Walnut Looking Flower Buds - Orchid Board

samakar1516 · #1 05-14-2012, 11:37 AM

I went against my better judgement and bought a Phal (DTPS. Chian Xen Pearl x Red Cat) at Lowes a few months ago because of the brilliant deep burgundy color which I had never seen before. One bud was open, but all the others were still closed, on 2 flower spikes. I waited and waited, but the other buds never opened. But as time went on the buds developed a texture on the outside that looked like the outside of a walnut shell; there's no better way to describe it, and it would progressively get worse and just never open. Since I was getting nowhere, I decided to totally remove one of the flower spikes and cut the other one down to a healthy looking node. I was surprised at how fast the cut spike produced 2 branches and about 8 flower buds all together. Well, they started out nice enough, but again they have started getting that walnut shell texture and not opening. Is it possibly a bad spike, a bad plant? I have no idea, so ay suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated, as I would like to get this orchid to bloom correctly if possible. Thanks again.

LittleWatty · #2 05-14-2012, 11:49 AM

It sounds like maybe the buds blasted, but honestly, I couldn't tell you for sure. Some of the more knowledgeable members here can probably give you a better answer than me!

camille1585 · #3 05-14-2012, 06:14 PM

Do you have some pics of those buds? That would help us get a better idea of what's going on.

Bud · #4 05-14-2012, 06:20 PM

were they producing a lot of nectar like sap on the buds? I think it was gluing it shut instead of opening...putting the whole plant on the sink while you take a steamy shower will help it open its blooms

camille1585 · #5 05-14-2012, 06:22 PM

But that texture is odd though... The stuck buds I've had all stayed normal looking. Sucking insects maybe?

Bud · #6 05-14-2012, 06:29 PM

right, Camille...I am also curious as to what is that wallnut looking bud being referred to...

samakar1516 · #7 05-14-2012, 07:32 PM

Thanks for all the responses so far. The buds had no sticky liquid on them, nor any pests that I could see. The camera I tried to take a picture of them with won't get close and clear enough. I'm going to try a different camera in the morning....so let's keep our fingers crossed!
Thanks again.

WhiteRabbit · #8 05-14-2012, 10:32 PM

I think it sounds like blast - tho perhaps I'm picturing it differently from what it is - but I'm guessing the buds were big, but then started to wither ?

Wynn Dee13 · #9 05-14-2012, 11:59 PM

I agree with Sonya. But a picture would be nice to see. If it had a normal flower when you bought it then it is capable of blooming. So I don't think it is a bad plant (being able to produce normal flowers wise).

samakar1516 · #10 05-15-2012, 12:40 AM

By the time I see that the buds are going bad it does look like blast, but I have several Phals and I don't have that problem on any of the other ones. I think I may just unpot it and check the roots etc. and take it from there. But before unpotting I think I'll just cut the spike off all together and if the roots look good, repot it and see what happens. That's about all I can do at this point. Also, in answering one of the questions......the bud that was open when I bought it was about 3/4 open but still had that texture on the sepals; so then I knew it didn't look quite right but I picked it up anyway, thinking that I would get it back to a healthier state (because we know how they treat orchids in those chain garden centers).