Why do Phalaenopsis orchids drop their buds?
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Question: I have a pot of Phalaenopsis orchid at home. It finally had flower buds in winter, but unfortunately, the beautiful moment didn't last long. After a short while, the flower buds dropped one after another. I don't know the reason. I feel very disappointed. Please advise.
Answer: Phalaenopsis orchids have not been cultivated in our country for a long time. It has only been a few years since people started to pot them at home. Due to their large flowers, bright colors, and long blooming period, they have become popular and are now being grown at home. The growth of Phalaenopsis orchids requires high environmental, humidity, and temperature conditions. It is already a difficult task to get them to sprout and produce flower buds in southern regions. Regrettably, when the flower buds are about to bloom, they drop instead of opening, which is quite disappointing. Based on the description in your letter, the possible reasons for early bud drop may include the following three points.
Firstly, the indoor temperature is not enough. From autumn to winter, the temperature required for Phalaenopsis orchids to go from budding to flowering is generally above 15°C. If the temperature is insufficient, it is easy for the leaves to turn yellow or for the buds to drop.
Secondly, the moisture level of the potting soil is not proper. When Phalaenopsis orchids are budding and growing flower buds, they only need to be slightly moist. Avoid overwatering and frequent watering, as excessively wet soil can easily cause bud drop. However, the humidity of the circulating air can be higher, and some water can be sprinkled on the ground at noon when the temperature is high.
Thirdly, apart from the above two points, a more important factor is insufficient nutrition. Phalaenopsis orchids require a large amount of fertilizer to bloom each time. After flowering, they should be fertilized with a nitrogen-based fertilizer every 7-10 days when growing new leaves. In autumn and winter, when growing flower stems and budding, they should be fertilized with a phosphorus-potassium-based fertilizer every half month. Before flowering, they should also be top-dressed with a thin fertilizer 1-2 times. If the nutrition is insufficient, it is easy for the flower buds to drop from bottom to top, from large to small, and fail to bloom.
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