Bud Blast! Ang. sesquipedale . . .

[NeoNJ]

Today, I lost another Bud. This is the 2nd bud on 2 different plants of Angraecum sesquipedale that I have Lost! I'm heartbroken! I have been so looking forward to seeing these magnificent flowers for so long, only now to have lost 2 buds .....

Anyone got any ideas? I initially thought the plants were getting to much light, so I moved back the plants....obviously that was not the problem....

Humidity too low?
Insects maybe? - try to look at the spike with magnifying glass.

[Paul]

Major bummer! Any chilly or overly hot/dry drafts?

[Cattleya17]

my guess it would be humidity. or the drafts. or the plant is too dry. most plants like a little more moisture at the roots when producing flowers. I just blasted a bud on My leonis because I kept it too dry

Are there Anymore buds? or not? i hope you have some more! i know exactly how you feel!!!! Last year Sesquipedale had a Mealybug on the spike but I missed it because it was hiding in between the leaves. I too was longing to see these flowers in person!!!!!! this year i get to. I think Parkside orchid Nursery have some in spike for 25 dollars im sure they will have one. their clientele is not huge like some other companies so they may have more stock. I know its not the same as blooming it yourself but its some thing......

[Chris147]

I'm not sure if when you say it's the second bud to blast on two plants you mean that all of the buds are gone, but angraecums often will have more than one bud on a spike. The first flower may open, but often times the second bud will blast. This is the case for a lot of angraecums. In fact there is one plant, can't think of the name now, that puts two buds out and the second always blasts. I don't know why they do this, but they do.

[Bud]

it doesnt like to be moved about...let it stay put...check for bugs and humidify...

[Leafmite]

Sorry to hear. I lost some buds to mealies which I never find until there are blooms. Very frustrating to await flowers, only to lose them.
Leafmite

[Wrebbitrocks]

mines isnt doing anything either. ive been keeping it moist too. light and humidity seem to be good. im thinking its because of the low temps and it just stalled but im getting angry at it. star of bethlehem my......anyways merry xmas everyone

[NeoNJ]

To warm, to cold, to wet, to dry, to little humidity, blah blah blah blah ....please excuse me! I guess I'm just venting! I'm not having any luck with any of my Orchids right now and I'm really ready to throw them all in the trash! My nerves are shot!

These Ang. sesquipedale I was so looking forward to seeing at Christmas.....and when they spiked and got buds, I was thrilled! At last, I thought (I have had these plants since last Spring), so finally I will see these magnificent flowers ! Only to have 2 different plants get bud blast! I lost a total of (4) Buds on 2 different plants!

I moved the plants away from direct sun, because I thought that was the problem....they were getting bright Morning light......I move them and look what happens!

Perhaps I should just grow some African Violets !

[smweaver]

Sorry to learn about your negative experience with sesquipedale, but don't give up just yet. It really is an easy to grow and bloom species once it's happy.

Was there any point when the temperatures in your growing area got very cool (or even cold)? This could even happen in a relatively warm room where the plant (and especially a spike or flower buds) is close to a window (microclimates, although generally a good thing to find, can also work against us sometimes if we're not aware of their existence).

Generally (in my experience) Ang. sesquipedale's very tolerant (and, in fact, enjoys) high light, so I doubt this was the issue with your plant. My plant is also tolerant of less-than-ideal humidity during the coldest months of the winter when I have difficulty keeping the RH above 40 to 50 percent. Cold, I think (even a brief cold spell), might be your culprit. But again, just a friendly word of encouragement not to give up on the species. Once you've experienced the dramatic blooms (even though they smell, to me, like Noxema!) firsthand, you'll forget all about what a pain it may have been to learn how to successfully grow and flower your plant--but that will make sticking with it even more satisfying as well. Good luck!

Steve