Buds won't open

[cara_nyc]

Hi All! I am having a problem with one of my Phals... I have 2 stems, with about 15 buds between them. 3 buds opened, and all the others just "cracked"... They are not opening!! I feel like I have tried everything!! Any advice???
thanks, cara

[herfy]

Gently try to open them kinda help them out alittle..Use a pencil or something like that .I had to do that to some of mine.They got stuck for what ever reason. Then they should flatten out nicely

[camille1585]

Any pics?
Phal buds can be really slow to open sometimes. They may look ready to open, but then you end up waiting another few days! Don't try to force them open, unless you can see that the petals are stuck together at the tip. Then you can gently unstick it.
Unless they've been like that a long time, just be patient, they will open!

[cara_nyc]

Thank you!! I actually did pry them open, when they didn't open for OVER A MONTH!!! That was just 2 days ago. They have not flattened out yet, but I sure hope they do!! I will take some photos tonight!!! I was embarassed to say that I had pried them open, lol, i was afraid someone would yell!!!

[mehitabel]

Sometimes rinsing the buds with warm water thins some goop that is "glueing" them shut.

Sometimes glued or not, I just want a little peek at the flower I've waited so long for. With a light hand you can help them along. I use a paper clip because it's rounded, slick and thin. Of course, as you noted, you still have to wait for them to flatten out.

I only do this when I think the flower will open on its own in a day or so. Not that I recommend it, but if you must open your Christmas presents early, you can usually do it without damaging the flower.

Note the usually, tho. I've made a mess a couple of times, "light hand" and all.

Should add that sometimes when the buds don't develop well, it's because the plant is losing strength from root trouble. Use your judgment about what's going on.