Once again...baffled!

[cb977]

I have a Phal Maraldee 'Brother' which was in bloom when I bought it last year. The blooms were yellow with reddish markings. This year, it's got a number of buds on it and one of them opened yesterday. It is more green than yellow! I looked it up on Wildcatt to see if I could get which color bloom was the "correct" color but found that the descriptions of awarded plants vary, mentioniung both colors!
Why would this plant bloom in a different color from one year to the next?
Here are pics (first is last year's bloom, then this year's) for comparison...

[Tony]

I know the intensity of red flowers can vary with temperature, maybe that's the case with this one?

[justatypn]

Sue from my experience and along the same line of your questioning, as most know I have a dend Christina Princess in which the blooms were dense ignorant between blooming cycles and was told the lighting is a big factor in the color changes. Not sure if this is what's going on with yours, but just had to add my 2 cents worth

[ScottMcC]

give it 2-3 days...all of my yellow plants started out greenish and slowly progressed to yellow.

as for the amount of red markings, I can't help you there...might be related to light and temperature.

[cb977]

Thanks everybody

I guess I'll have to wait till next year's bloom for the tie-breaker

By the time it's ready, it will have been grown in different conditions...let the games begin

[littlefrog]

This is why I grow standard white phals... *grin* I'm a bit surprised at the difference between bloomings, but not terribly surprised. I suspect that when you bloom it again it will look like this year. You are unlikely to replicate the conditions the original wholesaler had for the first bloom.

[cb977]

Originally Posted by littlefrog

You are unlikely to replicate the conditions the original wholesaler had for the first bloom.

I hadn't thought of that!
Makes sense to me...thanks Rob

[Anglo]

It appears that the shape of the flower is also a little different, at least at the point when the second picture was taken.

Light and temperature have been mentioned as possible influences on the flower this year. Nutrition may be another factor. The plant may have been getting some trace minerals or something prior to the previous blooming that it hasn't had since, or hasn't had in the same quantities.

It would be interesting for you to let us know if there is any difference in the flower after a few days or if the others that have not opened yet look any different than the first one. It would also be interesting to know if there is any change at the next blooming.

[cb977]

Anglo, you're right...the shape is a bit different along with the markings and coloring. I will certainly keep the post updated with any changes I may see. There are a number of buds still to open. By next year, my room will be done so the conditions will probably change somewhat. I'm interested in seeing what those blooms look like.

Thanks to everybody for your input.