Deformed buds on Phalaenopsis
 

Hi - I am brand new to this site and a little unsure as to procedure so apologies if I have done something incorrectly.
I have had Phals for many years with no probs but I have a plant which has thrown a lovely strong, branched stem of buds. However some of the branches have distorted and are quite fat at the ends and the buds are either failing to develop or are developing a little bit and then turning red or yellowish and dying off. Other branches on the same main stem look perfectly ok but none are ready to open yet. The plants are several years old and have always been fine. No change to position or any other stress that I can think of. Anyone got any suggestions as to what this is? My search on the internet has provided only one possibility - a new disease on Phals recently identified in China, I think, in which the buds turn red and fail or the flowers are crinkled if they open, whilst there is no damage/distortion to leaves - but I cannot believe that my plant has anything that other people haven't seen before!! I would post some photos but as this is my first visit I don't think I can.

Make five posts (you can reply in other posts and such) and then you will be able to post pictures.

Welcome to Orchid Board.

If the roots and plants are healthy, and there has been no change in condition, I can't think of too much that would affect the buds. Is it near a heat source that has started to run more now due to cooler temps outside? Quite often having them near a radiator or forced air heat vent can cause bud blast. Also having them near fruit such as apples or bananas will do it because of the ethylene gas emitted by those fruits.

Welcome to OrchidBoard :)

hmm are the roots ok?

just wondering if its a few years old, if its ever been repotted?

media breaking down could be affecting the roots and that would affect flowering, that's if you haven't repotted it.