cymbidium bud-drop

Barbara Sargent wrote:
This is the first time that almost all the buds have
 dropped from my cymbidium without flowering. The only
 thing different this year was that I sprayed the
 developing flower stalks and buds with dish detergent and
 some eucalyptus oil because they were being decimated by
 aphids which had been encouraged by ants. The aphid
 problem was solved.

Do you think my method disturbed the bud formation or was
 this coincidental?

I don't know the variety but the flowers are yellow - the
 larger variety.

Years ago I worked in a commercial cymbidium nursery in Santa Cruz, and from our careful cultivation practices, I would venture that, yes, your method disturbed the buds.
If your aren't into systemic chemicals(guessing from your soap/ oil concotion), I would suggest elimination of the ants first and hand-picking the aphids.  For some special potted plants it might be worth the ants stakes and granular systemic fertilizer/aphid killer combo, at least for one year to get the infestation under control.  Better luck next year!
          Karrie Reid, Folsom
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