Question
QUESTION: Hi Jim,  I bought a white moth orchid 2 weeks ago, and it had 4 flowers in bloom and 3 or 4 healthy buds.  After a few days, the lowest flower started to wilt and the others started to follow. Now all flowers and their spikes have just dropped off, including some unopened buds. The actual stem seems green and healthy, and there are 4 leaves, 2 of which seem a little healthier. I have it by a window where the shades are drawn so the light is filtered, and the room temperature is in the higher 60s during the day. What has happened to my orchid - am I somehow killing it?  I should also say it is in a moss potting mix and it still seems damp enough that I haven't watered it since getting it. Thanks for any advice.
ANSWER: Hi Helena,

Sorry to hear your moth orchid has a problem.  While I cannot be certain about this, my suspicion is that you may have some fruits near it.  Ripening fruits emit ethylene gas as they ripen and it is fatal to flowers and buds.  If there are fruits nearby, either move them or the orchid.  

Since the stem still appears to be alive, leave it alone until you see it slowly turn brown from the tip downward.  If you are lucky, it may grow taller and produce some new buds.  I'll keep my fingers crossed that this happens.  (grin)  If the tip starts to turn brown, go down the stem to where the lowest flower had been, go down further until you come to a bump then go back up about an inch and cut the top part of the stem off.  If all goes well, it will produce a secondary flower stem from the bump.  Be patient as this can take from 3 to 6 weeks and another 2 to 3 months before it flowers.  

I have to admit that I am not a fan of moss as a potting material.  Moss tends to hold a lot of water for a very long time which can be deadly to the roots, causing them to rot.  Moss is good for people who tend to not water very often as it can still be fairly moist after 2 or more weeks.  Also, moss breaks down fairly quickly and should be replaced every 6 months, a year at most.  

Hope this helped.  If you have other questions, write back and I'll try to help with them.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your help, Jim. The orchid was actually sitting next to another plant, a clivia miniata. I have since moved it. Could another plant cause something similar? It looks like there is something growing at the tip so I'll keep my fingers crossed that it is a couple of new buds and that I won't need to cut the stem! Thanks again.

Answer
Hi Helena,

I am not sure if being next to the Clivia caused the flowers and buds to blast (die), but it might if the flowers are fragrant.  I'm not familiar with Clivias as I've never grown one, although my wife keeps telling me how lovely they look.  I am such a terrible husband for not getting one for her!  (grin)  

With both our fingers crossed, I hope it is enough to get it to produce some new buds.  I'd cross my toes too but that would make walking a little difficult.  (grin)  

Good luck!!!  

Jim