Does anyone have an explanation for these photos?

[KK2211]

Would love to know if anyone can explain this.

[Dimples]

Could be a magic art type phal. The color expression is unstable so you never know what you’ll get.

[SouthPark]

I was trying to think of what the word or label was. And eventually tracked it down to chimerism, or chimera.

[camille1585]

Harlequin type Phals are known to be rather unstable, and it is not unusual for them to have subdued spotting or occasional bloom as a plain white/pink (like the right side of your bloom). Your plant is unique in that it didn't entirely revert back to the plain coloration.

The unique pigmentation of harlequin Phals is caused by a retrotransposon, which is a gene that 'jumps' around in a chromosome and inserts itself in random locations. When present, this gene causes the another gene responsible for pigmentation to produce even more pigment, thus the very dark color. As the jumping gene isn't present in all cells, white/pale spots appear.

[itzi]

Camille thats an amazing explanation! Where'd you learn that? :O

[camille1585]

Curiosity!
That and also that I have an MSc and PhD in Plant Sciences and although it wasn't my specialization, I learned a lot about plant genetics.

[itzi]

That's so impressive!! I've been on a break from college, so I have technically barely finished my basics. I'll be honest, this hobby has revitalized my passion for biology, and I'm finding botany and plant biology to be absolutely fascinating subjects.. Its a big commitment to change my major, so I'm giving myself time to decide, but its all just so interesting to me!!

[Optimist]

Oooh! Pretty rare. Chimera genetics. What a catch! It's like the 1/2 face cats or the parakeets who are blue on one side and green on the other. Kind of fun!