bud color and flower color correlation

[iloveorchids88]

I saved this orchid from the trash bin last summer. When i found it the blossoms were gone , so obviously I have no idea what color the flowers will be. Is there any correlation between bud color and flower color ? For example on my other phal, the buds are purplish and the flowers are purple as well. thanks

[iloveorchids88]

other points of interest concerning this orchid is the production of a terminal spike (the one seen on top) 3 basal keikis.

does all of the above signal a dying orchid ?

[camille1585]

'Terminal' doesn't mean it's dying, but rather that it is the last thing that will grow out the crown of the plant. This changes the balance of hormones in the plant, and explains why 'terminal' Phals often develop basal keikis. So you're plant is still perfectly good and healthy!

Though as a note, I'm not sure I see the terminal spike you are referring to?

As to your original question, usually plants that bloom with pink/purple flowers tend to have more purple pigmentation on the (underside of) leaves. What's interesting is that yours has green buds, so I'd guess the flowers will be more white/yellow, possibly with some pink/purple somewhere.

[Roberta]

The growth that produced the terminal spike will likely not grow any more, maybe eventually die. But those basal growths will take over... the plant is very much alive, some do tend to form a clump, and if each of those new growths bloom, you'll have a wonderful display.

[iloveorchids88]

Originally Posted by camille1585

'Terminal' doesn't mean it's dying, but rather that it is the last thing that will grow out the crown of the plant. This changes the balance of hormones in the plant, and explains why 'terminal' Phals often develop basal keikis. So you're plant is still perfectly good and healthy!

Though as a note, I'm not sure I see the terminal spike you are referring to?

As to your original question, usually plants that bloom with pink/purple flowers tend to have more purple pigmentation on the (underside of) leaves. What's interesting is that yours has green buds, so I'd guess the flowers will be more white/yellow, possibly with some pink/purple somewhere.

If you look at the top spike you will see a leaf. From that leaf the spike goes on to produce 4 buds (not shown). That's what I'm calling a terminal spike ? Maybe I'm not correct in my definition of a "terminal spike". should it refer to a spike that's coming out of the crown only ?

[Orchidtinkerer]

yes the flower bud develops the colour before it opens. Blue flowers will have almost black buds, reds will have a pink tinge, white and yellow will stay green.

Since I can see a pink tinge on the edges I will guess this is most likely a red/yellow hybrid.

Also no terminal spike there. The crown looks fine.

If it were a terminal spike what happens is a new plant is formed on it. It is a bit frustrating when it happens, you want the plant to flower and instead it produces a new growth which will take ages to develop again before you are in the same position hoping for some flowers. So terminal spikes are not terminal but they are annoying. Irrelevant really since this one doesn't have one.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by iloveorchids88

If you look at the top spike you will see a leaf. From that leaf the spike goes on to produce 4 buds (not shown). That's what I'm calling a terminal spike ? Maybe I'm not correct in my definition of a "terminal spike". should it refer to a spike that's coming out of the crown only ?

That is not a terminal spike.

"Terminal", in this case, is referring to the "growth terminus" or "growth front" of the plant, also referred to as the "crown" or "shoot apical meristem". That is, the place in the center that the leaves grow out of.

Sometimes, plants that are stressed or damaged in some way will reroute the growth to new areas of the plant. In this case, it is those new growths emanating from the "mother" plant's base. It may also form a new plant on the flower spike, commonly known as "keiki", Hawaiian for "baby". In this case, it looks like it started to do that, then gave up.

[iloveorchids88]

that that upper flower spike has a leaf on it. Maybe that's what i curious about.

[iloveorchids88]

Originally Posted by Ray

That is not a terminal spike.

"Terminal", in this case, is referring to the "growth terminus" or "growth front" of the plant, also referred to as the "crown" or "shoot apical meristem". That is, the place in the center that the leaves grow out of.

Sometimes, plants that are stressed or damaged in some way will reroute the growth to new areas of the plant. In this case, it is those new growths emanating from the "mother" plant's base. It may also form a new plant on the flower spike, commonly known as "keiki", Hawaiian for "baby". In this case, it looks like it started to do that, then gave up.

that leaf on the spike could have been a keiki but for whatever reason it decided to be form buds instead


note the 2 areas that I circled. I thought it was unusual that this spike would produce 2 leaves. So you're saying that those 2 leaves were keikis that failed and the spike decided to form buds

[Maru777]

Originally Posted by iloveorchids88

When i found it the blossoms were gone , so obviously I have no idea what color the flowers will be. Is there any correlation between bud color and flower color ?

Lol - same here - also waiting anxiously for one in the same situation to open but I love the surprise. From what I’ve seen there is more of an indication than direct correlation. For example the 2 pictures I added have buds that start off the same deep purple color. The pink one only starts to get its buds lighter colored when it’s almost open. The other one stays purple until the end and opens into purple flowers. I have also a white phal and a yellow one both with white-ish green buds that get tinted white/ light yellow only very close to opening, another purple one with mostly green buds this time, a pink one slightly darker than the one in the picture with light pink buds instead of the dark purple of this one and on and on. There are so many things mixed up in the hybrid phals I think that you can get the same color flower from different colored buds - at least based on the color when the buds are still small. So, prepare to be surprised lovely plant and great rescue, no matter the color though!