Bud blast in Hoyas? - Orchid Board

greenpassion · #1 09-30-2017, 01:42 PM

This post is in regards to that little Hoya that I had posted pictures of that is in bloom. I have just realized two things seem to be going on. The first is that the side of the plant that is facing the window does not have blooms or those little stem things that mean there will be a flower there - can't think of what they're called. There is also a T5 light above the table in front of the window. I have this light on a timer , 13 hours a day. This is to supplement the light from the window. As it is an East window. If I recall last year the setup was exactly the same. So there's nothing different in the lighting. The second thing is is that those little flower to be stems(I know how stupid I sound!) Appear to be blasting for some reason. Out of all of the possible blooms I thought I was going to get, it looks like I'm only going to have 6! I don't know what's going on. I have a secret suspicion that I have hovered too much, maybe too much fertilizer, too much water, something like that. Any thoughts?

greenpassion · #2 09-30-2017, 02:15 PM

And I want to add, that even though there appears to only be a few Flowers In Bloom, the scent is very strong in my room. It's surprising with so few actually bloomed.

sbrofio · #3 10-01-2017, 06:23 AM

Hi, they are peduncles

and are very sensitive to changes, for example temps, light or air movemente. Maybe you opened the window behind?

greenpassion · #4 10-01-2017, 10:34 AM

Oh yes. I have opened the window behind and also placed a small fan further in to the room to get air circulating. I wonder if that's what did it? Here in Vermont the weather will be 91 day and then 60 the next, and the temps going down into the upper 30s at night. It's been really unsteady. Thank you for that info.

estación seca · #5 10-01-2017, 03:25 PM

They drop buds when the environment changes too much. Try to keep temperature, light and humidity as constant as possible when they're in bud. Definitely don't move a plant once it gets buds; this includes don't turn the pot in the window.

And if you didn't know... Hoyas flower for many years off the same peduncles, which continue to elongate. Don't ever cut them off.

greenpassion · #6 10-01-2017, 05:34 PM

Thank you es. I had no idea about this. So when you say not to move it, what I had been doing is taking her to the sink and running water through the pot like I do the orchids. Should I just water her where she is? And not worry about water running through? And I'm not sure why but the peduncles had disappeared I think after it bloomed last year. It grew new ones back which is what clued me in to the possibility that I was going to get more flowers this year. Is that possible? Or am I wrong about that? I never turn it I don't move it except to take her to the sink and water. I never have turned it around towards the Sun. It's also interesting to note that the fuller bushier side is facing away from the window and into my room rather than have the thicker bushier side up to the window where it gets the most Sun. And I don't cut anything off this plant. I leave it alone as much as possible except the watering bit. Is that why this happened? Because I move her to the sink to water?

estación seca · #7 10-01-2017, 05:43 PM

I should have been more clear. It's fine to take it to the sink and water it. I meant don't put it into a new spot once it forms buds.

I'm guessing your highly variable recent temperatures and humidity caused the bud blast. Cool temperatures will do this for most Hoyas.

greenpassion · #8 10-01-2017, 05:50 PM

Ok. Good to know.