Why is my orchid drying buds: 9 reasons why orchids lose buds and flowers

Hi, guys! Everything is perfect in the orchid. This plant has beautiful leaves and even roots. However, many growers cultivate this miracle of nature in order to admire its magical flowers. For months we water, fertilize and transplant our green treasures. And finally, the long-awaited buds appear on them. We count the days until the first flower blooms. But suddenly the buds begin to fall off. Is this situation familiar to you? Unfortunately, bud loss is often seen in indoor orchids. Today I'd like to tell you about Why is my orchid drying buds. We will discuss with you 9 common reasons why orchids lose buds and flowers. (I'll also show you photos of my Phalaenopsises, Dendrobium Nobile and Howeara).

 

Why is a orchid drying buds

 

1. Dry air.

 

The most elementary: green "butterflies" lose their juices because they do not have enough moisture. Most often this happens due to dry indoor air. In order for the buds to bloom, it is necessary to increase the humidity in the atmosphere. 

 

Get humidifiers, spray the area around the orchids, stir the flowers as far away from them as possible during the heating systems.

 

My Dendrobium

 

 

2. Lack of light. 

 

Most often, orchids shed their buds in late autumn and winter, when insolation is reduced. In order to observe a flower garden on the windowsill, during this period, your favourite Phalaenopsis and other orchids must be illuminated.

3. Lack of fertilizer. 

 

Flowering is a test for every houseplant. The plant needs a lot of energy to bear this burden. If the inhabitant of the flowerpot is weakened, he can drop and dry out what hinders him. That is, he can drop the buds. This also applies to royal orchids. This is why Phalaenopsis and Dendrobiums need to be fed regularly with orchid fertilizer.

 

My Phalaenopsis

 

4. Drafts.

 

Our greenhouse creatures can't stand them. From gusts of icy wind, these sissies can die. Therefore, home orchids should be protected from drafts.

5. Stuffiness.

 

But there is a diametrically opposite reason — the lack of air flow. In fact, orchids need a breath of wind. But wind must be warm. Avid orchidists blow their green collections with a fan.

6. Hypothermia.

 

In winter, the orchid touches of the cold window glass, blows on it from the cracks of the window sill. All this can be fatal for your plant. And, of course, you will not wait for flowers from her. She would survive in such harsh conditions! In the autumn-winter season, carefully choose a location for this majestic person.

 

My Howeara

 

 

Another reason for hypothermia is when, after watering with warm water, a representative of the orchid family is immediately placed on the window. Even if nothing blows on the flower, it can react to temperature differences. After I take out my Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium and Howeara from the container in winter, I let them settle in a warm place. And only after a few often I put them back on the windowsill.

 

7. Too young plant.

 

Orchid keiki can dry the buds, because she still does not have enough strength to bloom. In this case, do not rush things — let your treasure grow up.

 

My Phalaenopsis Manhattan

 

8. Plant pests.

Another reason for the loss of buds is the appearance of insects on the orchid. Sometimes from the outside it's so easy to find out. This is especially true of such the smallest dirty trick as thrips. They are practically invisible. Especially on cloudy winter and autumn days, when the lighting is weak. And these hordes suck the juices of our green friends to the fullest. 

 

If you find plant pests on your favourite orchid, start pest control. I personally use special pest control sticks. These sticks need to be inserted directly into the soil for orchids.

9. Irrigation deficit.

 

And finally, last but not least, the reason is the lack of watering. Of course, orchids do not require frequent irrigation. But still, these plants should not be left without water. As a rule, I personally water my Phalaenopsis and other orchids once a week.

 

Here are the main reasons why orchids can dry buds and flowers.

 

Have you encountered such a problem? How did you save your flower? Tell us about it in the comments. Your opinion is very important to me.

My Mini Mark Orchid keiki in bloom

The first flowering of a plant is like of baby's first steps... Today I'm going to tell you about the primary blooming of my Mini Mark Phalaenopsis. Almost 2 years ago I made a great deal with a florist. I changed one of my houseplant on this miracle in a pot. And in February the green friend made me happy and gave me two wonderful flowers. Please, look at my Mini Mark Orchid keiki in bloom.

Unfortunately, when I made the changing this phyto-alien had limp leaves. The plant was feeble. Luckily the roots were good. And the miniature survived on my windowsill! Two white flowers with orange lips was his winter gift for me.

Mini Mark Orchid keiki in bloom

Requirements for the plant growth is the same as conditions for the cultivation of another Phalaenopsises indoor. The representative of Orchidarium Family prefers bright diffused light, room temperature and infrequent watering with soft warm water. 

My lovely Phalaenopsis is flowering

We have to irrigate a Moth Orchid when the substrate is dry. (Usually I deep my orchids in plastic containers with aqua).

