Why won't my Paphinia Majestic bloom?

[cb977]

The plant itself looks great. A few weeks ago, two buds started to form. Last week, one of them blasted and now the second one seems to be on it's way out.
I have it in a plastic basket with some sphag. I've read that they like it moist but not soggy which is what I've tried to accomplish. All was going so well and then....

What could have happened?

[LauraN]

Did you happen to move it once you noticed it was in bud? I've done that before and changed it's environment and then it will blast on me. I know that they like really high humidity also.
Or, it's just one of those unknown mysteries that happens in the orchid world, especially when you are waiting to see the pretty flowers

[isurus79]

Ive heard of Stanhopea buds getting killed from people watering the plant and then the buds rotting off. In fact, some Stanhopea sources recommend tilting the plant to the side when watering so that the buds never get wet. Im not sure how much I believe this because in the wild these flowers will be getting drenched all the time. Either way, this type of thing may have happened to your poor buds! I hope this helps!

[Paul]

Have you danced nekkid under the full moon and offered the requisite human sacrafice to the orchid gods?

I feel your pain [though I've had no issues with my paphinia]. To see buds just wither up and die is sooooooo frustrating! And its seems to take the silly buds so terribly long to mature!

Hadn't thought about the water on the buds issue but that shouldn't be a big prob unless they are staying wet. My guess, Sue, would be insufficient humidity.

On the plus side, it will probably respike in the not too distant future. Mine has bloomed I think 4 times now since I got it in March, and current is in double spike.

[cb977]

Hi Paul...thanks for the chuckle!

It wouldn't have been a water issue as I hand-mist everything and avoid buds and blooms I also can't imagine it being a humidity problem...here in Florida...in a semi-closed room where the humidity is kept at a pretty high level. I guess it's just another one of life's mysteries

Thank you for the good news on the posibility of it re-spiking I'll be dancing, maybe not nekkid but dancing none the less, when this baby shows me what it can really do

[cb977]

This one looks worse every day...just about time for the trash and buying a new one

[kavanaru]

my two cents, and I know it also sounds like the story of dancing naked under the full moon, but a friend of mine in Venezuela puts his hand on fire to the fact that his Paphinias are always kept very low and close to the ground. The reason for this is that these plants are supposed to grow ALWAYS at less than 3 feet above the ground in the forest. I can only confirm that all Paphinia cristatas I have seen in the wild grow that way (if the other do it too... dunno!) Anyway, my friend's plants are great and bloom regularly without any other problems but one of his macaws trying to eat them every time it manages to go into the green house...

[cb977]

Hi Ramon
Nice to see you

Okay, so when I get the new plant, do I dance naked under the full moon prior to placing the plant below 3 ft or after?

[LauraN]

As I understoon Ramon, you must put your hand in the fire first
then move the orchid, then dance naked under the full moon (preferably while in pigtails!)

[cb977]

Taking notes

Thanks Laura...what would I do without you?