Peloric Phals

[sunny1743]

Originally Posted by RJSquirrel

do you listen to loud rock music around the plants?

LOL. No, they get Japanese music more than anything.

Originally Posted by RosieC

Wow, that's one of the most peloric I've ever seen, although I have seen pics of others pretty close to that.

Interesting that it has become more peloric in a later flowering. I have heard they can change and sometimes go back to normal.

I'm just wondering what will happen when it flowers next, wheter it gets more severe or not.

@Kim. Nice orchid, wonderful colours.

@Marion. In the case of peloric phals, the flower petals mutate at a genetic level to mimic the lip of the flower. A peloric phal is where the mutation is a complete imitation of the lip (see the 1st photo in the 1st post). The picture Kim posted is a semi peloric phal, where the mutation is only a partial imitation of the lip.

[BobInBonita]

Had not seen a peloric before. Absolutely beautiful.

If the peloric grows a keiki, will it be peloric also?

Anybody have experience or knowledge?

[RosieC]

I think that can depend. Sometimes they might be, but seeing as even the original plant can revert back to normal flowers I think there is no garantee that the trait will continue in a keiki.

[CTB]

Google it. A very good article by AAOS, Genetic problem causes by enviromental changes and stress. Don't think it really looks quite like pics we have seen, google has some, not so pretty!

[frostedeyes]

peloric phals can be quite strange sometimes... alot of collectors are fascinated with peloric, that includes me. well for that i think that's fairly normal.

[frostedeyes]

but do check your watering regimen. maybe because its a bit dry or hot weather.

[quiltergal]

Many Phals are line bred for peloria, and are pretty stable and consistent as far as flower shape goes. Others I have seen are unstable peloric plants. One year they'll bloom with normal looking flowers and the next batch will be peloric. You never really know what you might get from one year to the next.

Here is my line bred Phal. Flower Child 'Carmela'. It blooms just like this every time.

[RosieC]

Gorgeous peloric Terri!

[sunny1743]

Originally Posted by frostedeyes

but do check your watering regimen. maybe because its a bit dry or hot weather.

It's watered the same as all my others, so I don't think it's that. As for the weather here in London, it has been really changeable. A few weeks ago the temp was in the high 20's (celsius) and now it's hanging around the low 20's. Not to mention the occasional downpours we've had.

I must admit, it's probably overdue for a repot. But when it has a spike length in excess of 50cm, I'm really reluctant to do it when in flower. I just know it's going to break.

Terri, as far as I know the orchid has always had peloric flowers. It's only been this year where there has been an increase in the mutation. I do have to agree with Rosie though that is a georgeous peloric. I seem to be drawn to the spots.

[Austin Powers]

Very interesting discussion. Makes the phal I bought as a semi-peloric look absolutely normal, obviously a very 'light' mutation.

I am not a geneticist, but from what I remember in university, there could be several reasons for the variation one sees in the expression of a certain genetic trait. I won't even try to get into it here, mostly because I'll be only partially correct. Likely there are multiple genes involved. Depending on their respective dominance, and penetrance, there can be variation from year to year. Stable plants have had these issues cleared up by repeated selective breeding.

Stephen