Flower shape change on Secondary Spike?

[Irielicious]

This is a rescue I bought last July, it recently put out a secondary flower spike. The first bud opened today but I notice some structures seem mutated. The petals looks underdeveloped, the anther cap looks larger than normal and the lip looks more like a cup. When I acquired it the flowers looked normal (from what I remember).


I fertilize any orchids actively growing 20-14-13.
I do magnesium soaks monthly (most my orchids are bare root)
Very large south facing windows with direct sun early in the morning
Relative humidity stays about 55%
Temps 75+/- 5 degrees Fahrenheit
Good air movement
No direct central air and heat vents near the orchid
Water EOD
No growth hormones/keiki paste used
Seaweed/willow water soaks in spring and summer months

First picture is the original flower with subsequent flower pictures are the flowers now. My fertilizer information and lastly the whole plant being the one in the forefront of the picture.

***Picture update*** I found a better picture this the orchid was when I purchased it, looks normal not peloric???


Any ideas on the culprit?

[jkofferdahl]

I've seen orchids do this. Usually, though, they don't look so nice and healthy as yours. Most of the time it's because the plant has been really stressed. Another possibility, though, would be that perhaps you moved the plant's position (orientation to light) when the bud was forming. My guess is still stress, though, even if I can't say what caused it.

[Irielicious]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

I've seen orchids do this. Usually, though, they don't look so nice and healthy as yours. Most of the time it's because the plant has been really stressed. Another possibility, though, would be that perhaps you moved the plant's position (orientation to light) when the bud was forming. My guess is still stress, though, even if I can't say what caused it.

Hmmm I did change the position very early in the development of the secondary spike (5mm long), maybe that could be it. It also has another new spike that started at the same time as the secondary spike but it is growing a lot slower than the secondary spike.

If and when the rest of the buds open; I will know if this was an anomaly for this bud or something that is a result of some unknown stress/environmental issue that will affect the whole plant. I hope it is just this bud that has the issue as I really love this orchid (DTPS Surf Song) Thanks for trying to help me out with some ideas BTW.

[gngrhill]

When I looked at your photos my first thought was also that you may have turned the plant as the spike/buds were forming as this may cause some crazy twisting of spike and blooms.

[jkofferdahl]

Whatever the reason, the plant itself looks healthy and vigorous. Honestly, my hope/best guess is the light thing - I've done it myself and messed up spikes (and I'm a person who likes nice, neat, tamed spikes). I think the real test will be to see how the new spike blooms; if the flowers are normal then pass this off as an anomaly. If not, however, it's time to fret a wee bit and watch the plant a lot more closely.

[Irielicious]

Originally Posted by gngrhill

When I looked at your photos my first thought was also that you may have turned the plant as the spike/buds were forming as this may cause some crazy twisting of spike and blooms.

When I say I "moved" the orchid I moved it closer to the window but the orientation facing the light has been the same. I can kind of see how it could be a light change issue, but it reminds of the results people get with synthetic hormone use. Some people have no issues using hormone pastes etc. and others have crazy mutations.

I don't think the orchid was peloric when I bought her and I don't use artificial hormones; so I don't know what could have caused this. I hope it is just his bud. I have noticed the other buds are developing much slower maybe this bud had a surge gibberellins etc. when it was being formed that caused quick but improper formation? I will keep you informed as to what happens with the next buds and ty for your help!

---------- Post added at 10:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:44 PM ----------

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

Whatever the reason, the plant itself looks healthy and vigorous. Honestly, my hope/best guess is the light thing - I've done it myself and messed up spikes (and I'm a person who likes nice, neat, tamed spikes). I think the real test will be to see how the new spike blooms; if the flowers are normal then pass this off as an anomaly. If not, however, it's time to fret a wee bit and watch the plant a lot more closely.

That is my only concern, that I'm inadvertently causing these aberrations, which means I could be doing this to all my plants. I'll keep an eye on it closely and keep ya up to date! TY again !