Orchard plant disaster - Ask Extension
My orchard plant had 9 bulbs on it. They grew quite large but never blossomed. I cut it back and a new shoot appeared and the same thing happened. 6 b...
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Orchard plant disaster #869239
Asked May 20, 2024, 11:46 AM EDT
My orchard plant had 9 bulbs on it. They grew quite large but never blossomed.
I cut it back and a new shoot appeared and the same thing happened. 6 bulbs and no blossoms.
Now it has 2 bulbs at the end of the stalk and not growing. What am I doing wrong? I have good
potting soil, plenty of light and calcium from eggshells in the dirt mixture.
Sussex County Delaware
Expert Response
I asked another Master Gardener who is orchid expert and here is his reply.
"Never use potting soil. There are special orchid mixes. They are
intended to bloom once a year but can be forced with fewer blooms. If by bulbs your mean flower buds, It's unusual to have repeat blooms so frequently, you didn't mention time between each. Perhaps watering is the problem, often in an effort to sell they advise the ice cube method which I personally choose not to use. Orchids are a tropical plant."
My 2 cents worth, Phalaenopsis need nighttime temps above 60 at night and 75-85 during the day. Widely fluctuating temps will cause bud drop. High humidity between 50 & 85% is also important. Start by getting a bag of orchid mix and repotting this plant. I have attached the care and cultivation sheet for Phalaenopsis from the American Orchid Society
"Never use potting soil. There are special orchid mixes. They are
intended to bloom once a year but can be forced with fewer blooms. If by bulbs your mean flower buds, It's unusual to have repeat blooms so frequently, you didn't mention time between each. Perhaps watering is the problem, often in an effort to sell they advise the ice cube method which I personally choose not to use. Orchids are a tropical plant."
My 2 cents worth, Phalaenopsis need nighttime temps above 60 at night and 75-85 during the day. Widely fluctuating temps will cause bud drop. High humidity between 50 & 85% is also important. Start by getting a bag of orchid mix and repotting this plant. I have attached the care and cultivation sheet for Phalaenopsis from the American Orchid Society
