Dendrobium "phalaenopsis type" bud blast

[josterha]

Hello,

I recently bought a Denbrobium hybrid of the "phalaenopsis" type in partial bloom and bud. It is labelled Den. Siam Peach, which is not registered. I placed next one of my other Dens which was also blooming and waited. My original plant (called Den. Negro - also not registered) bloomed beautifully. Each bud developed sequentially down the raceme and looks gorgeous today. The Siam Peach had three lower blooms open, which are still blooming and in fine shape, and a series of eight more buds. As each of the buds swells and looks like it is getting ready to open, the bud turns an orange-brown, shrivels and falls off. This has happened for the last seven buds, with only one remaining. Any idea of what can be happening? I grow inside my apartment. These plants are under a high intensity compact fluorescent fixture. Humidity is somewhat low, due to winter conditions still here is chicago, but I try to keep it at least to 45% RH. I reiterate that the plant right next to it of the same type (but not the same grex) is blooming perfectly. I am new to Dens, so any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
John

[Kittycat101]

I actually had that problem with my first bud ever a few weeks ago. it looked ready to open so i watered it and the next day it started to shrivel up and died. I found the issue quite eaisly, there was standing water in the bottom of the pot. (it was never an issue before) Now i make sure to water it and let it drain.im not an expert but to me, Any sort of small change will kill a bud. Kind of sucks :/ Of course it could be anything for you. Have you over watered it or under watered it?

[stefpix]

Couldn't it be that you just bought it and the change from the greenhouse to your place did the trick?

I bought a Den Roongkamol and came in bud but blasted 3/ 4 months ago. Now it is growing new roots.

Someone gave me a Den goldschmidtianum and the buds on one cane blasted but another cane bloomed later.

I think if you move an orchid when in bud to a spot with more light or less humidity it may get affected.

[josterha]

@ Kittycat: no problems here with water staying in the pot. It appears to be potted in a mix of lava rock and charcoal. It is fast-draining and no chance of it sitting in water. I water it once a week. I wouldn't think that would be over- or under-watering as it is my understanding that Dens mostly like to dry out before re-wetting.

@ Stefano: I bought it at an orchid show. I suppose there is no way of knowing what conditions it travelled through before I bought it, also it was quite cold that day (just above freezing) and I had to move my plants from the show hall to my car. But this was some weeks ago and I would have thought that the plant would not have such a memory. I think it is plausible, though.

Thanks for your replies.

[shadytrake]

Originally Posted by josterha

@ Stefano: I bought it at an orchid show. I suppose there is no way of knowing what conditions it travelled through before I bought it, also it was quite cold that day (just above freezing) and I had to move my plants from the show hall to my car. But this was some weeks ago and I would have thought that the plant would not have such a memory. I think it is plausible, though.

Thanks for your replies.

It is very plausible. I had that happen to Den Waianae Valley 'Ruffles'. I didn't get out to the GH to turn on the heater and the heat dropped below 52 for about an hour. Since s/h hydroton makes the pot cooler, it was even colder to the plant. The entire spike blasted about 2 weeks later. At first I thought they were fine, but then one right after another blasted so I gave up and cut the spike.

[DSDNYC]

My guess is temperature shock or light issue, especially with a new plant.

[josterha]

Thanks a lot for the responses! I guess I will just cut the spike above the last opened flower. I will keep it with the other Dens and hope for the best for next season. I'm so glad this resource is available to me!