Phalaenopsis bloom abnormality

[Bec]

Evening,

I have a Phalaenopsis orchid just purchased a month or so ago from a local hardware / garden center. He was happy and healthy with two spikes and great roots. Most of the flowers have opened now, but the spikes have different colours and the secondary spike is now producing flowers with no lip. The two bottom sepals are joined. (Photos attached)

I have fed and watered him, but not repotted. He sits in a filtered north window and has the correct temp drop. It is currently very early Spring here in Western Australia. No additional leaf growth (don't expect it right now) but some roots are showing growing tips.

Main problems are: Why the different colours on the different spikes? And, why the abnormal flowers?

Can someone let me know what has caused this and how to prevent it?

Regards,

Bec

[Dollythehun]

In a nutshell those are "peloric" flowers, mutations. They may or may not occur next blooming. They are not a cause for worry.

[Bec]

Thanks for the quick reply!

That's good to hear, I was worried that I had inadvertently caused the mutation by my fertiliser. Hopefully he will go back to normal flowers next year. I don't mind the different colours, but having no lip was just weird!

Thanks again for your help.

[Dollythehun]

I actually bought one like that two years ago, sadly I lost it. I forget the name but it was an intentionall selection.