The houseplant needs high air humidity all the year around. Position near radiators can wilt the flower in winter. However I've found a method how to increase air humidity around my orchid. I located an earthen cup of water near the plant. 

Former owner of the keiki told that the orchid's flowers don't smell. Nevertheless I felt a light pleasing aroma in the sunny mornings. 


P.S. But why I say "keiki"? I think my Mini Mark is a grown-up person at present.

How to grow a Miniature Cambria orchid indoor: my yellow Thumbelina

This amazing orchid looks like a toy. The plant is smaller than a palm. Its flowers have size of a coin. It's a Miniature Cambria. This orchid is not a common houseplant. However care of the green friend is not difficult. Today I'm going to tell you about how to grow a Miniature Cambria orchid indoor.

A Miniature Cambria

I bought this plant recently. The seller suggested me to choose one orchid of two. (The flowers had yellow and pink colors). I couldn't make a choice because the orchids were beautiful. "Yellow or pink? Pink or yellow?" - I had hesitated in my choice. At last I decided. "I'd like to buy the yellow orchid!" - I said. The seller packed up the plant. And the phyto-Thumbelina has settled down on my windowsill.

The orchids are talking

Care of this miniature orchid is the same as care of a Cambria with standard size. The "Motherland" of these plants is greenhouses because a Cambria was selected from other orchids (from a Odontoglossum, a Miltonia, a Oncidium, a Cochlioda and a Brassia). This green friend is adapted to home conditions. What does the houseplant demand?

Howeara Chian-Tzy Lovely (My yellow Thumbelina)

This plant prefers diffused light, watering by soft warm water, high humidity (about 40%) and room temperature. I water my yellow Thumbelina once a week. However I' m going to reduce frequency of watering in Fall and in Winter.

My lovely mini orchid is flowering

My Miniature orchid is growing in a commercial soil (I suppose it's a coco soil). Nevertheless I plan to transplant the mini Cambria in a bark mix.

This plant doesn't require a rest period. Therefore a Cambia is able to bloom in any season. 


P.S. Oh, friends! My reader, an orchids lover, said me lately that my houseplant is Howeara Chian-Tzy Lovely! (The plant is hybrid of Leachilus, Oncidium and Rodreiguezia orchids). So, my cambria has a name. The name is Howeara!!!

Ceratostylis rubra: an amazing ruby orchid

Do you like rubies? I think the best ruby for an orchid lover is flower of Ceratostylis rubra. This ceratostylis is a miniature orchid with thin sharp leaves and red-orange flowers. They are tiny but very colorful. Flowers of this mini orchid shine as small ruby stars. Today I'm going to tell you about how to grow Ceratostylis rubra indoor.

Ceratostylis rubra

I've consulted about care of this flower with Denis Silchenko (mail: dem4ig@ukr.net), who is a collector of rare orchids. Denis has many unusual plants at his home. I will tell you about another miniature orchids from his collection in my next posts. However today our hero is Ceratostylis rubra.

This floral character prefers high humidity (near 80%). Therefore Denis recommend to cultivate Ceratostylis rubra in a mini orchidarium. If you decide to grow your green pet on a windowsill, you have to add moisture to the air or else the plant may die. This green person is afraid of dry air.

"A small red star". Ceratostylis rubra in the Denis Silchenko's mini orchidarium

Also this ruby orchid likes bright diffused light. It needs sun ray in morning or in evening. Nevertheless if you grow the mini plant on a southerly windowsill, you have to shade your flower at noon. 

In addition this mini orchid demands temperature drop. Difference between day and night temperatures should be 41-44.6 degrees Fahrenheit (5-7 degrees Celsius).

Watering of this plant should be very gingerly. Ceratostylis rubra doesn't stand over watering and under filling. The substrate should always be slightly wet. 

As a lot of tropical orchids, the plant loves warm wind but doesn't bear cool draught. Many flower lovers grow this "ruby star" near a fan. My consultant makes wind for his orchids by the instrumentality of... computer coolers.


If you cultivate the ceratostylis on a windowsill you may plant it in a pot. However if you grow the orchid in a mini orchidarium, block planting is correct for this mini houseplant.

On the pictures: The orchid from the Denis Silchenko's collection. The photos was taken by the orchids collector specially for my blog.
 

Benefits of Orchids

Why do you grow orchids indoor? I have to confess that I do it for my esthetic delight. I really adore flowers and leaves of these wonderful plants. However these amazing creatures are not so idle. They do good to us! Let's talk about benefits of orchids.

A rose Phalaenopsis

1. They clean the air. Members of the Orchids Family can improve indoor air quality. According to NASA researches, matchless Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium orchids absorb tolyene and xylene. We can breathe clean air thank to our green friends. May be, that is a reason why a Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis) and a Dendrobium are widespread houseplants.

