Blasted spike - Orchid Board

Jayfar · #1 07-07-2013, 08:58 PM

My Kinkousei had a nice spike underway - it was up to about 3/4 of an inch and buds were just starting to appear - but I just noticed today it has blasted or essentially dried up. Any ideas of typical causes for this with Neos or just one of those random things that happens?

My humidity has been very good the past couple weeks, seldom dropping below 50-60% RH and I've been watering whenever the pot feels dry by weight and misting exposed roots at least daily. I have experienced temps up to the low 90s the past few days and wonder whether that might be a factor.

I notice there is a dried up spike just one or two leaves below this one from before I got the plant, but I don't know whether that one had bloomed or not. This is a nice size 3 growth plant. A pic from a few weeks ago below (plant on the left), but it doesn't show the spike.

Neo Collection-part 1 by Jayfar, on Flickr

trdyl · #2 07-07-2013, 11:45 PM

Lovely plants Jafar!

I have not been growing pure Neof falcatas long. But if I remember right some strains are more prone than others for spike blasting if the spikes get wet.

coffeecup · #3 07-08-2013, 12:04 AM

It could be the spikes getting wet. I've been having this issue as well and think its the most likely cause. They're so tolerant of lower humidity that I don't think it would cause it unless it was severely dry in your area.

Call_Me_Bob · #4 07-08-2013, 01:25 AM

This happened to my Hisui too! Maybe I got the spike wet.

Jayfar · #5 07-08-2013, 02:02 AM

Thanks all. Darn, I try so hard to avoid getting them wet too, but it seems that's a likely cause.

AnonYMouse · #6 07-08-2013, 02:20 AM

Is that what happened to my spike?

coffeecup · #7 07-08-2013, 02:27 AM

Its hard to not get some of them wet, especially if you have a ton to water. I switched to a new watering method by using a pump sprayer so I could water the 40+ I have faster, trying to keep the water on just the moss only. However, I have found that I started getting more buds/spikes blasted since I've done this. I guess I may have to go back to the slow way....

Pilot · #8 07-08-2013, 12:29 PM

How odd-- I water mine with a sink sprayer-- the kind that pulls out from the sink and you and douse everything in sight, including the 3-year old standing next to you and I've never lost a spike. surely these plants get rained on in nature, no?

coffeecup · #9 07-08-2013, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilot

How odd-- I water mine with a sink sprayer-- the kind that pulls out from the sink and you and douse everything in sight, including the 3-year old standing next to you and I've never lost a spike. surely these plants get rained on in nature, no?

I would think this was the case too, but I've been stumped recently as to what else could be the cause.

coffeecup · #10 07-08-2013, 05:08 PM

I have a couple photos attached on an example of a recent blasting. This is my Shojou and if you can remember, was it full bloom not too long ago with no problems. This little bud lagged behind and looks almost "fried."

Some of my flowers, that are toward the end of flowering are also drying differently than usual. Then again it has been in the high 90s to 100s here, so maybe its that.