Things have been so hectic around here lately (family friends came to Florida for a visit) that I’ve gotten a bit behind in answering my orchid care emails.
So, rather than respond to everyone individually, I figured I could respond to emails right here on the blog.
Today’s Orchid Care and Maintenance Question is from Sheila in upstate New York.
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Question: My orchid flower buds shrivel and fall off my orchids before they open? Why?
Answer:
Great question Sheila! Healthy orchid plants that have buds fall off the stem before they have a chance to open are suffering from “bud blast”. This can be caused due to rapid changes in environment and even air pollutants such as smoke, paint thinner or aerosol sprays and ethylene gas that is released from ripening fruit.
Are you moving your orchid around the house daily? Is there a cold or hot draft that might be affecting it? Or is it sitting on the kitchen table near your fruit bowl?
You can read a bit more about how temperature changes affect orchids in my earlier post: Orchid Flowers and Bud Blast.
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Have an orchid related question you’d like me to answer? Send me an email! Check out the Contact Carol tab above for more info.
Don’t forget to sign up for Free Orchid Care Tips with my pal Ryan.
Warmest wishes from sunny Florida,
Carol 
The Orchid Care Lady
Tags: Caring for Orchids, Orchid Care, Orchid Care and Maintenance Tips, Problems, Temperature
Hi my fiance got me my first orchid, and i dont knw how to take care of it. How do i take care of my first orchid?
07.21.11 at 2:36 pm