Why do orchids fade flowers and buds? Overview of the reasons, tips for solving the problem

For a long time, the exotic beauty delights everyone with its attractive, amazing flowering.

Once again, this long-awaited time came, the buds appeared, and then the trouble - they began to fade, fall away. Unfortunately, this phenomenon occurs in leaves, flowers.

Why does this happen and what to do if one flower wilted or even suddenly became listless, everything quickly became simultaneously - we will analyze in the article. And also we will tell you how to avoid such phenomena and conduct competent prevention.

How long does flowering last?

Having bought an orchid with blossoming flowers in the store, it is not immediately clear: how long the process has already taken and how much is left. therefore it is better to purchase a plant with buds.

The duration of flowering varies from 1-10 months. It all depends on the variety, growing conditions. On average, an adult exot blooms for about 3 months in a row, and a young one for 1 month. Thus, the orchid may well bloom several times a year, and in the intervals - to recover.

For example, common phalaenopsis blooms year-round. Cymbidium - from October to February, and then also in the summer. Dendrobium blooms in October and lasts until January.

What is wilting?

The wilting process means the loss of stiffness, elasticity of leaves or flowers. In this case, the leaves become like a rag, turgor disappears, they are soft dark green in color. The upper parts of the flower, young shoots, stems lean down. Growth stops, the flower decreases in size. It is especially a shame if the buds fade. In this case, emergency measures should be taken to prevent similar events in the future.

When is this process not natural?

There is no eternal flowering in nature. Consequently, wilting, and after falling off the flowers is a natural process. Inflorescences of one variety delight the eye for two to three weeks, others for several months. Determining when the aging period started is easy: flowers fade gradually, the first blooms begin. Fall mainly from the bottom of the peduncle. The natural aging process is gradual, and if the flowers wilted all at once, then something is wrong here.

Causes

From what on your favorite orchid during flowering period leaves wither and fall off? To determine the root of the problem, you need to figure it out.

• Root system overheating. Orchids come from the tropics, it is not surprising that they love warmth. However, everything is good in moderation. Do not leave the plant in direct sunlight, near a heating radiator in the winter, or under a stream of hot air from the air conditioner. An increase in soil temperature entails the evaporation of moisture.

  And further down the chain, the root system did not get the right amount of fluid, and accordingly the leaves and flowers were not saturated with useful substances. This process can happen in a matter of hours.

• Lack of lighting or sunburn. In the autumn-winter season, daylight is not enough. Orchids typically need a 14-hour light day. And without additional lighting, the flowers begin to fade, turn yellow, fall off. However, bright lighting can play a cruel joke. Scorching sunlight on a hot day leaves burns on leaves and inflorescences.
• Wrong watering. Lack of fluid can occur when there is no watering at all. A plant needs a minimum amount of water, which dissolves the minerals found in the soil and nourishes the root system. Nor is excessive hydration a serious problem. An orchid damaged by rot begins to lose foliage. Following the leaves, blossoming flowers and buds fade and crumble.
• Insect damage. Pests are another problem for orchids. For example, a mealybug prefers buds and blooming flowers. He eats juice, thereby sucking life-giving moisture. Externally, the insect looks like a little white ball of cotton wool.
• Low humidity. High air temperature and low humidity are dangerous parameters for the life of the plant. Moisture rather quickly evaporates through the leaves, and the roots do not have time to nourish in time. There is a process of wilting, and after the drying of leaves, flowers, root system. The maximum humidity level is 30-40%.
• Hypothermia. Quite often, wilting occurs as a result of cold air entering the leaves. For example, when transporting a plant from the store home, when the foliage comes in contact with glass, when the window is frost -16 ° C. It is dangerous if before that the orchid was poured or sprayed with water. Hypothermia also provokes the discharge of buds and flowers. But do not despair, this phenomenon is short-lived.
• Draft. Daily ventilation positively affects the condition of the orchid. But airing and draft are two different things. Draft is dangerous even to people, not to mention plants. A cold stream of air can cause flaccid flowers.

  Reference! It is not advised to carry out ventilation if you just watered or sprinkled the plant.

• Stress. A sudden change of residence for orchids is a kind of shock. After all, at the same time, lighting, temperature, humidity changes. And the plants immediately react to such changes. At first, the flower can stop flowering, lose buds, but then everything will work out. It takes time to adapt.

The following is an informative video about the reasons why buds are wilting orchids:

What is better to handle: folk or chemical means

A symptom of falling flowers and buds of an orchid may be due to the appearance of an unwanted guest. Powdery Cinnamon - a harmful insect of small size, up to 5 mm, oval. On infected surfaces leaves a thin cobweb, a sticky trace. Fighting him is difficult, but possible. If there is minor damage on the flower, that is, the infection is in the initial stages, then folk remedies will help:

• soap solution;
• tinctures on citrus peels, garlic, calendula;
• onion;
• essential oils.

At later stages, it can not cope without chemistry, copper sulfate and similar fungicides. Sure, folk methods are simple to perform, neither toxic nor harmful, but not always effective.

Further, a visual video with an example of how to get rid of a mealybug with the help of laundry soap:

What if only the blossoming flowers became lethargic?

Before deciding on the most radical measures, you need to check all the options.

1. Remove the flower from a sunny place or shade the scorching light.
2. In winter, cover the radiators with heating, if the pot is placed on the windowsill.
3. Avoid getting draft.
4. Increase humidity with a household humidifier.
5. If there are visible signs of drying out, try watering the plant.
6. Check the flower for harmful insects. Are there sticky traces left by powdery mildew?

If everyone tried and to no avail, there may be a problem in waterlogging the soilthen it follows:

1. Extract flower from pot.
2. Rinse the roots under running water.
3. Remove damaged areas, treat sections with an antiseptic.
4. Leave to dry overnight.
5. Transplant the orchid in a new soil and a good drainage layer.
6. Water only after the soil has dried.

What if the buds fall without opening?

Orchid buds wither without blooming. Any florist can face a similar problem. Having dealt with the causes of this phenomenon, it is worth looking for ways out of a difficult situation.

Next stage - inspection of the plant for infection with fungal diseases or damage by pests:

1. Sanitize the trimmer.
2. Get the flower out of the pot.
3. Soak the roots in warm, clear water.
4. Carefully inspect and touch all the roots.
5. Trim damaged, soft, dry areas with a cooked, sharp tool.
6. Treat slices with an antiseptic that does not contain alcohol (ground cinnamon, powdered activated carbon).
7. To kill or to prevent infections, treat the flower with a fungicide.
8. Put the orchid in a new pot, it should be transparent and slightly cramped.
9. Mandatory presence of a drainage layer.
10. Sprinkle the plant with a new, mineral-enriched soil.
11. You can fertilize after 2 weeks.

Prevention

To avoid such unpleasant situations is possible only with proper care of the orchid.

• Maintaining a comfortable temperature in summer: + 22-25ºС, in winter + 16-18ºС. The difference in temperature differences should not exceed 5ºС.
• Lighting is required diffused, with a daylight duration of 14 hours. In summer, intense sunlight needs to be shaded.
• Humidity within 50-60%. Be sure to regularly ventilate the room.
• Water once a week, in between the soil should completely dry.
• Fertilize orchids 2 times a month. Top dressing should be used with a predominant content of potassium and iron.
• Do not spray the flower during flowering.

Orchid has many varieties and species. Extraordinary beauty conquered the hearts of millions of people around the globe. But with the wrong approach, flowering can not wait. Give the plant love, care, and learn to understand it.

Watch the video: Orchid Problems - What is bud blast and what causes it? (May 2024).