Phal cornu cervi
 

I just got this one about a month ago as a free gift for buying some other orchids. Its flower opened a couple weeks ago but seems "stuck". Any ideas as to why it wont open the whole way?

Can't help you but this are so interesting how there spikes are flat. Maybe just stress from shipping or perhaps you didn't have it shipped.

Joy, it could be a couple things. Some are just genetically predisposed to stay cupped (i.e. Phal javanica) but typically Phal cornu-cervi has a flat flower. It could be the individual itself, but only time will tell that. Obviously within any seedling population (assuming this isn't a mericlone) there will be variations in floral color and form.

The other possibility is cultural. Humidity levels often influence how much the flower reflexes. Also I'll assume you didn't buy it in s/h, so transplanting can often give you some "different" flowers at first. This also looks like the first flower opening which is often a little weird and doesn't truly represent what the plant can do. I would wait for a few more flowers to open before you get too concerned. The bastianii I posted recently had a dorsal sepal on the first flower that was crooked and bummed me out at first but all the subsequent flowers were perfectly straight and symmetrical.

BTW the flat spike is a diagnostic feature of this species. Also, never cut the green spike because it will continue to send out buds/branch so long as it's green.

Thank you, Ryan. That is quite helpful. I bought this locally from a very humid greenhouse and put it in s/h within a couple weeks. Then the bud opened. It has another one growing off the same spike, so we will see.
I love the spicy cinnamon scent!