Blooming Issues

[SouthPark]

ghuylar ----- the possibility of some pathogen (eg. virus) could be considered too, but that's just a long shot. It might not be.

If originally there were no issues, while no matter what is tried - and the issue persists ----- then consider these other things only. For now, we just try other things like less fertiliser etc, and see how it goes.

Dimples on the petals could be some sort of clue too. Some close-up shots/photos could help home in on the issue.

[aliceinwl]

I think it’s genetic too. My mom isn’t as picky selecting plants and she’s brought a few of these home. I’ve even bought one thinking the buds were just late to open. How many flowers on subsequent reblooms show up malformed varies. Some spikes even escape entirely. On mine, the majority of blooms are fine so I don’t worry much about it.

[Ray]

To me, the flower deformities look to be nothing more than remnants of bud-opening difficulties - they got "stuck" for a while. That and the bud blast make me wonder about the humidity level being too low.

Yes, orchids can take up nutrition through their leaves, but the waxy cutex that they have evolved to slow moisture loss is also quite effective at slowing absorption, too. That layer is especially well developed in phalaenopsis, and even more so as the plant matures.

You're unlikely to burn your plants with Miracle-Gro Orchid mist - it's a 0.02-0.02-0.02 formula, so provides about 200 ppm N. I'd dilute that 50% and apply it as a drench to the potting medium weekly. I also recommend that when that runs out, look for a decent powdered fertilizer so you're not paying so much for water.

[ghuylar]

Update:

Both my Phal tetraspis and Den. Lindelyi bloomed without issue, no stuck petals. I have three other plants with small spikes which shall be in bud in a month or so, but as it stands right now I don't believe this plant is struggling based on humidity.

Is it most likely a genetic issue even though the malformations for the flowers are so inconsistent?