Bizarre growths on Phalaenopsis

[josterha]

Hello,

I have had two bizarre abnormal growths on two different phals in my collection recently.

Case # 1: Phalaenopsis stuartiana

This is the famous 'Sogo' clone (HCC/AOS). What I thought was a root emerged from the base of the crown, but it was not. It was a spike, and not just any spike. The top of the spike looped back into the crown. Now, it did not just grow back into the crown, it was like that from the start, so that it was attached to the plant at both ends. I didn't take a picture because I pulled the top end out of the crown, thinking that it had just grown its way back into the crown, but when I pulled and it snapped, I realized that it was actually attached. Has anyone ever heard of this before?

Case # 2: Phalaenopsis Final Wedding Promenade

This was my first orchid that I got after I consciously decided to become an orchid grower. This grex is not registered as far as I can tell. Also, it does not really resemble Phal. 'Wedding Promenade'. Please look at these pictures:

Bizarre Phalaenopsis Mutation - Orchid Board Galleries

This plant has bloomed very reliably for me, sometimes twice a year with very long-lasting flowers. I was watering today and noticed that the terminal bloom looked a little strange. It has at least 11 petals and sepals; at least 3, maybe 4 column structures, but still only one lip. The flower is a different color than the other normal ones. This one being more of a salmon than pink. The petals are also waxy and sort of hard. I should also mention that the bloom just next door on the spike is normal, except for a slight scalloping on the left petal (I attributed that to it being very dry at the time that the bud was forming).

I must say that I have never seen or heard of anything like this. Please look at the pictures and comment. I hope it is not virus, because this plant is special to me. However, I can't see how it could have contracted virus as it has not been cut for a very long time, just to cut off an old spike. I'm thinking of cutting off the flower and dissecting it. I'm really interested to see how many pollinia it has formed and if they look unusual.

Please let me know what you think.

Thanks!
John