Question about old Phal bellina blooms

[cb977]

My Phal bellina put out a bloom on August 26...it was a light cream color with the usual beautiful markings. As it aged, it started turning green...that was fine. A second bloom popped open while the first was still attached...went through the same color changes. Now a thrid bud is starting...and the first two blooms are still on the plant!

Is this normal?

The oldest bloom is the one on top

[Dorothy]

I have had 2 blooms on different spikes on one plant at the same time on my violacea ... but 3 on a spike!
Lucky you!
You have a very happy orchid there

[Becca]

Wow that is a beauty! I must have one! On the list it goes!

[cb977]

But the first bloom is so old it's losing it's pink colorings!

Don't ya think this should've dropped off already?

This is what it started out looking like!

[shakkai]

Even though its losing its colouring, the substance of the flower still looks good! Good growing & congrats for what must be one happy plant.

[Dorothy]

It will drop off when it's good and ready to .. it's not ready to let it go yet .. that's the sign of a healthy plant, indeed

[cb977]

I will never fully understand these 'chids!

Thanks for the input everybody...I was thinking "this isn't right"!

[InspirChid1712]

I read someplace that this is one of few orchids that is able to photosynthesize through its flowers. I thought it was only after the flower was pollinated though...? Maybe your plant is trying to make a bit more energy to sustain its flowering?

[Neverend]

Wow, how did you get the old bloom to look like that? Mine never loses its colouring, and still has an intense magenta even when it has wilted completely.

[OrchidTess]

WOW! I have never seen that before. I can't say whether it's normal or not but like Neverend said they always stay magenta...... until the bitter end here.
You might have something new there!