Buds on phalaenopsis stopped growing & buds look deformed

[Suse]

Hello,

I bought this phalaenopsis about a year ago and it was flowering perfectly. Two or three month ago it has grown a new spike with lots of buds, but unfortunately the buds have stopped growing - they get to about 3mm and then they stop. What is also strange is that these little buds open a bit - its as though the orchid thinks they are now fully grown and tries to open the tiny blossom, but of course that does not work. The plan itself looks health (leaves and roots) and keeps growing new buds on the spike, but none of them look healthy.
Does anyone know what might be the problem? I would be very grateful for any suggestions!

Best wishes, Suse

[johnblagg]

Got a picture ..its hard to say without seeing it

[Suse]

Yes, I've got some pictuers.

[Blueszz]

Strange Suse, never saw something like that. Can you tell us a bit more about the conditions you grow this plant in, like what kind of light, how much, , h ow long, what windowsill (North, South etc), humidity and day- night temperatures?
Maybe that can help us to diagnose the problem.

You say that the leafs and roots are fine but I don't know how experienced you are, in other words, I'm not sure if you made the right judgment. It's not that I want to put your knowledge into question but just be sure... If there is any doubt about the plant, pictures of the entire plant/root system (in the pot is fine) might be helpful too.

Do you have other Phalaenopsis' in the same location?

Nicole

[johnblagg]

I have to say I have not seen one do this either ....

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

That looks like a genetic mutation. It's possible, but I'm not certain.

It looks like it could be caused by repeated cloning. Cloning isn't perfect, sometimes random stuff just happens. Maybe this is just one of them.

It'd still be a good idea to post what the humidity is, as well as the temperature, and light exposure. Not to mention, knowing about your watering and fertilizer regimen would be good as well. I'd still like to know these factors just in case this problem is preventable and correctable on the part of the hobbyist.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

As a side note, I think it's interesting to see this because it may be a small window into how the flowers of the line of plants that have given rise to Phalaenopsis may have looked like a very long time ago.

[Suse]

Thank you for all your comments so far! I am trying to answer your questions as best I can.

The orchid is on a south-east facing window sill (I live in Scotland, so it never gets too sunny here) in my kitchen. This is the room where I keep my orchids once they've stopped flowering until they've grown a new spike. I've got about 12 phals and none of the others has this problem even though they have been exposed to the same conditions - on the contrary the are producing a great number of flowers.

The day time temperature is between 18 - 21 degrees (a bit more of course when the plant actually gets some sun, but this does not happen for too long or too often - the leaves are neither sunburnt nor too dark). At night the temperature drops to about 15 - 18 degrees.

I water the plant about once a week with lukewarm water (the water here is very soft). I probably only feed the plant every 6 - 8 weeks.

In terms of humidity - I am sorry I cannot give an accurate answer. The plant is in the kitchen, so sometimes the humidity is quite high, but mostly its moderate - its defiantly not dry.

If its genetic is it possible that the plant will sometimes produce healthy buds? It was fine when I bought it ...

[Blueszz]

Hi Suse,
your answer leaves me puzzled let's see what others have to say about this.
Nicole

[johnblagg]

If you had this plant in bloom at one time and the blooms were normal then it very doubtful that its genes changed It could have been the use of som chem that distorted the buds ....have you sprayed the house with pest control or the plants with anything?