Phragmipedium bloom how they die?
 

:helloI'm new to growing phrag orchids. Iv'e gotten help from members as to how to attend to them properly, thank you members. I'm blown away that this morning when I looked at my orchids my phrag - Don Wimber bloom had just fell of (it did not wilt as most orchids do). There is another bud that is progressing but not ready to flower. My question is: "Is this the way phrag flowers die/replace/generate new flowers or is there something wrong with phrag"? If anyone has an answer or can give me some suggestions I would appreciate your help. I'm including an attachment so you can see the flower. Thanking members in advanced...Zoren....

That's normal for pretty much all phrags (that haven't been pollinated). They fall off looking perfectly fresh like that.

---------- Post added at 08:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:14 AM ----------

Most phrags are sequential bloomers. This means that new flowers emerge as old flowers fall off, so that there's usually only 1 - 3 flowers open at a time. The exceptions to this are:

1) The long petalled species tend to have all their flowers open at once.
2) Some species/hybrids produce branched spikes, where each branch can have 1 - 3 flowers open at once.

Flowers are short lived compared to a lot of other slipper orchids, and while it varies from plant to plant, and based on environmental conditions, a typical lifespan of an individual flower is often in the 7 - 20 day range (1 - 3 weeks). When flowers fall off, as you noticed, they still look fresh. If you want, you can float the flower pouch up in a dish of water, and it will continue to look good for at least a few more days to a week.

Complete agreement with MrHappyRotter - This is normal, and his description of Phrag flowering habits is correct. On a large multi-spike Phrag you can have flowers every month of the year. I would just add, there can also be some time between successive flowers - days, even weeks - so don't cut a spike until it starts to dry up. It may surprise you.

yes and if you have a sequential bloomer it usually happens after the new bloom has been open for about a day. Your first reaction is always - what did I do wrong ? - but its perfectly normal and this process seems to be unique to phrags.

I want to thank: MrHappyRotter, PahpMadMan and Orchidsarefun, for there quick response to my inquiry about phrag life cycle/behavior. The bud that is mature good like it will flower in about 2wks to a month (looking forward to there flowering). My paphs are also getting ready to open fully very soon. Again thanks to all of you...Zoren...