Is it possible that's what your buds are supposed to look like? Mine have spots/splotches -- see particularly the circled one near the bottom:

But...is that normal???

Oh, sorry I wasn't more clear, Pam. These splotches are perfectly normal for my orchid (this will be its third spring coming back). I guess you won't know if it's normal for yours until the buds (fingers crossed) bloom. Hoping an orchid expert might chime in and correct me, if I'm wrong.

Well Im definitely keeping my fingers crossed in hopes this is normal....The plant is otherwise very healthy in my humble opinion :)

Those buds are fat and beautiful, please post a picture when they open up.

Ok Lucille! Can’t wait....

Pam,

Looks very normal and more than likely the flowers will be spotted also. Do you remember what the flowers looked like last time it bloomed?

Don't be too concerned if the spots start to enlarge, as you can tell in javiwa's photo the older the bud the more the spot(s) enlarge. My harlequin phal behaves the same way.

If they do start to blast, let us know.

Good job,

Bob

I sure will Bob

Looks like spotted flowers to me. Do you remember what the flowers looked like? If they have spots, they'll usually show on the outside of the bud, as on the unopened buds below.

Such pretty spotted flowers!!

Dannie - well I learned something new...thanks for sharing! Unfortunately I can’t remember what the flowers looked like from the first bloom...I have another orchid that was purchased at the same time as the one in the pic, it’s got a few buds, looks healthy and I don’t see any spots...yet. I guess time will tell.

Okay you all!!! Thank you for the education and you were right!!! NOthing to fear..it was part of the natural process. :)

It's a beauty!!

Phew and yay!

Ahhhh!

Very pretty, unusual!

Aren't orchids cool :)

Bob

Here's my splotchier version of what is likely the same variety of orchid:

(Click to enlarge.)

This was a Mother's Day gift from DH two years ago (grocery store purchase), and it's by far the most robust orchid I have: blooms last months (this is rare for me!), and IIRC it blooms twice annually.

And look what happened this morning on my other orchid! Yay...thank you all for your support :)

Beautiful! I love the yellow ones.