My orchids blooms changed colour??! and best place to buy orchids in UK?

[bambimac]

So I hope you'll forgive me for squeezing two questions into this thread but my very first orchid finally flowered today and I'm so excited. I've been told by users on this forum that it is a cambria oncidium hybrid.

I was gifted it over a year ago and when I received it, it was white and pink speckled blooms with some yellow in the centre. Now to my surprise they're deep crimson and yellow! (see attachment).

I've heard two theories, one is that temperature can affect blooms (I live in a cold part of the UK) another is that because it was a hybrid when there are offshoots/new bulbs from the original parent plant it can go back to its original colour?

My second question, is where is the best place to buy orchids if you're based in the UK?

[Ray]

There is no "original"color in a hybrid. Genetics does not change from growth to growth.

Unless there are actually two plants in that pot, I suspect that when you got it, it had been grown much warmer than now. Brighter light and cooler temperatures favors the development of red pigments, especially.

[cricketerry]

Originally Posted by bambimac

My second question, is where is the best place to buy orchids if you're based in the UK?

There are few UK based sellers left now. The only one I really know of is Burnham Nurseries based in Newton Abbot, Devon. They do mail order so try their web site. Alternatively both Burnham's and Lawrence Hobbs attend orchd shows around the UK where they bring many plants for sale. If you let me know where you are based in the UK I can let you know if or when there is a show near you.
There is one near Cheltenham on 2nd March and near Christchurch on the weekend of 29th March.