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Orchid Bud Blast: Short Course

Hey! No big deal, it happens all the time. But it's a bummer! Being a commercial orchid dealer, I hear about it all the time - almost as often as a doctor hears about cold symptoms. And generally, I know the cause and can provide an accurate explanation as to why it happened. Sometimes I can even tell you how to avoid it from happening again. I frankly can't think of any genera of orchid that's immune to this depressing little phenomena. And it's happened to most all of us mortals.

Orchid Bud Blast Close-up

I'll start right off by getting you off the hook and the 'pangs of guilt' you may be suffering. The fact is, dropping buds are not always the result of you doing something wrong. It's usually the result of a plant being shipped from one climate to another. If a budded plant were to be shipped from Hawaii to Rhode Island or vice versa, you can plan on bud drop - it's a guarantee. Only if a customer is insistent, will Wickford Orchids send a fully budded plant. And we will be equally insistent about no refund or guarantee on said plant, when a week later a few buds fall off!

One of the all-time great causes for bud drop is plants purchased from mass merchandisers. The plants being sold are first; shipped over a long distance. Secondly; they are treated rather poorly, with inadequate care upon their arrival at these stores. Buds on orchid plants are very sensitive to environmental changes and this sort of treatment is tough. I feel compelled to add that many of the plants in these stores are good stuff, but I will also say, "buyer beware!" Only the experienced eye can tell for sure.

I therefore sympathize with the first-time orchid buyer who just purchased a plant that's doomed to drop its buds through no fault of their new owner. And for the newbie or the first time buyer - this article is for you. So read on...

You say that the plant was your own, that you didn't bring it in, that you've had it all along and yet it still experienced 'the drop.' One of two things has probably occurred:

1. Low Humidity

Since many orchid owners have plants that bloom in the winter, I would suspect low humidity as the culprit. During the colder seasons we turn up the heat not only to warm ourselves but also our plants. A very noble deed! But as the air warms, the moisture is lost and general humidity drops. Although you and I may not realize it, the plants do... and if the air dries out enough - bud blast. Not to mention the sudden upswing in temperature which again may result in bud blast. Solution: Make a humidity tray large enough to accommodate the entire plant, leaves included, not just the pot.

2. Poor Root System

Another situation conducive for bud drop comes with a more subtle causative - and that is: poor root systems. This may come as a surprise to many, so let me explain the relationship. Developing buds that are actively growing, and enlarging flowers require a certain amount of nourishment and energy. They do indeed receive much of this from the storage capacity of pseudobulbs (and to an extent, leaves) but what supplies them? - Correct. the roots! Poor roots = poor flowering and bud drop. Make a special effort to develop the best root system possible through good culture. Your reason for growing orchids will be richly rewarded.

 

Happy growing,

Mike