arthurm, thanks for your response. The flowers that open normally on the other spikes do NOT have the peloric features shown in your photo; the flowers on the spike in question do however. After reading your post, I searched peloria on GW and found a link to a piece written by Alex Callis that states this: "Peloria in orchids occurs when the petals take on the color and/or the shape of the lip, and may be found anywhere between two extremes.....The presence of peloria is genetic, but expression of peloria may be influenced by environmental changes or by being stressed. These are not always stable, and the plant may flower normally on the next inflorescence." It had been suggested to me that the condition could be environmental, but that didn't make sense to me since the entire plant is subject to the same light, moisture, etc. If peloria is genetic, but not always or necessarily exhibited, I suppose it has a 'mild case' or deformed to a lesser degree than those who blooms are all abnormal. The plant has produced a new plant that is spiking now; it will be interesting to see what form the flowers take. A second new plant has just begun too. What to do about them is for another post though! My preference is for all future inflorescence to bloom normally.

I used to be an under-waterer... that was a long time ago, when I was young and had way too many other things happening in my life, and plants were not an important part of it. I'm surprised any survived, and even more surprised that several flourished and bloomed. I had a young Hoya in a hanging basket that rarely ever saw water, but it grew and flowered like a weed. My very first Hippeastrum bulb got little care... I treated it like a houseplant, and it grew and bloomed beautifully every spring. Now, I only water when a plant needs moisture, and since I have several different types of plants, and they all need moisture at different times, I spend some time checking so everyone is cared for properly. Plants play a more important role in my life now, as weird as that may sound. My children are grown and on their own, and I have more time to devote to my love of plants. I still second-guess myself at times, but when I find myself in doubt, I wait a day or two to add moisture. Orchids are a different animal, so to speak, and many of my habits need to be relearned. Most other plant types are fairly even in their culture, but orchids are spread out all over the place, culture-wise. Each type has a different set of needs. In my slightly cramped and strange environment, growing anything can be quite a challenge. Successful orchid growing is really challenging, but I'm meeting that challenge, I believe. I could never grow healthy roots in a medium that held onto moisture for too long, or broke down and decomposed too quickly. I would rather water more often, and use a more aerated medium. We all began somewhere, and we all learned through trial and error and gathered knowledge, but our love for plants keeps us moving forward.

It might be genetic, your plant might be 4N (Double normal) which is 2N. In any case, why worry? You plant is a Harlequin Type Phalaenopsis which means that the blotches and spots will vary from flower to flower year to year.

Two points. Torture is a relative term. Is it torture when a lion catches an antelope and begins eating it before the antelope is completely dead? Is it torture for the antelope to be chased by the lion? Is there really any difference between the terrified antelope and a cow being forced up a killing chute and killed quickly with a blow to the head? Humanoids have eaten plants and animals since before we were Homo sapiens. We killed animals however we could. Forcing herds over a cliff and leaving most of the animals to rot, since there were too many to eat before the rest began to decay. Most people in the US are appalled by the thought of eating dog or horse meat. Because we have enough wealth to keep those animals as pets, making them more special to us. I can't visualize eating monkey meat and I would never open a clam/oyster and eat the insides. I have tried roasted opossum(once was enough---greasy, nasty tasting) and like rattlesnake. I've butchered chickens, hogs, and cows, processed them, cooked them, and enjoyed eating them. What people eat is what they grow up eating. Point two. Everything dies. Some things die quickly, some die slowly. Ever see a cow or deer with wasting disease? Or a starved horse or a dog? Pitiful sights. Makes me mad. People have the ability to choose what they want to eat. Those same people have no right to force me to abide by their beliefs---like PETA(I like my version of P(eople)E(ating)T(asty)A(nimals). You want to eat chocolate covered spiders? Have at. Don't be surprised if I say "No Thanks".