Orchid flower upside down

[tempy]

bit of a silly question but I have a normal orchid that you get from the supermarket but the flower on it has grown upside down is this normal or rare ?

[Paul]

While there are types of orchids for which that is the norm, it isn't so for phals. While it is therefore abnormal, it is not unheard of.

[astrid]

Oh, that's normal. I think it just depends on how the light was directed when the buds were forming. I usually have a flower or two that are upside-down and it isn't too odd.

[RJSquirrel]

its Orchid Word Rock!!

biologically , the concept is commonly expressed with the adjective "non-resupinate."

upside down is non-resupinate. the lip opens usually on top in most cases, then the flower stem twists to present the lip pointing down by the time the flower opens. Lighting is usually the cause of this bec the flowers follow the light. Thats why they tell you not to move the plant while its trying to open the flower. It gets confused as to which way is up. You get an odd looking upside down flower or one that didnt open fully.
It is 'not normal' for most orchids while others, the non-resupinate flowers are part of its natural growth habits.



the outer whorl are 'sepals' an inner whorl are 'petals'

[Orchid Whisperer]

Some orchid flowers will have a bloom that will "invert" in response to light. I have a Potinara Elizabeth Palmer that opened right-side-up, but my wife moved the plant to display in front of a table lamp, bloom facing away from the lamp. Over night, the flower flipped over to face the light, so the bloom is now up-side-down.