Bud blast describes a symptom
Unopened buds that shrivel or fall are often described as bud blast. The term does not identify a single cause. First distinguish it from open flowers naturally fading at the end of their display.
Note when the losses began, whether only the smallest buds are affected and whether leaves or roots are changing too. Photograph the spike before altering several conditions at once.
Think about what changed around the plant
A journey home from a shop can involve changes in light, temperature and moisture. Moving a pot is not inherently harmful; the conditions it encounters matter. There is no need to leave it in an unsuitable place because buds have formed.
Choose a bright, sheltered location and keep subsequent changes modest. Carrying it briefly to water or inspect it is different from repeated exposure to cold or heat.
Check the temperature where the buds sit
A windowsill can become much colder overnight or hotter in direct sun than the rest of the room. Check near the plant, including early morning. Move away from doors, heating outlets and cold glass if needed.
The cooler period sometimes used to encourage a new flower spike is not a reason to chill an orchid already carrying buds.
Check the medium and the roots together
Both prolonged drying and root damage in persistently wet medium can interrupt water supply to buds. Check inside the pot before adding water. Bark and moss behave differently; a universal seven-day interval does not account for that.
If leaves are limp or the visible roots are deteriorating, follow the root checks. Do not repeatedly soak wet medium in an attempt to save flowers.
Keep ripening fruit and fumes away
Ethylene from ripening fruit and exposure to fumes can contribute to flower or bud loss. Move the orchid away from fruit bowls, smoke and exhaust. Remove decaying plant material nearby. These are possible contributors, not proof that every nearby apple caused the loss.
Very dry air can contribute
Look for direct heat first. If the room is persistently dry, a humidity reading is more useful than guessing from one bud. Avoid spraying water into buds as a remedy; wet tissue can also develop disease.
Consider salts, pests and damaged tissue
Review a recent fertiliser dose and inspect buds for tiny insects, distorted petals or wet-looking decay. Bud blast is not always a harmless environmental reaction. Separate the plant if pests or spreading disease are suspected and identify the problem before selecting a treatment.
Do not add extra feed to replace fallen buds. Correct a likely care problem and monitor the plant.
Protect the remaining buds and future growth
Fallen buds will not reattach, and damaged ones may continue to drop after conditions improve. Check the remaining buds and plant health over the next few weeks. Stable leaves and roots matter more than preserving every flower in the current display.