Cattleya jenmanii var semi-alba 'Surprise'
 

I got this plant in the winter of this year and it grew well over the summer to produce 5 flowers this month. What is 'surprising' is that the last flower opened up with a different lip. Goes to show that the genes for lips can change, perhaps due to the instability of the semi- alba genes!! Guess I'll wait another year to confirm this. In the mean time I will enjoy the wonderfully sweet fragrance and the beauty of the star shaped flowers! Notice the magenta flares on the tips of the petals. A bonus!

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How odd! Still, it's a beautiful species and you've done a great job w/it. I love jenmanii.

Interesting. I'm curious to see if that happens again next year.

Sorry, genetics degree forcing me to comment, but there is no evidence that this is genetic instability of a particular gene, or any genetic cause at all. The action of the semi-alba genes would be influencing everything but the lip anyway. A one time developmental glitch is far more likely, especially given the uneven color distribution, and it seems to me that lip shape may be slightly affected too. But it will be interesting to see if something like this happens again. Then we would have some actual evidence to start generating hypotheses.

But more importantly, I love the pleasing natural shape of these flowers, compared to the over-floofy flat round monstrosities resulting from generations of selection and so favored by orchid judges. Good taste and such good growing...

Just gorgeous... How beautiful color.... Congrats! :)

What an elegant bloom!

It's beautiful.

I agree with everyone. The species shape is so beautiful especially jenmaniis.

PaphMadMan, thank for info. I appreciate learning from experts in their field. I guess we will find out if it's just a one time event (caused by my incessant stares and over feeding) or a genetic instability. LOL


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Beautiful!

Wow that's beautiful, the lip is so vibrant and artsy, love it. Good growing & sharing the strangeness. Sometimes strange things just make it more wonderful! ;)