My orchid is about to bloom and it looks sick?
This is my first attempt to grow an orchid. I have followed the water and feeding scheduel and the blooms onit are huge!! Will i have over 12 blooms that are closed right now. Today when i came in, the blooms that are closest to the stem look like they are wilted and pale in color. One of my clients says that this is what they look like before they bloom. I am almost sick since i have put so much work into it, just to get the blooms to ahve them die. Does anyone know if this is normal, or am i doing something wrong?
If you lose the blooms something is wrong. The flowers should last at least a month, sometimes two if you’re successful in encouraging a second flower set. Info can be found here. http://hubpages.com/hub/Growing-the-Moth-Orchid
It sounds like "bud blast" where the buds dry up and drop off. They should look healthy and fleshy like a normal bud.
Try increasing the humidity. Did you move the orchid recently? Sometimes this can cause bud blast if it is moved. The humidity is different, the temps are different etc. Occasionally, a couple of buds can blast anyway, but the rest stay healthy and go on to bloom. How many have shrivelled? If it is 2 or 3 it could still be ok.