Phal. bud blast galore!!

[camillenad]

So I never seem to get how to take care of my orchids! I think i smother them with love. I have a dozen Phals all spiking like crazy, n thats great! buttt alll the buds r wilting n falling off

I have at least 10 phals that are in spike right now or growing new spikes from old ones. But none of the buds are growing enough to make it! they are all blasting either when they are still tiny or when they become medium sized. I've read all that leads to bud blast, but light is right humidity etc.... everything seems to be fine. I'm almost ready to give up. What to do to prevent bud blast ?!!!


and Merry Christmas everyone!

[Merlyn]

Cold drafts ? Overwatering ? Too much sun ? Change of location ? Too many variables but I'd bet on temp variance because that's one of the easiest ways to blast buds. I've blasted them carrying to the car and into a meeting ! HTH !

[camillenad]

Temp's pretty constant, havent changed their location either

[silken]

Sorry for your bad luck Camille. Other than what Chryss mentioned, I can't think of anything. especially if its multiple plants it must be something in their environment they don't like. I agree, even tho I was so careful protecting a Phal I bought recently for my sister in law, 2 buds blasted.

Have a Merry Christmas anyways!

[camillenad]

Thanks Silken and Chryss, and Merry Christmas!

[Shirley]

What kind of heat are you using in the room? Could there be fumes of some sort from fuel oil, or perhaps paint, etc.?

[camillenad]

mmmmmmm theres no direct heat in that room, theres a heater in the room next to the orchids, door in between is open, could be from the fumes from that heater I never thought of that thanks Shirley!

Also one more question, there are some spikes grown out of old spikes that have lost all their buds to bud blast except the last "mitten" bud. What do i do with the spike? do i just leave it of cut it off?

Thanks everyone

[Merlyn]

I wouldn't cut it off until it dries up and turns brown, but that's just my way ! Geez, I just remembered that Hyacinths (and something else common) shouldn't be kept in the same room with orchids !!!! Maybe someone else remembers the other no-no around "our-chids" !!

[camillenad]

I think im too impatient i can never wait til it becomes brown

[Shirley]

If it was down to the last bud, I personally would cut the
spike off at the base, make it an appropriate length and put the bud into a vase! I don't wait for spikes to turn brown either -- as soon as the flowers are off, I cut it at the base and dab the cut with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to prevent any infection setting in.