HELP - Phalaenopsis petals are curling

[orchidboard111]

I bought two phalaenopsis plants at Home Depot five days ago. The petals on one of the plants began to curl inwards the day after I brought it home. Since bringing it home, one of the buds has opened up, but the petals look like they are starting to curl. The second plant looked fine until yesterday, when its petals also began to curl.

The leaves on both plants look a little bit dark, but they're getting lighter since I've brought them home.

My apartment is pretty dry, but I have them both on humidity trays and am spraying them several times a day with a spray bottle. The temperature during the day is around 80 degrees; at night, it is around 68 degrees. I have them both in indirect sunlight at windows.

I did some research, and thought that it might have had something to do with air conditioning blowing on the flowers. I've moved them out of direct range of the air flow, and the petals are continuing to curl.

Does anyone have any idea what could be causing the petals to curl and how I can stop it? I really appreciate any insights you might have.

Pictures are here.

[camille1585]

Those bloms are wilting. Don't worry it's something that happens very often with Phals bought in bloom. The blooms are quite sensitive to big changes in their environment, such as taking a plant from a store to your home. Having the air conditioning on them probably was not a good idea.

Normally the buds that open in your care (if they don't blast) should be longer lived.

[Discus]

Dry air flowing past flowers could definitely cause this. I did bad things to a Nepenthes the other day by leaving it in the path of a fairly strong fan.

I suspect once the flowers are damaged in this way they may not recover, but subsequent blooms should be OK once you correct whatever is causing this.

What sort of temperature and humidity is that room at?

Also check the plant's roots to see they are OK.

[orchidboard111]

camille1585 - Thank you so much for your reply. I am glad to hear that this is normal for plants that are bought in bloom, and hopefully the new buds will not start to curl.

Discus - thanks for the suggestion about the roots - I will check them.

Since the blooms are not likely to recover, do I need to remove them?

Thank so much for your help!

[camille1585]

They'll fall off on their own in a day or two, but you can pinch them off if you want.

[orchidboard111]

Great - thanks, Camille!