Moth Orchids clean air

2. They feed us. We may eat some of orchid "fruits". For example, we often add to dishes "fruits" of a vanilla orchid. As you know, vanilla is produced from vanilla pods. Caution! We have to remember that most orchids are toxic. I don't recommend eat these plants.

My fragrant orchids in winter

3. They cure diseases. Some of orchids are "green doctors". They can cure our ailments. For example, a purple orchid (Orchis mascula I.) is a medicinal plant.


4. They keep our youth. Orchid extract is a valuable component of some of anti-aging creams. This extract can improve skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles.


5. They smell sweet. Many orchids are fragrant plants. They smell sweet and may substitute synthetic home fragrances. Also scent of orchids is a component of many luxury perfume compounds.

Dendrobium Nobile hybrid keiki care: Why my Dendrobium offspring blooms

Do you grow orchid keikeis? As you know, orchid ofshoots often doesn't flower. Nevertheless my Dendrobium Nobile hybrid keiki makes me happy. It has been flowering since last month! I'd like to devote this entry to Dendrobium Nobile hybrid keiki care. I'm going to tell you about why my Dendrobium offspring blooms.

"Waltz of the Flowers"

I got the keiki from one of flower lovers in September 2014. "I planted it in July. The keiki feels fine. However it has not bloomed yet", - the plant lover lamented. "But this plant is too young! I think that it isn't able for blooming", - I said. I didn't believe that the offspring can bloom.

"Born in Winter". The first flowers of my Dendr. bloomed in December

I brought the orchid keiki home and located the plant at a light place on my glassed loggia. And in October I detected the buds! When I detected them I was glad like a child. "My little orchid is going to bloom!", - I exclaimed. The first couple of flowers bloomed in December.

My Dendrobium Nobile hybrid keiki is blooming

Why does my Dendrobium Nobile hybrid keiki bloom? First of all, it lives in the sunlight. This orchid adores bright diffused light. I never locate the offspring in the shade.

Couples of the Flowers

In November I relocated my orchid keiki from the loggia to the room because this hybrid orchid is afraid of cold. Orchid lovers say that Dendr. Nobile needs a rest period without watering. They say that this contrivance stimulates the flowering. 

However I think that Dendrobium Nobile hybrid care differs from "pure-blooded" Dendrobium Nobile care. I didn't give a rest period for my orchid keiki. The beautiful "hard worker" has bloomed without this "floricultural trick"!

I water the plant when the soil dry fully.

Happy New Orchid!

My green pet has tender lilac-white flowers. This orchid is aromatic. The flowers smell sweet like luxury fresh scent perfumes. Also this hybrid Dendr. is a sociable green person. Flowers of the plant bloom in pairs, as a rule. 


It seems like they are dancing the Waltz.

How to plant a vanilla orchid

Do you like scent of vanilla? Do you want to grow this spice on your windowsill? I've told you about a simple method of a vanilla vine rooting in one of my post. As you might guess, this amazing vine is one of my favorite houseplants. Today I'd like to tell you about how to plant a vanilla orchid. 

Vanilla planifolia variegata

I planted my Vanilla planifolia variegata cutting last year. And I want to share with you my own experience of "transfer" a rooted vanilla cutting.


Step 1. Choose the flowerpot. We may plant the vine in a pottery pot, in a plastic pot or in a special orchids basket. I've chosen last item. The basket is good for a vanilla orchid because the roots breathe in this "house". However it isn't good for cleanness of the room because the soil may fall through basket's holes. I think that a pottery pot is suitable for a vanilla vine as well. Also some of plant lovers use a coco shell as an orchid pot. 

A plastic orchids basket

Step 2. Prepare the soil. A suitable soil for V.planifolia is chunks of bark, a coco coir or coco chips. One of advanced orchid lovers recommends to use a "coco soil". I use a coco coir for planting my vanilla orchid.

A vanilla orchid needs a support

You have to wet the soil before using. As you remember, we've told about planting a vanilla orchid. If you want to transplant the flower you should not wet the soil.

Step 3. Take the soil to the pot. 

Step 4. Plant the orchid. We should earth only the roots. Please, don't deep the stem. 

The plant needs a support. It may be a bamboo stick, a plastik stick or even a pen.

My vanilla orchid in the "mini hothouse"

Step 5. Make a mini hothouse. Vanilla planifolia needs period of adaptation after the planting. You ought to locate the plant in a mini hothouse. Take out the plant from the hothouse for a short while in order that the orchid may breathe air.


