Tetrapsis striped Phal - constant bud blast?

[bunnylotus]

Howdy everyone,

I bought this Tetrapsis phal in April for my birthday because it is one of my favorite orchids - had to have it - and have been having problems with bud blast. When i got it it started producing a lot of buds, and I was absolutely thrilled. Well, slowly, I noticed most of the buds would start to yellow and shrivel off before they really matured. Then one bud started really taking off, I could see the stripes forming it was beautiful plump and green getting ready to turn white, I was ecstatic. I assumed that perhaps the plant was still young so from an energy stand point it couldn't sustain all the buds only just the one.

Well then I went on vacation for about a week, (I was so worried about missing the one bud bloom). And then when I came home THAT BUD WAS JUST ABOUT READY TO BLAST! I was so upset! The orchid hadn't moved was still getting same consistent light, I had left a humidity tray and had watered it pretty thoroughly before I left, and roots were green when I came home. So what gives?

Now i'm back to where I started with beautiful leaves and green stalks and some potential buds. You can actually see one of the buds on there that is already yellowing/blasting.

I don't know if it is the curse of my birthday, (I bought a cattleya also on my birthday that has been a struggle), or what. I realize these are not like regular phals, being a summer phal, but I was clearly doing something right when it was really taking off, and then the plant just decided 'nah don't feel like it'. At first I was wondering if it got too much water? But I read that they actually need more water than regular phals? Does it need more light?

I defer to the experts on here to advise. Pics attached in case you want to inspect! The potting medium & clear plastic pot are what it originally were packaged in when purchased from Hausermann in Chicago.

Thank you all!

- Bunnylotus