Risk of Bud Blast?

[Jeremy]

Hello everyone, I am concerned about bud blast on my four phalaenopsis in bud. Due to the extreme cold here in the midwest, my night temperatures dropped lower than expected. The low was 56F in the growing area and the usual low there is around 62F. When I checked this morning it appeared that the buds were fine. Does bud blast occur fast like in one night or does it occur over a longer period of time like days? Will the flower buds be fine? Today was supposed to be the day I water them but I with held watering, I will keep them dry (but with increase air humidity) to help the plants to tolerate cooler temperatures. I won't water until the temperatures warm up a bit, hopefully tommorow. Let's hope the plants hold on to their buds.

Jeremy

[mayres]

Your plants are less likely to blast if they are in an environment overall that is the same as what they have been previously. If you took a plant out of a warm humid environment that was always 70+ and put it in your place it would probably blast. Since your plants have progressed to where they are now in the same place I'd say you are going to be OK. IF they were to blast it doesn't necessarily manifest itself right away or in one day - it can happen gradually over a week's time or so - at least that is my experience. Good luck!

[Jeremy]

The environment hasn't changed, they have been growing in the same spot. The phalaenopsis are used to night temperatures in the low 60's, which is probably the coolest temperatures they tolerate. And the lowest temperatures occurs early in the morning and during the day the temperatures warm up to the upper 70's. I think it takes multiple nights in the mid 50's to cause bud drop, not just one night. So maybe they are ok?

Jeremy

[cb977]

They should be fine. When the temps drop here, I set the heater to 52 for overnight and all is well