I use a plastic bag. I had located my vanilla vine in the bag after the planting. I had been keeping my vanilla orchid in the mini hothouse for 2 weeks and then I located it on my windowsill without the plastic bag.

Paphiopedilum Velvet Spot x Lancer: A beautiful orchid

Today I'm going to tell you about an amazing Lady slipper orchid. It's Paphiopedilum Velvet Spot x Lancer. This wonderful huge flower is a firework of colors and magnificence of forms. You must admit that the plant is a real miracle in a flowerpot. Also this green person is an excellent "model". The flower of Paph. Velvet Spot x Lancer is very photogenic:

Paphiopedilum Velvet Spot x Lancer

I think that plants are food for imagination. When l admire the flower I imagine a medieval castle. I hear sounds of a lute and a harp, I enjoy creations of minstrels. Blooming Paphiopedilum Velvet Spot x Lancer looks like a noble knight. The flower has a big white top petal with a yellow center and unusual vinaceous patterns. Another petals of this orchid and the labellum are dark red with green-yellow borders. Also two lateral petals have a patterns at the bottom. This Lady slipper orchid has got the light green leaves.

Paph. Velvet Spot x Lancer is starting to bloom

Paphiopedilum Velvet Spot x Lancer care is similar to another hybrid Paphiopedilums care. The Lady slipper orchid doesn't need bright light. It can grow at a shading place. This plant prefers humid air, regular watering and draught protect. A hybrid Paph. isn't a capricious houseplant. Even the beginners can cultivate this beautiful orchid.


On the pictures: The orchids in The Flo Orchidarium.The photos were taken by me.

Paphiopedilum Lippewunder hybrid care

Do you like big slippers? Don't say "No"! I'm going to show you Paphiopedilum Lippewunder hybrid. It's an amazing Lady slipper orchid with a huge flower. A Paphiopedilum Lippewunder hybrid 's "shoe" is glossy, colorful and chic. I call this flower "the pirate who laugh" because its labellum resembles the smile of a sea robber. Please, look at the photo:

The orchid who laugh

Flowers of this paphiopedilum are green-yellow with a big labellum and dark red stripes and patterns. Orchid sellers often publish this paphiopedilum's photos with a ruler that to show size of the phyto-slippers. Flowers of Paph. Lippewunder hybrid may reach 7,87 inches (20 centimetres)! I have taken photos of this orchid without a ruler. However the flower is a giant, indeed:

Paphiopedilum Lippewunder hybrid

If you want to buy this orchid in a orchidarium or in a flower shop you have to know that Paphiopedilum Lippewunder hybrid care is not difficult. Slipper orchids lovers say that this hybrid plant adapt to home conditions very easy. Also this lovely plant grows fast. This information is a motivation to buying of this Paph., isn't it?

 Paph. Lippewunder hybrid is a nice and gorgeous orchid

The orchid prefers bright diffuse light, humid air and room temperature. We must use soft and warm water for watering this flower. Also we have to protect it from draught. A right soil for this paphiopedilum is small chunks of bark. You may add coco chips to this soil as well.


On the pictures: The orchid in The Flo Orchidarium. I'm author of the photos. 

How to root a vanilla orchid: Let's grow Vanilla planifolia from cuttings

Vanilla planifolia (a vanilla orchid) is an amazing tropical vine with big fragrant flowers. We can grow this gorgeous plant indoor. Even we can get vanilla gardens on our windowsills. Vanilla planifolia propagate from cuttings. Today I'm going to tell you about how to root a vanilla orchid.

A Vanilla planifolia variegata's cutting with a root. It's ready for planting.

Experts recommend to root the plant in a soil. We should make a mini hothouse and locate a green friend there. But this way isn't easy for amateurs. Unfortunately, we can make a mistake and a cutting will rot. However one of plant lovers told me about a simple method of a vanilla orchid rooting. It's rooting in vessel of water. In this case you need water, a glass and patience.

1. Take a glass of boiled water and deep a cutting there. (You may use even a plastic glass). Attention!  Only a part of the stem can be in the fluid. The leaves should not be in water or else a vanilla orchid may rot. 

Vanilla planifolia variegata

2. Locate it at a light place.

3. Add water to the glass from time to time.

4. Wait for a root. 

A root doesn't rot.

That's all!

It's very easy, indeed.

When a root grows to 1,5-2 inches (4-5 centimeters) you may plant out the orchid. My consultant recommends to use coco coir.

P.S. I got my small vanilla orchid's cutting 3 months ago. (It is lovely Vanilla planifolia variegata with variegated leaves). The plant had no roots. I've kept my "phyto-pet" in a plastic glass of water. True, the top became black in the month before last. 


I cut a bad part of stem. Lately my Vanilla planifolia variegata feels fine. The cutting has a good "white tail" and ready for planting.