What causes flowers on the same phal spike to be different colors?

[myblue66stang]

This is my very first phal, given to me four years ago. When I got it, all of the flowers were white with pink dots. The next two years when it flowered, just one of the flowers had the pink blotch and the rest were white with pink dots. This year, it's a free for all. No rhyme or reason, no pattern, each flower is different. Flowers with one pink blotch, some with two, some look like the flower originally did. Does anyone know why this is happening? I'm not complaining, it's kind of cool that each flower is different. Just curious. It has been living in the same spot since I got it, same type of potting media and fertilizer. Thanks, Cindy

[ronaldhanko]

Th pink blotch is a color break - it can be caused by various things but may never reappear.

[sarahrm]

I am experiencing this problem on one of my phals also. I wonder if it is a virus. I don't really want to buy the tsting kit. Does this color break indicate a virus, or could it be due to poor conditions, such as gettig too cold over the winter or not enough watering.

Anyone has any ideas?

[Eyebabe]

Color break is an ominous sign.
I would be worried about a virus...ORSV also known as Tobacco Mosaic Virus. This virus is very contagious for your other plants. Watch your watering/splashing and isolate the plant from your other orchids until you can test it.
You can buy ELISA testing kits online from Agdia.
Get the ones that test simultaneously for CymMV and ORSV. They are the most common orchid viruses.
You need to watch the specifics for the amount of tissue you use for testing but it is fairly simple.
I will be hoping for you