Flower color changed

[amulchandra]

Hi all,

I bought an Oncidium intergeneric from Trader Joes sometime back.
It was deep violet in color. I googled the image and it looks like
Beallara Marfitch 'Howard's Dream'.

Now my problem is that it developed a new spike and the color of the flowers is white to light violet in color. I am really disappointed at the color. I got the orchid because I loved the deep violet shade.

Any suggestions or advise about the culture for this plant so that I can get back the color.

Thank you

Amul

[Fishmom]

I've had color changes happen on a couple of plants, although they have been in the opposite direction--more color or spots than before. I believe that more light yields a deeper color on some orchids: is it possible that your plant is getting less light than it would have gotten in a commercial greenhouse? You might try a different location to see if there is any change.

[BGGraham1]

Very interesting. Do you have pics of the before and after blooms?

[Slick]

I think Barbara is onto something there, many plant pigments are in response to increased light. Mangoes and apples growing on the inside of the tree can be green and relatively dull looking while the ones that are sun exposed on the same tree can be very bright indeed. Also happens with some types of flowers.
I don't have as much experience with orchids, but I have grown a very wide range of plants, and I think Barbara may be onto something... also could be nutritional. If the compounds that make up the purple pigment are not available in the medium, then it may still flower but with less pigment.

[orchids4me]

Have had this happen also. And what I found causes the lighter color blooms is just this. I didn't provide as much light as the original bloom/spike received. I don't know if increasing the light now will help the open blooms but it may make a difference in the un opened buds that will open soon or the next flowering season. The growers it came from grow most of these under very high light conditions and it brings out the full color in them.
Hope that helps

[otis 226]

Had that happen with a Beallara Patricia McCully 'Pacific Matriarch'. It was in flower when I got it, and had two other spikes. Each of which opened with lighter flowers. I assumed it was due to having it in my living room to enjoy the blooms, where the light was low.
Tony

[katrina]

Temperature can also impact color. IME, I see deeper, more vibrant colors when the bloom develops under cooler conditions.

BTW -- w/out a tag, you can't be certain you have a Marfitch. There are a lot of hybrids that look the same and a picture only comparison is not a valid ID.

[amulchandra]

Thank you all. It is amazing to see how many people responded to my post.
Thank you very much again. I will try to increase the light and see what happens. I feed it weekly with a weak orchid fertilizer as I do with my other orchids. All my Phals (19 of them)are in bloom or bud now. Never had this happen before.


I have learnt a lot from this group. I still need to figure out how to post pictures. Now I realize I should learn that ASAP.

I acquired two more orchids last week.One of them is Bc. Maikai 'Spotted Star'. I am scared to death now. I am not sure how to care for that. I need to do a lot of research.

Thank you

Amul