'Hawaiian Illusion' Bloom death!

[lotis146]

I'm just curious here because I'm thinking that maybe I haven't made my Paph. 'Hawaiian Illusion' very happy. Around the beginning of this month its bloom finally opened. Then a week ago, maybe a bit longer, I noticed some discoloration on one of the petals, I didn't stress over it. But then a couple days later the other petal was also discolored. Not so slowly the pouch started to brown as well and Sunday the bloom finally fell off.

The rest of the plant seems to be okay but I'm really shocked how long it didn't last. I've had 'Pink Fred' since mid-March and its bloom was open by end of March. In the last couple weeks the oldest of the blooms (2 out of 4) have fallen off but the 4th has opened. I know that these are two completely different plants but I can't help but wonder what I did wrong here. Does anyone else here have experience with 'Hawaiian Illusion'? Have your blooms lasted about this long (couple weeks), more or less?

I'm wondering if maybe I don't water it enough. I've been watering them weekly by soaking them seeing as this has kept 'Pink Fred' fairly happy I stuck with this routine. But we did have a recent heat stroke if you will (over a week ago now) followed by a bit of a cold snap. My house stays pretty warm but I have let it shift more or less with the temperature by allowing the house to cool off and sometimes warm up.

Admittedly I will say that my collection of Orchids has grown exponentially so while I have a number of Paphs right now (and also my first Phrag) the one I've had the longest has not flowered since I got it last spring although it is slowly growing a new fan (which has grown the most in the last month). That one I know has suffered from underwatering since I got it. Now that it's the growing season and apparently Paph season as some members have alerted me to I'm wondering if I should be watering them twice weekly. Most of mine are in bark/perlite/rock mixes, rather chunky. The oldest one (also the smallest) I repotted in bark/moss mix with clay pebbles below its small root system but I think all the other guys dry faster than I realize.

So, exhale, sorry for being long-winded but from your experience who votes that 'Hawaiian Illusion' dropped its bloom due to natural senescence? Not enough water?

Thanks!

[Fairorchids]

Frequency of watering is hard to predict, not seeing plants every day.

Best guide is weight of the pot. Drench plants, and then lift one or two to feel their weight freshly watered. After a couple of days, start lifting the same pots; when they feel light, they need watering again.

At this time of year, you could easily be on a 3 day schedule.

---------- Post added at 04:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:55 PM ----------

As to the flower that faded quickly, some Paphs only last 2+ weeks. I believe that this hybrid should be 6-8 week range or more, so it is probably an environmental influence, possible combined with water on or in the flower simultaneously with a temperature drop.

[lotis146]

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

Frequency of watering is hard to predict, not seeing plants every day.

Best guide is weight of the pot. Drench plants, and then lift one or two to feel their weight freshly watered. After a couple of days, start lifting the same pots; when they feel light, they need watering again.

At this time of year, you could easily be on a 3 day schedule.

---------- Post added at 04:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:55 PM ----------

As to the flower that faded quickly, some Paphs only last 2+ weeks. I believe that this hybrid should be 6-8 week range or more, so it is probably an environmental influence, possible combined with water on or in the flower simultaneously with a temperature drop.

Thank you for that information. I suspected this was a bit of a premature death. I do think I'm not watering enough, especially as you point out that I could be up to three times a week. I've seen in more than one place that 2 is a minimum. I think I just got too comfortable with my routine and 'Pink Fred' seemed happy enough as does my other hybrid, but then again the latter could be happier I'm sure (oh and it has some moss to hold moisture). By the time I do water the Paphs they are definitely very light. That's what had me suspecting I'm underwatering, I've never picked one up and thought ope, not yet. I am honestly glad to have taught myself this lesson through error by losing only one flower instead of dehydrated leaves, plants, and multiple flower losses as i currently have Paph. 'President Fred' in bud (should be about a week or two now) & Phrag. Olaf Gruss in bud. I also have Odette's Vision & Lebaudyanum that aren't in bud or spike but have several new growths, maybe if I treat everybody right they'll reward me! And of course hoping last years Paph's new growth will pick up speed!

Thanks again for your help. I am glad I got to see 'Hawaiian Illusion' at all!

[NYCorchidman]

Or did this plant experience too much heat??

Heat can really shorten up the bloom life span.
Although not of the same plant, but my maudiae hybrid that usually last good 3 months in bloom will only last last about one month when the bloom occurs in the heat of summer.

[lotis146]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Or did this plant experience too much heat??

Heat can really shorten up the bloom life span.
Although not of the same plant, but my maudiae hybrid that usually last good 3 months in bloom will only last last about one month when the bloom occurs in the heat of summer.

Ohhhh, very interesting. It could have, it was pretty warm around here. Makes me nervous seeing as my 'President Fred' is almost open.

[NYCorchidman]

Keep your plant away from the heat, i.e. sunny window and heat area, add more shade or open the window or get the fan going...many things you can do to help plants deal with heat better.