Iwan. Apple blossom
 

I have had this plant for nearly two years. This year, it finally put out a sheath and buds were developing. Then wham the sheath started to look like it was rotting, turned black and buds stopped developing. The cane still appears fine. Any thoughts on why the sudden change? I had to bring everyone into the garage for a couple real cold nights with the space heater running. I have tried not to water it too much, pbulbs are plump and firm.

So anyone know what could cause this? My other two catts that were also in bud at the same time have recently opened so I am at a loss as to why this spike bit the dust.

Could be that it was just more sensitive to the temp swings than the others were.
A shame the buds died, Apple Blossom really is great looking.

I have had almost the same thing happen in summer with no change at all by me ...sometimes it just happens ...I try using physan once a month now to prevent occurances of sudden black rot suddenly appearing right at the junction of a sheath and a pbulb,But I have also have physan "I THINK" cause a paph bud to blast when it was applied as the bud was forming so I am cautious using it on stuff when a sheath is very small....I have noticed recently that physan if it gets on a bloom will burn then a little

Your apple blossom and mine must be sisters . Mine had 2 buds one rotted out the other opened . Temps might be the answer , or here ,no sun for days .. even the Phal. spikes are shorter then usual ..

Thanks for the input everyone. I guess I'll give it another year or two before deciding it hates me.

I've had that happen to me as well, for no apparent reason. Maybe it just wasn't quite ready to produce flowers. If the sheath starts to look bad, I cut it and pry it open. Sometimes the buds can be saved if that is done in time.

I would think the move into the garage with the space heater caused the spike to abort. Changes in growing conditions can cause this type of problem. Hopefully everything will remain stable the next time your plant wants to bloom.

I think Caularthron bicornutum and its hybrids are more prone to this than most other Catt types. They may be more likely to catch water between the leaf base and the sheath and stay moist there, promoting rot. Be careful about getting water on the leaves when they are in sheath and maybe provide some extra air circulation.

Name change on this one - Jackfowlieara (Jkf.) Appleblossom - if you prefer to keep up to date. Appleblossom is one word either way.