Phrag. Eric Young - flower spike showing signs of shriveling. Help! - Orchid Board

AndreaK · #1 10-08-2015, 10:23 AM

I need help answering the question, "Why is it shriveling again?". This orchid has tried to bloom for several years in my care, four to be exact. The first two years I thought I understood what went wrong, inadequate watering due to our going on vacation. The following year I am certain of the cause of the demise of the flower spike: kids + rough housing = orchid hit the floor! This year I have been diligent about keeping it moist. As you can see in the pictures the stem has started to wrinkle yet again. The first two years it proceeded to dry out and die off. So far it has not progressed beyond the wrinkling at the time of the picture. I am desperately wanting to see this plant bloom. Any suggestions will be well received.

estación seca · #2 10-08-2015, 11:45 PM

Did you just move it from outside to inside? What is the current humidity around it?

AndreaK · #3 10-08-2015, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estación seca

Did you just move it from outside to inside? What is the current humidity around it?

It is in the same location it is always in, on the inner part of a table in a south facing window. It receives dappled sun through the blinds and the other plants. Humidity ranges from 50% to 70%. I mist several times daily with RO water. The windows have been open so high temps. have been mid to upper 70's (F) with lows in the mid to upper 50's.

orchidsarefun · #4 10-09-2015, 12:23 AM

the only things I can think of-
- I don't mist any of my phrags, maybe that's having an impact ?
- My temps don't get below 65f when they are budding
- Maybe contact a phrag Eric Young seller and ask if this is a typical trait for this hybrid ? For example - on temps - this seller has the plant listed as a 'warm' grower. Mid to upper 50s may be too cold when its budding.
Phragmipedium Eric Young

AndreaK · #5 10-09-2015, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

the only things I can think of-
- I don't mist any of my phrags, maybe that's having an impact ?
- My temps don't get below 65f when they are budding
- Maybe contact a phrag Eric Young seller and ask if this is a typical trait for this hybrid ? For example - on temps - this seller has the plant listed as a 'warm' grower. Mid to upper 50s may be too cold when its budding.
Phragmipedium Eric Young

Thanks for the information. My grower has it listed as warm to intermediate. This is the first year that I have opened the windows in the orchid room to give the orchids a larger day/night differential. I can just close the window at night and the night temps. will be closer to 65°F. Unfortunately I am not certain this is the cause since I have had problems for several years and this is the first year the window was open. It is a variable that can easily be adjusted though and its something I can do. I may try contacting the grower and asking, thanks for the suggestion.

silken · #6 10-09-2015, 10:27 AM

When you say you keep it moist, how moist are you referring to? Many people keep their Phrags standing in an inch of water or grow them semi/hydroponically. I have a besseae cross and it is always in standing water. It should be replaced often and lots of water flushed through the pot. Potting material needs to be quite water retentive to keep it good and moist thru the pot, not just at the bottom. The other parent of this plant (longifolium) also likes a lot of water. OrchidWiz says the rainfall pattern is wet and wetter in its natural habitat!

AndreaK · #7 10-09-2015, 11:02 AM

It is planted in osmunda in a clear, plastic pot. That pot sits in a ceramic pot which holds water at the bottom continually. I spray the top of the media daily, until very moist. The excess water in the pot is changed every couple of days to keep it fresh. When I water, I check to make certain the osmunda within the pot is damp as well. By slightly squeezing the clear pot you can see the moisture come to the surface on the side of the pot. It is in need of repotting as you can see in the pictures.

silken · #8 10-09-2015, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndreaK

It is planted in osmunda in a clear, plastic pot. That pot sits in a ceramic pot which holds water at the bottom continually. I spray the top of the media daily, until very moist. The excess water in the pot is changed every couple of days to keep it fresh. When I water, I check to make certain the osmunda within the pot is damp as well. By slightly squeezing the clear pot you can see the moisture come to the surface on the side of the pot. It is in need of repotting; I have pictures of the roots but the website is not letting me upload them right now. I will try again momentarily.

Well, it sounds like amount of water isn't the issue. Good luck with getting it to bloom.