What Are the Causes of Bud Blast on the Phalaenopsis?

Temperature

• Since the Phalaenopsis plant usually grows indoors, temperatures are normally stabilized at a certain level over time. The Phalaenopsis orchid can grow in cooler conditions, but it does best when daytime temperatures are a little bit warmer and nighttime features a significant drop from the daytime temperature. Specifically, the impact that temperature can have on Phalaenopsis problems resulting in bud blast relates to the temperature shift from day to night. The plant needs a decline in temperature around 10 degrees when the night comes on to initiate blooming of buds. In some homes, particularly those with central air conditioning systems, there may be no such decline in temperature overnight.

Irrigation

• Rather than watering the Phalaenopsis plant once or even twice a day, it is best that the owner give it a constant water source. The orchid should set down in a shallow pan filled with a couple inches of water, which should be refilled as needed. In addition to providing a constant source of water, the owner should fill a household spray bottle with water and spray the plant lightly on occasion throughout the day. For shorter periods of time the plant may thrive on a once-daily watering; but in the long run, keeping humidity levels slightly up and giving the plant constant access to water will eliminate chances of Phalaenopsis bud blast due to irrigation issues.

Light

• Too much light can stunt the progress of a Phalaenopsis plant in general, and it can cause buds that would otherwise bloom to die prematurely. Ideal conditions involve a good source of sunlight, but that sunlight should not be direct. Direct sunlight will put a strain on the plant. Owners stand the best chance of eliminating the possibility of Phalaenopsis problems by setting the plant beside a window in the house that receives direct sunlight only for a small amount of time during the day. If the plant can be set only in a window that receives direct sunlight, you should shade that window from the outside.

Thrips

• There are a few pests that can cause Phalaenopsis problems, but the one that can most directly contribute to bud blast is the thrip. Several types of thrips that cause issues for orchids are the greenhouse thrip, the Cuban lauren thrip, the flower thrip and the western flower thrip. They feed on both the interior of orchid buds and flowers that have already begun to bloom. If thrips manage to get to buds before they bloom, the buds will almost certainly die before they have even formed. A gardener might see thrips crawling around on buds, but without a magnifying glass you might not see them. Aside from picking thrips away when they are seen, a gardener can apply an insecticide to eliminate the problem.