My Orchid Blooms Are Drying Up

Over-watering

• The most common cause of withering buds is over-watering. Most orchids need to be watered only once a week. Your planter needs to have drainage holes in the bottom. This provides the roots with the moisture they need while allowing the medium surrounding the them to drain and dry thoroughly between watering.

Changes in Environment

• Your orchid has experienced many changes in its environment by the time it reaches your home. Raised in ideal conditions in a professional greenhouse, it is then packed and loaded onto a truck. The truck is dark and can be cold or hot. The plant is then displayed on a store shelf, usually far away from a window and watering can be erratic. The impact of these factors might not be apparent until you bring it home.The orchid can look healthy when you purchase it and then quickly drop its buds when you bring it home.

Air Pollutants

• Air pollutants have an adverse effect on orchids. Ethylene gas is a colorless, odorless gas emitted by your gas stove's pilot light and by ripening fruit. This gas tells an orchid that it has been pollinated causing the buds to drop before they have opened. Cigarette smoke, room fresheners and aerosol sprays pollute the air which can affect your plant. Keep your orchid's air free of these pollutants.

Insufficient Lighting

• Orchids are hungry for light. They need 12 to 14 hours of sunlight to thrive and if the light is insufficient, their buds wither and drop prematurely. While orchids cannot tolerate direct sunlight, they do need bright indirect sun. If it is not available naturally, orchids are perfectly happy when placed under an artificial light source. Hang two long florescent bulbs about 6 to 8 inches above the plants to supplement or replace natural sunlight. A growth light for plants will work as well.