Phal- newer flowers differnt color
 

I've had this phal for a few weeks and yesterday one of the buds opened. The flower is much darker than the rest of the flowers. Some of the old flowers look very washed out in comparison. It's even more dramatic than what the pictures show. What would cause the color difference? I really like the intensity of the new flower so I'd love to know what might cause this so I can get the darker flowers when it blooms again in the future.

Thanks, Kristen

Kristen,
Was this already in flower when you got it?

It is very common for Phals (and even other orchids) to change color as the flower ages. It is for the most part genetic, so there is not a lot that can be done to prevent it. Flower color can also be influenced in some by temperature and pH/feeding. For example, I was told that using epsom salts can help improve the blue color of Phal. violacea coerulea.

Susan

As Susan pointed out, the color of a Phal, as well as many other orchids, can fade as the flower ages. That said, I've never seen one with so dramatic a change as yours. I can't help but wonder if the growing conditions, feeding, light amount, and other environmental conditions which changed from when the plant was at the grower's have played a significant part in the difference of this flower.

It was completely in flower when I got it with the exception of a few buds opening up now. This plant was a blooming monster. Two huge branching spikes.

Wow, that is a big difference. I think it is the age of the blooms tho.
Al

That is what I was thinking might have happened. As OrchidSue and jkofferdahl pointed out there are many things that will cause phal flowers to change colors on the same spike.

I had a Phal Little Emperor that would bloom a golden yellow and fade to cream as time went on. The newer blooms would be a dark contrast to the old.

Thanks for the info. If the color is still dark in few weeks I'll post pictures again. Interesting how it fades with time...