I have a large phal with one spike (out of three) that looks normal but none of its flowers will open fully. The other current and previous spikes' flowers all open completely. This spike is on its third rebloom and every flower opens to the exact same point. They last for months just like ones that open normally. They cannot be manually coaxed to flex the two unfurled petals.
I'm wondering if anyone knows what causes this. I'm not looking for guesses as they will not be of value, but for info from someone who has seen this and knows what causes this.
Please see attached photo. Thanks!

http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz130/SalliDZ5/Garden web/101_0299_1.jpg

ginnibug

Sometimes you see orchids with an abnormal flower or two and the rest are normal. Said orchid then flowers normally the next time.

I have never seen the condition you describe where all the flowers on one spike were badly distorted so i cannot even guess at the reason.

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.