Why is my second spikes blooms different colors from...

[TiffanyP]

The first spikes blooms are a deep blood red, where these second ones are a more orange color...I have read too much sun can bleach out color. Is that true?

Also i have a sticky sap coming from my Oncidium and Oncidium intergenerics ONLY. I have heard that is a sign of Aphids or a pest of some other kind but I dont see anything. Any advice?

[panam]

Sometimes the colors change as the flowers age. Did you notice the color of the flowers as the first spike bloomed?

Also, the sap is nothing to be afraid of - it's just that the flowers are so gosh-darned sweet!

Beautiful job with these oncidiums! Thanks for sharing the picture with us.

[TiffanyP]

Why thank you!

The blooms on the first spike even as little youngsters were red from the beginning.

I'm glad to know that the sappy like substance is harmless. Let me just say...these ones SMELL edible!

[PaphMadMan]

Warmer temperatures and less than optimal light tend to make flower colors less intense. If the light was intense enough to bleach the flowers you would be seeing sunburned leaves.

If you don't see any insects think of the sticky sap as tears of joy from a normal healthy actively growing plant.

[TiffanyP]

This warmer thing bums me out....my Odontoglossums (the big purple "maybe Baellara's") other spike won't be as vibrant as the first.... they were already in bloom when I received it.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Most likely the new spike bloomed under warmer conditions. It is nothing to worry about.

cheers,
BD

[TiffanyP]

Wonderful thank you. Can I experiment this or is it too late to give it brighter light and get its color back?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Wonderful thank you. Can I experiment this or is it too late to give it brighter light and get its color back?

too late if it was a temperature issue.

cheers,
BD

[Halloamey]

I never had temperature issues changing the flower color, only light. And contrary to your observations, the higher the amount of light the more vibrant and darker color blooms I get. The warmer temperatures make the blooms last less and fade quickly but when they bloom I do not see any color difference as long as the light was sufficient.

[TiffanyP]

Thank you, Holloamey. I did read in my book yesterday light is an issue that can cause it aa well as heat but I think its light too because my Windows are very tinted and I am going to have to go artificial I think. Any suggestions?