Rant: my new orchid dropped all its buds after I moved it

I got a beautiful phalaenopsis orchid from a greenhouse in Portland last week. I put it on my kitchen windowsill for more light, but within two days every single bud fell off. I realized the spot was right above a heater vent and the hot, dry air shocked it. I moved it to my bathroom for more humidity and it's finally putting out a new leaf. Anyone else have a plant freak out after a simple change like that?

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3 Comments

paige2056mo ago

That's brutal, but good catch on the heater vent. Makes me wonder how much temperature swing they can actually handle. Like, if you brought it home in a cold car and then blasted it with dry heat, that's a huge shock. What was the temperature difference between the greenhouse and your kitchen?

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emery_hall6mo ago

Ugh, that's the WORST feeling. Phals are so dramatic about sudden changes. The heater vent is a classic killer, that dry heat just sucks the life right out of them. I always tell people to check for drafts, hot or cold, before they pick a spot. Your bathroom save was smart, they love that steady humidity. It's a good sign it's pushing a new leaf now, means it's settled in and happy again.

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emma_murray495mo ago

Tbh I'm the person who nearly killed a cactus with overwatering, so I'm taking notes here. My phal is in the only spot my cat can't reach, which happens to be right above a radiator. Might need to rethink my whole plant defense strategy.

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