New orchid buds are a sign of reward. They have been dating for almost a yeartaking care of your orchidand an inflorescence has formed. As an avid orchid lover, you are excited to see the new orchid blossoms with all their bright and exotic colors. Out of the blue, the first orchid bud turns yellow, dries up and falls off. Not only does it stop growing, it simply gives up on life - without any signals. No warning signs, no indication of change, nothing... Then the second orchid bud wilts and dies for no reason. What should you do? Why does the orchid drop its buds?
Orchid flowers fall off before they bloom?
This is called “Bud Blast” in English and occurs when the orchid cannot adapt to abrupt environmental changes and thereforeflower growth stopsto save energy. These changes can involve temperature, light, humidity, watering, environment, or even disease. To prevent the rest of the buds from dying, you need to determine the cause and treat it soon. Below you will find the most common causes of dried orchid buds.
Orchid buds turn yellow due to changes in the environment
Like any houseplant, orchids sense the changes in their environment. It is normal for an orchid to lose its buds immediately after purchase. Orchids also react to chemicals and pollutants in the air. These include, for example:
- Tobacco smoke
- Lackfarbe
- Overripe fruit
- Stagnant moist air
Temperature changes as a cause of dried orchid buds
Sudden drastic temperature changes are the most common cause of dried buds in orchids. For example, if you transported the orchid in the car in the winter after buying it and then brought it into the house when the temperatures weren't quite as pleasant. If your orchid gets a blast of cold, icy air through an open window, it's enough to shock its "fight-or-flight" response system, causing the orchid buds to dry up and fall off.
Overwatering or lack of water
Overwatering is usually not a cause of dried buds if you always water the orchid the same way. Sometimes when a new orchid grower sees the first bud, they get excited and want to provide “more care.” So water more, mist more, move closer to the light… you get the idea.
Cattleya orchids are more sensitive to overwatering than other orchids. It leads to root rot and brown buds.
Lack of water is another problem when it comes to watering. In this case, the orchid draws water from the buds and keeps it closer to the roots.
Incorrect light/heat causes dried buds
Light and warmth go hand in hand. Sometimes it's not the light that causes theOrchid the budsbut rather the excessive heat that comes with the light. Too much sun can cause the delicate orchid bud to “cook” in its protective covering and later fall off.
Even if there is not enough light, the orchid produces a flower stalk and forms small buds. But due to the poor lighting conditions, the orchid realizes this was a mistake and the flowers will not open.
Orchids drop buds due to lack of humidity
During bud formation, orchids need more moisture than usual. They are more sensitive to changes in humidity, so the percentage should be increased gradually until the flower blooms.
If an orchid is located near an air conditioning or heating system, additional moisture is particularly important. It is almost impossible for the orchid to develop healthily there.
Orchid loses buds due to pests
Orchid buds can dry up and fall off even for reasons that have nothing to do with sudden changes,like pests. Thripsand aphids can cause orchid buds to die before blooming. Buds are naturally juicy because they retain moisture, and they are tender. The perfect meal for these beasts.
If the pests eat the buds, they can still open, but unnatural flowers appear that are deformed. Most of the time you can't get rid of the insects before significant damage is done and the bud falls off.
Any orchid treatment needs time to heal, and in the case of a budding orchid, time is of the essence. Repeat the insecticide treatment a week after the first application to ensure no more insects hatch. If the problem is not treated, the orchid not only loses its buds but also runs the risk of dying as the insects continue to eat and destroy the orchid. You can find out more about diseases affecting orchidsread here.
