Same plant different flower color?

[Yourneedfulthings]

Hi,
My first posting. Learn much from you all so far.
I have been growing orchids in a greenhouse for 2 yrs. now. Started with negative knowledge and making progress.
My Odontocidium Wildcat "#13" bloomed last July (first photo). Same plants has blooms opening again now. To my surprise, the blooms are almost identical except for the lip color now yellow instead of the distinctive white during previous blooms.
Does anyone knows why? I have many plants but I'm 100% sure bloom photos bellow are from the same plant.

Ana Maria

[NYCorchidman]

The second one in the picture is newer. The lip will eventually bleach out to much lighter color as the ones shown in your first photo.

Many flowers open up with deeper color that gradually lightens up with time.

Time will tell though.

[Yourneedfulthings]

Thank you. The second flower indeed, just barely opened. I will be patient and wait for the change.
Ana Maria

[james mickelso]

most mass produced orchids have differences in their flowers from bloom to bloom. unless it is a true clone it will vary somewhat. look at the slight differences in the flower petal/sepal shape. there is some difference. just natural variation.

[trdyl]

Also some plants will have differences in color if they are grown warmer or cooler.

[My Green Pets]

I agree, in time it will develop its color further. Be sure to post a photo for us after about a week

[samarak]

Ted mentioned that the flower color of some plants is affected by the temperature at which they are grown. That can also be true for varying intensity of light, with higher light usually (but not always) bringing more intense color.

Steve

[NYCorchidman]

That goes for red (including other colors that have the underlying red pigments like purple or "blue").

With higher light and cooler temperature, this red color deepens.

Certain pink or red will completely disappear when the temperature is too warm while buds develop.

[jeremyinsf]

I had three different flowers come from a Paph plant once. I could have swore they were unrelated to each other. I had the plant in a different place as each developed. So, I agree with others about conditions.

[Yourneedfulthings]

Yes,
I will definitely post another photo in a week or two when I see changes.

---------- Post added at 08:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:28 AM ----------

I am in Eastern NC and keep my greenhouse above 55F a big difference in temperature between July (first flower) and Feb. (new flower). Also light difference. I use 50% shade in summer.