and see if that stops the bud blast. A bright warm kitchen or bathroom, a side table under a lamp (search CFLs and LEDs). Get a heatmat if you don't have a warm area.

james mickelso · #13 02-23-2014, 05:48 PM

Hmmm. Well those are the most common cause of bud blast that I know of. Rapid temp swings ate the roots, excess ratio of N to PK. Too much water to the roots. And bugs. Oh and the other is ripening fruit nearby. One more thought. Is your home heated with natural gas? That is a sure fire way to blast buds. Carbon monoxide. If there is even the slightest hint of CO in the vented air that would blast them for sure. Hmmmm.

butterfly_muse · #14 02-23-2014, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james mickelso

Hmmm. Well those are the most common cause of bud blast that I know of. Rapid temp swings ate the roots, excess ratio of N to PK. Too much water to the roots. And bugs. Oh and the other is ripening fruit nearby. One more thought. Is your home heated with natural gas? That is a sure fire way to blast buds. Carbon monoxide. If there is even the slightest hint of CO in the vented air that would blast them for sure. Hmmmm.

Yes, we have a gas furnace.

WhiteRabbit · #15 02-23-2014, 05:56 PM

Try moving it farther from the heat vent, and see how that goes.

I doubt a gas furnace itself is the problem; I have one; many people do.

butterfly_muse · #16 02-23-2014, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Try moving it farther from the heat vent, and see how that goes.

I doubt a gas furnace itself is the problem; I have one; many people do.

Alright, I'll move the orchids around a bit and see what happens. Thanks!

WhiteRabbit · #17 02-23-2014, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterfly_muse

Alright, I'll move the orchids around a bit and see what happens. Thanks!

Also make sure you aren't wetting buds with misting.

Hopefully, moving away from heat will help - as it doesn't sound like anything else is likely to be the cause.

Good luck! Let us know how things go!

james mickelso · #18 02-23-2014, 06:10 PM

Gas heat is not a problem as long as there is no leakage of carbon monoxide as even a very small amount will blast buds. AOS had some very good articles in the late 80's and early 90's about leaking greenhouse gas heaters causing bud blast. The amount wouldn't hurt us in the least but apparently it will blast buds big time. I agree that moving them to another location would be good.