Multi Colour Dendrobiums from the same flask

[AJW]

While this is not limited to Dendrobiums the end result tends to be interesting to say the least. It appears to occur to only those plants that are subjected to pollination not tissue culture or 4n treatment. I purchased 10 of the same orchid from the same flask and they have now started to flower to date 5 have flowered and are all different as you will note in the photos. Some may see this as an issue but I see it as adding to the anticipation or excitement associated with growing orchids. The five versions of Den. Starbright Corona X Den Lynette Banks.
Isn't orchid growing such fun.

[FairyInTheFlowers]

Originally Posted by AJW

It appears to occur to only those plants that are subjected to pollination not tissue culture or 4n treatment.

I just wanted to add a little comment. You are correct with the pollination causing unpredictable diversity due to genetic recombination. However, 4n treatment depends. 4n conversion is done with the treatment of cells with colchicine, which stops cells mid-division, leaving the doubled chromosomes in one cell. This is usually done shortly after seeds from some kind of cross are sown and germinated. However, I do think this can be done to meristematic tissues as well. So yeah, 4n treatment can be done to either seed crosses or clones.

Besides that point, I think you flowered a wonderful diversity of plants. I like them all!

[jcec1]

That's really interesting to see the vast difference in siblings. It illustrates well why NOID hybrids can never be identified with any degree of certainty given these are all the same cross. Personally, I prefer no. 4.

[AJW]

Thanks all, these flowers are all around 2 inches or 50mm in Diameter. The colours are very strong in each one. Can't wait to see what the other 5 will flower like (as yet no spikes so maybe next year)

[Pattywack]

Growing orchids is all about fun in my opinion! It is relaxing and exciting and ya, fun. I would be very happy with all of these different flowers, each one is beautiful. Thanks for sharing such a neat experience, hope to see the others bloom.

[estación seca]

What fun! And what a great illustration of the diversity that can happen from complex crosses!

[dbarron]

Aren't divergent genetics wonderful?

[Tindomul]

Wow, siblings can look alike but never exactly the same. Awesome!!