Reasons why orchid flowers fall off and what to do

An orchid can drop its flowers for many reasons—a change in habitat, lighting issues, unsuitable temperature, or improper care. This is the first sign that something is wrong and requires treatment. Orchids bloom for about four months, after which the buds begin to fall off on their own. However, if this happens prematurely, it's time to worry. In this case, it's worth analyzing any care errors and identifying the cause of the orchid's flower drop.

Age and lighting

Even if a plant is well cared for, that doesn't mean it will bloom forever. If a phalaenopsis is over seven years old, even with additional fertilizer, its blooming period will be reduced to two months. Therefore, it's best to buy orchids only from flower shops, where you can inquire about their age. Large supermarkets won't be able to tell, so you'll have to rely on the plant's appearance. If an orchid has already dropped its buds, it's nearing the end of its development. However, it's important to remember that flowers are also subject to the natural aging process.

She tries to bloom until the end of her lifespan, but she simply does not have enough strength for full development and therefore the flower:

• throws out an arrow;
• forms buds;
• and then dries up without even having time to bloom.

If you have been careful with the care, but the flowers are still falling off, then it’s time to remember how old the orchid is.

If your orchid is dropping unopened buds, it's possible there's insufficient lighting in the room. When buying a plant from a store, keep in mind that the lighting there is usually better, and if you move the plant to a new location after purchase, the flowers may fall off. Much less light will reach the plant if it's placed far from a window, and even tulle can block sunlight, especially in winter. Therefore, a suitable location should be chosen in advance to avoid stressing the plant and causing it to drop. If there's insufficient light, the plant's flowers will fall off, followed by buds that wilt.

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Temperature and humidity

Orchids are tropical plants that thrive in humid climates and thrive in warmth, but they don't tolerate dry air. Therefore, the room where the plant is kept should be ventilated occasionally, but with extreme caution. In summer, things are much simpler, and the orchid can simply be placed on the balcony or outside.

Overheating can occur if the orchid is too close to a heater. In this case, it should be moved to the opposite side of the windowsill or placed elsewhere. However, allowing such a delicate plant to become too cold is also undesirable, as this will cause the leaves to drop. This can happen if the room is cold or if the air is simply ventilated for a few minutes, and the orchid is caught in a draft. Therefore, the room should be carefully ventilated, especially in winter, to avoid any negative consequences for the orchid.

If all of your orchid's buds have fallen off, dry air may be the cause. Where it's native, humidity levels hover around 60%. To maintain this level, you'll need a humidifier or place some damp sand near the orchid. Sunlight causes moisture to evaporate, leading to increased humidity around the plant. However, you can increase humidity simply by misting it with filtered water from a spray bottle. In this case, be careful not to let any moisture drip onto the leaves or buds, as this will cause them to rot.

If the soil in the orchid's container is constantly dry, it's due to insufficient watering, but if it's overwatered, it's due to too much watering:

1. Incorrect watering First of all, it will affect the roots of the plant, which will begin to dry out or rot depending on watering.
2. The surviving part of the root system will not be able to provide the flower with everything that would help it develop normally.
3. The plant will begin to distribute moisture from the flowers and buds into the stem and leaves, as a result of which the former will have nothing left for further flowering and the plant will gradually dry out.

Experienced gardeners determine the time for the next watering by feel. When you touch the soil, it should be slightly moist, but never dry or overly wet. An important detail in the watering process is that the water should be warm.

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Flowers and buds sometimes become sunburned. In summer, the plant is constantly at risk of wilting, as the root system sometimes doesn't receive the required amount of water and dehydration sets in.

Stress and injury

A change in normal conditions can also cause an orchid's blooms to drop. In this case, the flower should be returned to its original location or an attempt should be made to recreate the conditions it had before the move, as this will help it revive and bloom again. This is why orchids are not moved, and they are generally left alone during flowering. Poor access to light and unsuitable air temperatures can also stress the plant and cause blooming.

If your phalaenopsis is losing buds, you can place fruits and vegetables nearby. They contain ethylene gas, which is beneficial for growth and promotes faster bud opening. A cut bouquet can have a similar effect, as it gradually begins to wilt.

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The reason orchids drop their flowers is because their flowering period ends too quickly, and the plant subsequently wilts. To prevent this accelerated aging from happening again, avoid placing apples and other fruits and vegetables near phalaenopsis.

