Large pseudobulbs = Large Flowers?

[Cach26]

Large pseudobulbs = Large Flowers?

Hello everyone, I am making this post because of this photo, it is the same Ep Ciliare, it is not an FCC, nor a 4N, it is a common and ordinary plant.

Only the pseudobulb of the largest flower measures from the rhizome to the lower base of the leaf (19cm) and the common flower (8cm).


Both plants have the same number of Pseudobulbs, only one of them grew more XD


What do you think of this theory?
What Goliaths do you have in your collection?

[Roberta]

The pseudobulb vs flower size might have some validity within a particular plant - as the plant matures, it has more resources that may go into the flowers. But plant-to-plant I don't think there is any particular correlation. Comparing different types, no correlation at all. I love the miniature species with a high flower-to-plant ratio. Flower bigger than plant is delightful.

[Louis_W]

Here is how I would put it:

Good culture + good genetics = large pseudobulbs and large/more flowers

I think your plant also stands a chance of being a tetraploid as well...

[Jmoney]

4N plants on average probably produce larger plants, thicker roots/leaves...with good culture. no guarantee of course any given 4N will give you better flowers but there are many instances where that may be the case. i.e. mericloning a (superior) 2N and getting an occasional 4N plant that may be even better...

[Optimist]

Do you think it is time/ age related, or just size. Having a lot of stored energy would definately lead to larger "everything." I am not sure if it is a direct correlation/causation thing.

[Jmoney]

larger, older, more mature plants will absolutely produce larger pseudobulbs, more and larger flowers, and in some cases flowers with better form. however your average polyploid will likely be larger than your average diploid.

[Optimist]

Originally Posted by Jmoney

larger, older, more mature plants will absolutely produce larger pseudobulbs, more and larger flowers, and in some cases flowers with better form.

So it is a maturity issue, not a genetics issue. A small plant where themature size is very small (like a twinkle) will produce large well formed flowers relitive to the maximum possible size of the flowers. In the same way, a Grammatophyllum speciosum will will produce maximally large flowers with maximally large pseudobulbs.

Originally Posted by Jmoney

however your average polyploid will likely be larger than your average diploid.

So it is like a Liger, the cross between a lion and a tiger, but much bigger than either parent.

[Jmoney]

not exactly. a liger is an example of hybrid vigor, which does also apply to orchids sometimes. tetraploidy means twice the chromosomes as usual, which is usually incompatible with life in the animal kingdom. in plants, this may mean larger plants, larger flowers.