Question
Hi there I have a few questions,  hope you can help

I have 7 phalaenopsis orchids. 2 of them are flowering right now but still have a few buds that need to open,  On one of them the first flower has closed up and died and on the 2nd plant flower 1 had died and on the other side flower 1 is ok but flower 2 has closed and died,  but yet it does have buds to open still,  Is that normal ? I thought they all stayed opened in till they all died. Could you tell me why this is happening ? Smoke ? Cold ? I can't figure it out.  Also one of my new plants that I just got started to flower but the flowers don't open all the way.  I have been using schultz medium potting mix that has fir bark and horticultural charcoal is that ok to use ?  Thanks for your time hope you can help !!!


Thanks

Heather

Answer
Heather, not to worry.  The reason Phalaenopsis stay in bloom so long is precisely because of the sequential blooming.  The first flowers to open and die are the lowest on the flower spike.  As the flower spike elongates, more buds open and, further out, more buds form. Because of this, it could be in bloom for several months. Schultz medium potting mix should work well for you. On the new plant starting to flower, I would urge patience. It sometimes takes a week or more for flowers to fully open.  Congratulations on your flowering success.