The cause may be articles and damage:

1. Brown and black spots appear on flowers and buds if they are caught.
2. The leaves can be damaged during transportation, if the pot accidentally falls or if pets find the plant.
3. Due to such damage, the leaves of the flower turn yellow and the flower itself dries up.

You need to carefully monitor the orchid and protect it from injury, because nothing can be done with damaged parts, and the only thing left to do is cut them off.

Pests and infectious diseases

If treatment is not started promptly, there is a risk that the plant will die from pests or infectious diseases. Orchid growers should be aware that fungal spores cling to hands and clothing and are airborne.

Therefore, when this disease appears, the plant should be isolated from other flowers and treated. Common causes of orchid flower drop include various types of rot and pests:

1. Gray mold occurs in young plants, covering their leaves with brown spots. This problem is caused by overwatering and low temperatures.
2. Black rot covers the trunk with black spots. When an orchid is just starting to get sick, it can still be cured by trimming the damaged roots and sprinkling the cut areas with wood ash. But if the spots are extensive, the plant is beyond saving and will need to be removed to prevent the infection from spreading to other orchids.
3. Brown rot covers the leaves with brown spots and rots the roots. This problem occurs due to overwatering and high temperatures. As a preventative measure, the plant can be repotted and simply cared for.
4. Mealybugs are pests caused by parasitic infestations. They can be identified by the appearance of the leaves and root system. Special or folk remedies can help get rid of them. Additionally, there are several preventative measures that will protect the plant from pests in the future.

https://youtu.be/28gY_e2caDE

Pests and various infectious diseases always harm orchids. When they appear, the most important thing is to save yellowed leaves and roots. To preserve the orchid's strength before and after treatment, many gardeners recommend cutting off the flowering stems, as much energy is expended on blooming when the flower should be recovering. To protect the orchid from future diseases, it needs comfortable conditions and careful care, which will strengthen the plant's immune system. When a flower becomes ill, you should be concerned about the entire plant, not just the fact that all the flowers have fallen off. This approach will save the orchid, and it will bloom again.

Methods of preventing and saving the peduncle

If an orchid has dropped its flowers, what to do next depends on the cause and accompanying symptoms:

1. When there is a lack of sunlight in autumn and winter, fluorescent lamps are installed, which can artificially extend daylight hours.
2. If the green roots have turned gray and there's no condensation on the sides of the orchid container, the plant needs watering. The key is to avoid overwatering or allowing the soil to dry out.
3. If the stem has turned yellow and the plant has become overheated, move it to a location away from heating appliances. This will protect the orchid from dry air.
4. If the room where the plant is located experiences high temperatures, it is essential to mist it. Periodically misting the entire stem will help prevent the plant from drying out.
5. Avoid leaving the orchid in direct sunlight, as this will cause sunburn on the leaves. It's best to place the plant in a shaded area or shield it from bright light with reflective paper.

Fertilizer is equally important for every flower growing in a pot. Without additional feeding, they won't receive the necessary nutrients for development and won't bloom—they won't have the energy to do so. Fertilizing is necessary when the flower begins to develop green leaves and sends out a flower stalk. If the orchid is dropping buds, fertilize as follows:

• leave it in water for a while so that the beneficial components are absorbed into the root system as best as possible;
• then dilute the fertilizer in water and keep it in this solution for another 20 minutes;
• After the time has elapsed, remove the container and allow the water to drain.

https://youtu.be/spUz77oBQ1I

Phalaenopsis doesn't like this, so drain the solution whenever it appears. Fertilize the plant with root fertilizer every couple of weeks, and use foliar fertilizer in between, but it's not recommended to use both at the same time. If used correctly and according to the instructions, fallen buds will be replaced with new ones.

Anyone who wants to buy a phalaenopsis immediately becomes a fan of this plant, and some gardeners even collect different varieties. If the necessary conditions aren't met, the buds will soon fall off. To prevent the phalaenopsis from shedding its last leaves, it needs careful care, and then the orchid will become more and more luxuriant.

The reasons why orchids drop flowers have been identified, as well as how to predict them. To ensure the plant blooms again, you need to follow the care instructions: provide adequate lighting, water and fertilize regularly, and keep it in comfortable conditions.