New Phalaenopsis blooms and buds?

[xiongmaopanda]

At the moment my Phalaenopis has two blooms and one bud. The first bloom took forever to open until I put it outside.
I recently went out of town so I brought my orchid inside (thank goodness, there was a bad cold spell). My newest bloom looks just fine except for the top two petals are split a bit. It almost looks like when you make paper snowflakes and the design comes out the same on both sides. I'm not sure what happened. Is this something that just happens at times?
The part I am really worried about is the bud. It was fine when I left but, when I came back home this morning I looked at it and noticed that it had turned brown. Not the whole bud just a tiny part and it appears to be the outside layer of the bud. Should I be worried or should I just take that bud off?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Kerry]

Hi again

Without really seeing a picture it's not possible to really know whether or not the bud has blasted. Also, we don't know where you live - so what your outside conditions are like. It could be that the orchid did not like the abrupt change in conditions i.e from nursery to shop or nursery to home, or home to outdoors.

Leave the bud on and wait and see if it shrivels off on it's own accord. It might not, and may still open. If not, don't fret - it happens to everyone, and is not unusual when a plant is moved whilst in bud.

I don't know about the second bloom - could be natural, could be a cat swiped it. There are plenty of furry orchid biters associated with this forum! Are there any signs of insects or aphids?

[smartie2000]

Is it possibly pest damage?
I wouldn't worry too much because it will most likely send new buds if the plant is healthy

[xiongmaopanda]

I've got pictures of the bud and the bloom.
I guess I left out some details. I live in North Carolina, US (I noticed people from England). I also forgot to mention that the air was turned down a bit. I'm not sure what the temperature was. The blinds were also closed so there was less light.
I've also noticed the the top leaf has started to lean to the side. Like it has gotten too heavy. Am I just being super paranoid?
(The picture of the split petals is blurrier than I thought. I'm sorry.)
I almost forgot the mention of pests. I haven't seen anything on my orchid. I hope it isn't pests.

[smartie2000]

Pretty blooms!
When these large blooms all open the stems do get quite heavy! I have plants that just want to tip over...

The sepals of the bud looks damaged mechanically. Possibly by an insect (that is gone now) or maybe from the cold spell, because you did say it was outside ... The bud may open but it will give an imperfect bloom. If you want to snip it off to save the plant energy on an imperfect bloom then do so. It's not too important.

Be sure to open the blinds so the plant can get it's light

Split petals occur sometimes on large flowered phals. My large flowered pink spiked in the winter and all of the blooms had split petals and smaller blooms, probably because of the cloudy winter days.

It will send new buds soon if it is getting good light, these are floriferous and usually have a higher flower count

[xiongmaopanda]

Should I be worried about the leaf that has tipped to the side? It is quite strange. I had read some where that it may be underwatered but I'm pretty sure that isnt the case since it is still blooming.

The orchid wasn't outside when it was cold but it was in the house when the heat was turned down. I will be moving it back outside once the brown bud decides what it is going to do. I may just leave it so I can see what it looks like when it opens. (I like abnormalities [Maybe it stems from my Brachydactyly].

I'm glad to know that my orchid isn't dying >.< I'm such a spaz.

[smartie2000]

Was this leaf growing in that position to reach for light?

[xiongmaopanda]

Hmm...I'm not sure. I guess it is possible but, I don't think so. It has just kind of flopped onto its side.

[smartie2000]

Looks like that leaf is still young and hasn't finished elongating. I think flopped over because the base of it is still growing so it's tender. I'm not sure but maybe it was from drying because it is still tender.

I wouldn't worry too much the leaf will be fine. It's better to underwater than overwater, especially with sphag, and phals can tolerate some drying

To analyze the plant some more it's been getting good light and I see it has turned red. Perfectly fine and healthy.

[xiongmaopanda]

Ya know, Smartie (Is that the name you use?), I would have never thought of that. But it does make sense. It is the newest leaf.
What has turned red? The leaf?