Possible anomaly (mutation) in Encyclia blooms? - Orchid Board

judith_arquette · #1 04-19-2014, 10:05 PM

I picked this up about a week or so ago at the supermarket, it bore a tag identifying it as an Oncidium...with the help of fellow forum members I was able to get a better id on it (thank u!) At the time one spike was in full bloom (all normal looking), the other only had buds. The spike that was only buds has over the past 3-4 days begun to open and a couple of the blooms seem a bit strange...any input/comments appreciated

judith_arquette · #2 04-19-2014, 10:12 PM

A more "normal" looking bloom on the same spike opening on the bottom. The 2 flowers above it seem to both have the same "doubling" of the frilly purple bottom part...

shushu45 · #3 04-19-2014, 10:20 PM

Maybe peloric. Idk if Encyclias can be peloric though.

Peloric - In orchids, a term used to describe an unusual & often beautiful (sometrimes grotesque) condition where all 3 petals (instead of just one)
attempt to fashion themselves in to lip colors &/or shapes.

silken · #4 04-19-2014, 10:32 PM

It looks more like a double lip rather than the other petals looking like the lip. Hopefully just a one time thing. The nursery may have been using growth hormones to speed up growth. Too much can cause growth anomalies

judith_arquette · #5 04-19-2014, 11:53 PM

It does appear to me like a double "lip" (I'm just starting to get a handle on all the different terminology). The grower is a greenhouse in Ithaca, NY, they keep the local markets here in Rochester pretty well supplied although their labeling seems poor at best, so perhaps it is from some kind of hormone... As long as it's not some kind of sickness (I noticed the difference shortly after a few discussions abt viruses were posted here). It's such a pretty plant and it has the most heavenly scent, that I'd really hate to lose it...

silken · #6 04-20-2014, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by judith_arquette

It does appear to me like a double "lip" (I'm just starting to get a handle on all the different terminology). The grower is a greenhouse in Ithaca, NY, they keep the local markets here in Rochester pretty well supplied although their labeling seems poor at best, so perhaps it is from some kind of hormone... As long as it's not some kind of sickness (I noticed the difference shortly after a few discussions abt viruses were posted here). It's such a pretty plant and it has the most heavenly scent, that I'd really hate to lose it...

If the plant looks healthy and other blooms are normal, I would not worry too much. Just treat it like a Cattleya and it should do fine.