Any chance this is not a virus?

[Des]

I might be wrong about this ,but I have never seen color break virus cripple the flower as well . It usually, as the name suggests , breaks the normal color of the flower . I have noticed this crippling and "color break "after spaying with systemic insecticides, at the time when the plants initiate the flower spike . This can be some months before you actually see the flowers .So it is possible that it could have been sprayed in the store ?
I agree that you should return the plant to the store ,if possible , and have it tested for virus ,It would be a shame to destroy your wedding present . Many folks dont realize that these plants, if well looked after, will outlive you !!

[Vina]

It does look like virus damage, but! I would double check with easy to use virus test. For example Agdia's virus test for home use contains 5 kits, so you can test your other plants from the same vendor.
In case of the positive result return all of them.

[Claire25]

I didn't know that systemic insecticides could cause this to happen...wow...but since this plant has been in my care for eight months, pesticide free, I can't imagine this to be the case. Although now that I think about it, it's possible that it could have been exposed to some kind of "chemical drift" over this past summer, since I grow my orchids outside and have a neighbor who's a bit over-zealous with the lawn chemicals. (Can't stand him! He's obsessed with having a barren green lawn...my dandelions must drive him crazy. )

That being said, I am definitely going to follow up on recommendations to test for virus. Returning these plants isn't really an option for me--suffice it to say that the vendor my husband used (a big online retailer who probably draws in a lot of business from people fairly new to orchids) hasn't been the most pleasant to deal with and I don't want more of a headache. I'm just going to write this experience off as a "lesson learned" and in the future stick to ordering from the companies who I know care about their plants...and customers! (Though I did email the company with the same pic I have on here in order to inform them of the problem). Thanks again for all the helpful advice!
Claire

[lupita]

Hello Claire.
Just to let you know that I sent an email to you.
Thanks
Lupita.