Yellowing buds - Bud Blast?? - Orchid Board

Celtic100 · #1 04-23-2012, 11:32 AM

3 year old catt - brought into bloom once in june 2010 after purchase in Feb 2009. New England area. Resides in bathroom - cool nights - warm days - morning sun (east window) - good light all afternoon but not sun - in 2011 spike shot up and buds turned yellow. Now in 2012 same thing is happening. Leaves are very healthy - no black spots or other "diseasey" things. I water about every 12-14 days year round - I was told that the brown surface roots were caused by over watering so went from every 8 days to current schedule. I do not provide humidity as in misting. Would that help with this situation?? I also moved it from southwest location to east window before the buds developed but the spike had developed. Any thought would be appreciated. Thanks very much. Have attached pict -

Call_Me_Bob · #2 04-23-2012, 11:46 AM

The buds look happy and healthy to me!

Celtic100 · #3 04-23-2012, 12:15 PM

Thanks - I uploaded the wrong one - that one is from the 21st - this one is from today - in just two days, totally downhill!!! This pict should show that. Should I cut the yellowing one off to give the stronger one more energy??

WhiteRabbit · #4 04-23-2012, 04:16 PM

I don't know that cutting the blasting bud will have any effect on the other - it will probably drop off in a few days. I doubt your moving it had anything to do with it. It just happens sometimes.

a suggestion about watering (I don't think watering schedule was a cause of the blast, but just thought I'd mention this)- it may be different in your climate, but my watering frequency can vary quite a bit from summer to winter, and even vary within the seasons depending on the weather (temp and humidity changes) - I use skewers (bamboo skewers for kabobs) in my orchid pots to help determine when to water. Gently twist the skewer into the media (about mid-way between center of pot and rim, or as close to center as you can). To check, remove the skewer and touch it to your cheek or upper lip - it it feels moist, or even just slightly cool, there is moisture in the pot. I generally allow most Catt types to be completely dry before watering (tho occasionally watering a bit before then, but not regularly before then - doesn't seem to hurt, especially in hot dry weather) - after checking, replace the skewer into the same spot you removed it from. Takes the guess work out of when to water. After a little while, you get an idea of how often you should check. Tho, changes in seasons and weather do make a difference, so if weather becomes warmer and/or drier, you may want to check a bit more often. If it is quite cold in winter where you live, the indoor heat going will cause more rapid drying despite perhaps cold, damp weather outdoors.

I just have found my orchids have done better since I began using skewers, rather than watering on a fixed schedule. I have a 'loose' schedule, but some do need to be watered more often than others, and I have in my mind an idea of how often to check particular ones inbetween the weekly watering (and in winter, for me, some may need to go a bit longer than a week inbetween watering.

Bud · #5 04-23-2012, 05:16 PM

bathroom humidity can vary from building to building...mine is humid everytime I shower then turns dry all night; so I invested in a humidifier and a humidity/temperature battery operated reader...you may water it when media is dry...8 days or 14 days is not accurate, learn the skewer method...if dehydrated the buds will blast... its best not to move the plant when in spike...I only move it to my dining table as a centerpice when its fully bloomed.

Celtic100 · #6 04-23-2012, 05:18 PM

Thank you so much for your thorough answer. Actually, I do use the skewer trick so my watering will vary somewhat based on my results with that. Generally, it is at least 12 days. It gives me comfort to hear that such an experienced grower as yourself uses such a rudimentary process and it works!! It sounds like you don't think my watering schedule is totally at fault - perhaps it is my lack of misting in my somewhat dry house. I think the east window exposure is good and has helped it to get at least one healthy bud - do you think that it will get past this stage?? I have always worried that my long durations between waterings was too extreme - but in checking the skewer results, that many days always seem to come up. What are your thoughts about bud blast - is it more a case of overwatering rather than underwatering?? I know many factors contribute to B.B. so it's not easy to diagnose. At any rate, I do appreciate your input and thoughts. Thanks again. Celtic

Bud · #7 04-23-2012, 05:26 PM

instead of misting try running the hot shower before you sleep just when you see the mirrors steam then turn it off...I think that would be just enough humidity for the night...my largest vanda is hanging at the center of my bathroom window and it never fails to bloom for me...my mini bulbos also hang beside it

Celtic100 · #8 01-20-2013, 11:56 AM

From Sonya- I doubt your moving it had anything to do with it. It just happens sometimes. I believe this is true as last summer (after the earlier bud blast), this catt which was outside and was moved frequently to the inside of house, due to extreme weather conditions, gave me the following lovely blooms. It is now setting up another bud which looks like the one with the bud blast. I am beginning to think it is too cool in my house during the day (winter)- typically around 68. It really loved the high temps and humidity of last summer so it bloomed nicely. I am trying another method - it is in a warm sunny spot in a plastic see-through container and I am misting it while in there. During the day in that location the temps inside the container reach 75. At night temps drop to 55 so that is ok I think.

tucker85 · #9 01-20-2013, 12:10 PM

You might be right about the temperature. Temperature is one of the most common causes of bud blast although there are many other causes also. It also depends on the individual plant. I have some cattleyas that are very susceptible to bud blast when the conditions aren't exactly right and I have others that will bloom no matter what happens to them. Bud blast is something that even the best growers experience.

camille1585 · #10 01-20-2013, 12:48 PM

I was also going to suggest temperature as a possible issue. Being a bathroom it's going to have everything from the cool nights as you say, to steamy warmth after someone showers.

I have a mini catt that blasted on 2 different growths. When the 3rd new lead started a sheath, it occured to me that maybe there was too much of a temp variation where it was (on a windowsill, where it gets chilly at night). I moved it somewhere else, and so far the buds are developing well. And as Tucker says, some plants are just super susceptible and seemingly blast for no reason. I have a Phal that blasts if I move it out from under the lights to a table right next to it, to enjoy the blooms.