Cymbidium bud drop

[landesign]

I am a new cymbidium orchid grower in Wisconsin. My orchid was outside until the frost and then in the coolest room in my house - 60's during the day and 50's at night. It was fertilized according to directions from a local orchid grower. It has had a flower spike with 14 buds for about 2 months but none have opened. Once it made the buds it seemed to be just sitting there and I moved it into a warmer room, though it gets down to the low 60's at night. I water once a week with rain water. The stem of the buds is turning yellow and today the bottom bud dropped off without opening. Any suggestions? How long does it normally take for the buds to open?

[christina waines]

I would suggest it could be that the plant is too warm in the room you've moved it too or more likely the plant doesn't have the energy to open the flowers because it wasn't getting enough food. You mentioned watering with rain water but didn't mention how much fertilizer or how often you Feed. Cymbidiums need to be well fertilized

[landesign]

Thank you for your reply. I fertilized 1 tsp 30-10-10/per gallon every other watering Feb-July and then 1 tsp 10-30-20/gallon every other watering August until the spike started growing in November per the instructions fron Orchids by the Ackers who are located in Madison, WI. I put a wet towel over the register as well to increase the humidty.

[camille1585]

Cyms like coolish temperatures while they form their buds. To avoid bud blast the plant has to stay in a cool room until the flowers start to open, and then move it to enjoy the blooms. I think you moved yours too early and the spike did not like the change in growing conditions. I learned that the hard way last year, and this year there is no signs of stikes coming any time soon.
Now you have to wait an entire year to see some blooms Unless you have other spikes growing!

[Des]

Sounds to me like your plant needs more light . you might have moved it indoors too soon. Also remember when moving a cymbid to take note of which way it is facing as if you change the direction the buds will try and get back to the way they were facing and you will end up with a twisted mess. This is a good reason for leaving them outside until the flowers have "set". If it is too cold outside You might have to provide some extra lighting indoors . Hope this helps.
Des Gillespie

[orchids3]

We experience Bud drop outdoors in Florida on some plants. A sudden or early rise in temperature is the cause. Those of us who grow warm growing cymbidiums recognize two types of warmth tollerance. Those that initiate spikes even with our warm summers and those that hold their buds even in warm conditions.