Psychopsis kalihi

[Shiffdaddy]

I got a psychopsis kalihi from my gf for valentines day and it was in bud so all i had to do was wait (she knows me too well haha). So i waited and waited for the last few weeks and when it opened it was nothing like i expected.

Is this a mutation? (a beautiful mutation) or is this actually what its supposed to look like?

Ben

[Merlyn]

It's what is known as peloric, when the other petals look similar to the lip. It's a sometimes sought after mutation and also sometimes breeds true. Yours most likely breeds true and is what that one is supposed to look like.

Well, I just googled it and yours isn't normally peloric !!! So you have a rarity !!

[Carpe Diem]

I have a Kalihi in flower right now and it looks very different. It is a huge flower and has 3 "antennae"? (sp) sticking up on the top. I can't take pics of it, because I don't know how to work the new cam yet. Aside from that, my Kalihi is at the local Florist this week at the annual "Orchid Show". Anyone can take their blooming orchids there to show off and anyone can go there to look at them - free of charge. It is a beautiful break during our long winter. Speaking of winter! A Monster machine is clearing my driveway of snow as we speak. I really didn't expect this storm to dump THAT much!

[camille1585]

Yup that's a peloric Psychopsis! I had no idea that they could also do that. I think it's quite beautiful!

Merlyn- Kalihi isn't supposed to look like that at all, so it's not normal for it. At this point I don't think it's possible to tell if this is a freak mutation or a permanent one. Only the following blooms will tell! It would be quite neat if it always bloomed peloric.

[Daethen]

I agree that it is peloric. Some times it is a one time thing and some plants will be a continual peloric. I personally love it. You do know that they will continue to bloom on the same spike for a LONG time, so don't cut the spike when the bloom fades.

[Merlyn]

Yes, Ben, there will be a new bud forming right behind the bloom that's open and will progress quickly right after the open one drops off. It's a sequential bloomer.

Camille, go back and read my first post.

[Bud]

That is a beautiful huge butterfly orchid.
The colors alone brightens the room...
I have exactly that plant and it is in spike...I will also wait until it opens...and see what surprise it may bring.

[Shiffdaddy]

Cool , Thanks for all of your posts! I knew that this wasnt the norm for this flower! I am glad that it happened tho! It is absolutely amazing!

I dont know whether to hope that it will bloom like this again or to hope for the normal kalihi to bloom. But for now i will enjoy this beauty.. haha

Ya i have done my research and know that it is a sequential bloomer. Actually.. i can already see the new bud (well i think it is) forming at the tip of the spike! Very very cool!

I look forward to seeing the next flower to see if i have a peloric plant or just a random peloric flower. Either way it is an awesome plant and had wanted a psychopsis forever!

Great to hear from you all! I havent really been around much lately, i'm being consumed by school work! haha

Ben

---------- Post added at 06:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:07 PM ----------

I just did a yahoo search and found nothing on Psychopsis flowers being peloric lol, kinda cool

[jrodpad]

A peloric psychopsis?!!! So cool! I've never seen one like this before. Thanks for sharing.

-J

[WhiteRabbit]

Holy smokes! That's fabulous! It would be very cool if it continues to bloom peloric.