What on earth????!!!!! My phal changed color

[calypsoB]

ok, So going on this must be the same plant the things which can change the anthocyanin in orchids are PH, sun levels and chemical accumulation. Your white phal probably has a coloured orchid somewhere in it's history because it contains pigment vs. albums. Those are the only things I can think of which would activate those responses for that pigment.
http://fspublishers.org/ijab/past-is..._13_NO_6/5.pdf

and some reading for fun

[silken]

Originally Posted by gardengirl13

Hmmm good idea. Trying to think what may be good. A million bells maybe?

Problem with that is none of the other flowers are tinged. I have that blush/buttery small phal that has it's normal color. Would the purple fert maybe make a mutation come out? I was told some white phals have a pinkish undertone that comes out with more light and looks kind of purple but nothing like this.

We have so much snow here still that my mind is not very much on bedding plants yet! A white petunia or geranium might be good. I have bought a tray of yellow petunias and split them with a friend. Hers bloomed pale pink while mine bloomed yellow! I'm sure it was the different pH in the different soils. So petunias do have potential to change colour.

[gardengirl13]

Oh great! The million bells are a small petunia, I'll see if I can find any anywhere this time of year. I know the greenhouse I go to has many plants inside so I'm sure I could find one, if not I know for sure they have geraniums.

CalypsoB I'll have to read that tomorrow when I have some time. One other thing I have changed is since a few of my orchids require RO or rain water I've been mixing my fert with rain water not tap. Maybe the ph and chem difference caused this?

I e-mailed the AOS to see what they say, they are confused and want to see the photos. I'll let everyone know what they come back with when I hear from them.

I guess if anything this is a good April fools riddle for everyone! Sure has me stumped. Of course my husband loves the new color! I jokingly told him I was going to sell it since I wanted it to be white and he won't let me! ha ha! It's still not quite open yet. As I've said I re-potted it in the new terracotta so we'll see if it gets mad at me for disturbing it. But once it's fully opened I'll take another photo.

[LadySoren]

So... Update?

Also, I can't view your photos but I see the dual colors on one plant persons photo.

[hcastil3]

The only reasonable explanation to me for that dramatic of a differance is.......you have an ALIEN PLANT WITH MORPHING capabilities !!!!!

[No-Pro-mwa]

Yea we need an update, this is an interesting thread. I can hardly wait for it to bloom next year.

[gardengirl13]

OK here's an update: nothing has changed. The flowers dropped, then it sent up a second spike! Also again the same purple stripes. I have flushed it numerous times so it must not have been the jacks. I talked with a lady at the nursery we buy our outdoor plants from, she said that it really sounds like the original flower is coming out. She thinks it was cloned or grafted or something to make it white and after a couple years the original color took back over.

I'm still saddened by it though. But the color is finally growing on me. The second spike has 7 flowers on it, which is the most it's had since the first year it rebloomed for me. The leaf with the three circles is still there and nice and healthy. The new leaf and root growth is awesome!

hcastil3, I like your idea though. Maybe I should name it Audrey III?! ha ha!

I will re-post again next winter/spring when it blooms again for me, but I'm assuming that since the second spike wasn't white next year it won't be either.

[LadySoren]

I still cannot view your photos. Am I the only one?

[Orchidgirl83]

Photos are showing for me. This is so wild that it would just up and change like that all of a sudden.

[LadySoren]

ok, I see pix now. Had to view on comp vs smart phone.

HOLY COW!!!! That's just crazy!!!
I'm shocked.

It was a very pretty white. I like that it had no "blush"