Are Perlorics rare, or just unusual?

[ValorieBoyer]

I'm tipsy on wine and browsing ebay for orchids (dangerous, I know, hehehe) and came across this listing for a Phal. Vio Vio, Perloric. $60?? Is it because it's a Perloric? Are those really rare or just unusual? Is that why it's so expensive?

[Ryan.Walsh]

It's not so much that pelorics are that rare it's more that this particular cross (Phal Jungo Viotris x Phal violacea) tends to give a really good color, form and texture and even scent in some cases. It's a hot hybrid right now hence the price. Of course on ebay, a plant is only worth what people are willing to pay for it, and in this case someone is willing to pay this much for it. A well grown, good plant with good coloring, form and texture could probably fetch at an award at judging (depending where you are) so of course this helps. It has P. violacea (very in style now) and I believe P. equestris in it so it just has a different look than many different hybrids on the market right now.

If you do like this though it can be had for a cheaper price if you look around.

[Paul]

Personally, I think whoever paid that much for that plant had more money than sense, but that's just me.

Pelorics are not terribly common per se, but nor are they incredibly rare in the industry. As Ryan said, P. violacea is a "flavor of the month" so to speak ... quite popular currently. The flowers of this hybrid are nice, but for $60, I can think of any number of other chids I'd much rather have. (And for that $ I could get two or three of them.)

[Daethen]

I don't actually know what is "in" right now, but pelorics can be hard to find. I FINALLY found a NOID phal peloric at our local WalMart. But others seem to find them all the time. Some people like them, some don't. I agree that it is a price that says more money than sense.

[Cym Ladye]

Peloric orchids seem to be the "flavor of the month" so to speak. The ones that are stable, meaning blooming the same way each time, are less available. Some collectors covet them and will pay anything to get one, just because they think it is rare. Unusual, yes.

Pelorics are mutations of the original flower which was cloned. Rarely do they appear in normal breeding unless bred for that genetic trait using a peloric parent. Even then, only about 50% or the seed will result in mutated flowers and often to varying degrees from the parent used.

You are right Daethen, in saying it is a preference which some people like and others don't. Whatever floats your boat is my take on these. In my opinion, none of them are worth the price but for those who just have to have one, the sky is the limit. Just be warned!

CL