Mutant Ninja Flowers

[bethmarie]

I bought a tiny phal. at Trader Joe's last year that had perfect little orchid flowers on it. This year's re-blooms are mutants. The 3rd pic is the most recent to open. It has a lip and is closest to the original flower; curious to see what the last two buds will do.

[WhiteRabbit]

wow - that first one is really cool!
Do you use hormone products regularly?

[bethmarie]

On me, or on my orchids? I do use Solo, less often than the advised amount (which is no more than every two weeks), but I'm wondering if it builds up more in moss, perhaps, than in bark or other media.

[Ray]

Hormones don't "build up", as they degrade upon exposure to light and warmth. (Also, I have tested KelpMax - the hormone source in Solo - at 100:1 at every watering, and not seen such a reaction.)

If the synthetic hormones (K-L-N, SuperThrive) are applied heavily and frequently, deformation can occur, but is it usually a mangling of the flower, not indications of peloria.