Color variations in blooms on same phal

[KGZ]

Hello, I'm new! But I've been lurking for awhile, and have found a lot of valuable information on this board. Thank you for the advice that you don't know you gave me!

I've had my first phal for about two months now. When I first bought it, it had a few blooms opened and a few buds still forming. Since then, it has bloomed all its existing buds and pushed out three more. The first of the three new ones has just opened, and its coloring is noticeably different from the rest; the originals are a lighter salmon/pinky color (guys, I'm colorblind, I'm sorry), and the newest seems to be more of an orange (brown?). I've attached two pictures to show you what I mean, though I'm not sure the photos do it justice; the distinction in color is VERY obvious (even to this colorblind girl).

My question is: Have I done something wrong? Is this an indicator that something about the environment is not ideal?

Otherwise, I think it seems very healthy; it has one new leaf that's been growing for a couple weeks, and another tiny one is poking out. It also has four or five new roots that started forming all at once.

Any insight is much appreciated. Thank you!

KGZ

[Brooke]

It is not unusual for a bloom to change color when it gets older. Some get lighter as they age and some get darker.

Enjoy your Phal, it is gorgeous.

A

[KGZ]

Hi Brooke,

Thanks for the quick response! The weird thing is that I saw the other blooms open too, and (until this one) they all started out with the lighter salmon color. This is the first one that has started with an orange hue. (Or perhaps you meant that the blooms change when the spike gets older, and I'm just misunderstanding.)

In any case...if you're not worried about it, I'm not worried about it.

Thanks again! I feel better.

KGZ

[cbuchman]

Color can also be influenced by temperature, nutrients, insecticides, and other environmental factors. My experience is that this kind of color change isn't typical, but it isn't uncommon either. In some species, like Tolumnias, the flowers can have different markings too!

[KGZ]

Thanks, Carrie! I wonder what I did. I'll be curious to see how the rest of the blooms turn out.

Much appreciated,
Kelly

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

My first thought it looked like the sort of change to to an environmental change. I sometimes get it and I'm not always certain what changed in the conditions. Other times it seems to follow changing weather/light, though I can't pin down what gives what colour.

[KGZ]

Thanks, Rosie! I think you're right, it must be an environmental change (especially because this is the first bud to bloom that formed completely in my care). I suspect it's increased light, since I bought it in a store and it now lives in my bright office. It gets filtered late afternoon sun and has shown no signs of too much light (leaves are a good color, new growth, no bud drop, etc.), so I guess it's okay.

I'll just have to decide which color I prefer and play around with lighting amounts for the next bloom! Kind of fun, I guess.

Again, thank you for your help!

Kelly

[Orchid Whisperer]

I also have a NOID Phal that does this. As was suggested previously, it may be due to a change in conditions, such as changing light.