Peloric Phal

[Judi]

I was at my favorite nursery and found this really neat Phal--I'm pretty sure it is peloric. What do you think? Unfortuntely it's a noid but I love the color and the mutation!

[OrchidSue]

Beautiful-yes it is semi-peloric.

Susan

[Judi]

it is semi-peloric

What would make it fully peloric?

[OrchidSue]

The closer the petals look like the lip, the more fully peloric the flower is. True fully peloric flowers often look like they have 3 lips clustered around the column. I have a Phal. equestris that is pretty close, but no good pictures and she is now winding down her blooming cycle.

Susan

[Cym Ladye]

Sue,

In my experience with peloric orchids, the state is a little like being pregnant, "it is or it isn't". Any deviation from a normal petal/sepal is termed peloric. Half way, semi or partial, when used among most breeders/growers, means that only one petal or sepal shows a degree of being peloric. The phal shown here can be termed peloric and appears to be bilateral.



CL

[trdyl]

It is lovely.

[OrchidSue]

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

Sue,

In my experience with peloric orchids, the state is a little like being pregnant, "it is or it isn't". Any deviation from a normal petal/sepal is termed peloric. Half way, semi or partial, when used among most breeders/growers, means that only one petal or sepal shows a degree of being peloric. The phal shown here can be termed peloric and appears to be bilateral.



CL

That is not my understanding of the terminology and how I have seen it used among breeders that I know. Yes, the term peloric can be used for any flower that exhibits characteristics of the lip, but there are degrees of being peloric. Using the term semi-peloric is what I have seen used to describe flowers that are mostly flat like a petal, but have hints of lip structure and coloration. I suppose it is a difference among people who are lumpers versus not. There are also Phals where the lip looks like a petal and the term "reverse peloric" is used to describe them. I have never heard the term "half peloric" being used.

Susan

[Cym Ladye]

Susan,

What do you call a flower that has only one petal or one sepal showing peloric?

CL

[OrchidSue]

My description would be that one petal is peloric. I would not have a specific term for it, though "half peloric" would be appropriate. I just have not heard that terminology.

Thinking about this further, I think my response was not entirely clear. All types of peloria are called "peloric". Referring to "semi-peloric", "reverse peloric", or "half peloric", or whatever other terms people choose to use are simply further classification of peloria. When I responded to Judi, I said "Yes" meaning the flower is peloric. Referring to semi-peloric is the classification I have seen used to describe the degree of peloria in this particular flower.

Susan

[Judi]

Ok, I understand now. Before I started this thread I tried to find the definition of peloric, but I found different meanings ranging from any irregularity to the chid having 3 lips. I guess there are just varying degrees of peloria, which makes perfect sense. Thanks everyone for the clarification!