Question
Hello,

I live in Miami Beach and have always had orchids hanging from baskets under my large mango tree and coconut palms.  I have had good luck and had nice blossoms.  For the last several months, all variety of orchids have been sending out buds, but they dry up and very early on, before developing very far.  The only thing I can think of would be that they are getting more sun than usually, due to the fact that the hurricanes last season wiped out quite a bit of the shade that there used to be in my back yard.

What is the problem & what should I do?
Thank you,
Eric  

Answer
In the northern latitudes, lack of humidty and/or cold can cause drying of the buds.  If you have had an atypical cold snap, that could have been the culprit.  Otherwise, it may well be that the brighter light is heating the buds too much and causing this.  Try putting the plants where they get only morning sun and/or buy some shade cloth (50 percent is fine) and hang it above the plants so some or all of your plants have that additional shade during the afternoon.