QuestionI just bought 2 beautiful Phalaenopsis plants with flowers and lots of buds of all sizes. After 5 days, I've noticed all the end buds from both plants have turned yellow and wrinkled. These are the tiny 1-2mm size buds, whereas the larger buds (1cm) remains green and the flowers are looking good. I think the yellow buds are dead and I am devastated but they have not fallen off (yet?). I can't think of what can be wrong expect perhaps the room is too bright. It's in a room with a wall of windows north east facing, could this be the reason? The leaves are fine, lighter green rather than dark but looks healthy. I am worried that it will spread to the whole plant. Is there anything I can do to rescue the yellow tiny buds?
AnswerHello Winnie,
If the unopened buds have yellowed, I'm afraid they are goners. While I cannot be sure why they died prematurely, I can make some suggestions as to the cause. Fair enough?
A northeast window exposure did not cause it unless you live in the Southern Hemisphere. Phals need bright indirect sunlight with a little early morning sun being okay. The question I have for you is whether there are some fruits near it. If there are, that probably is what caused the buds to die as ripening fruits emit ethylene gas which is fatal to buds and could affect the flowers. If you notice the flowers starting to wilt also, either move the orchids or move the fruits.
Some other possibilities are dry air or lack of humidity, exposure to sudden air movement from a ventilation vent (heater or a/c), sudden changes in temperature greater than 10F, the potting mix being kept constantly wet. These are the usual causes for premature bud and flower death, check to see if one or more of them are present.
The buds dying probably will not cause any harm to the plants themselves but prolonged exposure to what caused them to die can cause a slow death to the phals. If you find one or more of the problems I suggested, get back to me and I'll tell you what to do to fix it.
Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.
