What Explains This?

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by Ray

Red color, in particular, is very temperature dependent. Cooler giving stronger color.


Ray Barkalow
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While higher temperatures cause red color to fade (usually turning brownish) in Paphs, light also has a significant influence.

Photos show a plant (Rhy gigantea x Aerides species) was purchased from a Thai vendor at GNYOS in April 2006, and grown outside in full sun from Memorial Day onwards.

The first photo shows flowers in August 2006.

The second photo shows flowers from same plant, when blooming in February 2007, after spending fall/winter in a greenhouse with intermediate/cool temperatures.

As you can see, the lower temperature & light had major impact, both on flower shape & color.

[NYCorchidman]

That is rather strange because cooler temperature ( coupled with strong light) is supposed to bring out more red pigmentation.
Maybe it works different for this particular genus??

Usually flowers with red tone tend to have its red pigment nearly washed out under too warm conditions.
I see this in dendrobiums, phals ( it was waxy fragrant types and bloom with intense red color in the cool season and white with red spots during the summer time) , tolumnias.
My other orchids usually do not bloom during summer and winter times to compare the difference.