Why Less Vibrant on rebloom

[Maree]

Why do some of my orchids rebloom much less vibrant than when purchased? Here's a picture on purchase and the rebloom a year later. Light, fertilizer? Any ideas? Thanks much

[Paul Mc]

I'm not an expert on this subject, but I would suspect it could be one of several factors.

Light: If you purchased it in bloom, it could be that the growers used a specific color of light to produce a more vibrant coloration in the flower and without that specific color addition to your current light, it will not reproduce that way.

Genetics: Some orchids progress that way as they get older, while others may become more distinctly colored. Again, not an expert here so taking an educated guess on this particular one.

As you suggested, it could also be fertilizer - too much or too little.

I'd love to hear what the experts have to say about this though!

[Ray]

Light levels and temperature play larger roles than does nutrition, unless you're starving them.

Unfortunately, there is no hard and fast set of rules that applies across the board. Generally, reds develop better under brighter, cooler temperatures, but not always.

[Gage]

Originally Posted by Ray

Generally, reds develop better under brighter, cooler temperatures, but not always.

Took the words out of my mouth. I'm DEFINITELY no expert on this, but my gut is saying cooler and a lot of light will get you those bright blooms back.

[Junebug]

Also, many blooms don't display their full color saturation until a few days after opening.

[isurus79]

Ray and Junebug nailed it!

[Bud]

strange...usually it blooms quite well and much more vibrant on the next time it blooms under your care because it gets used to your environment and it has a better care than the mass produced hormonally enhanced ones...
That is why I dont like buying orchids in bloom as much as possible...I like to get them near blooming size so the plant gets used to your home environment and care.

[silken]

My vote is on more light and cooler as well. Quite often a first bloom is not as good as future blooms, so I would expect it to be better or at least the same if growing conditions are well met.

[Leisurely]

Is your plant, by chance, Rlc. Samantha Duncan? When I take a picture of my Rlc. Samantha Duncan that is always grown the same way, it looks different in every picture.

[Maree]

Look how much more vibrant after a few days. Thanks for all your responses. It is not as vibrant as when I initially bought it, but much more so since it opened. Also another bud is opening under the flowers. Thanks for all your expertise and you appreciation.