Paph. primulinum bloom variation...what the heck?
 

Hmmm, bought this one because I really liked the teeny flower. Curious why there's such a difference between the first and second bloom. I bought in bloom from a Taiwan grower at our society show. Could the bloom have been stunted from travel stress? Or is this just first bloom weirdness?

Definitely stress played a huge role here. Stressed orchids will actually have temporary changes in the DNA that is responsible for the flowers.

Rob

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The first one does look sort of funny to me. I prefer the second bloom any who.

Have to address this misconception. There can be changes in DNA expression from environmental conditions, but the DNA itself is not changed, and would not change back. But most stress related effects on flowers are due to developmental problems, like putting together IKEA furniture if pieces are missing or wrong. The instructions (DNA) are unchanged and correct, but the outcome can be a mess.