Buds on phalaenopsis stopped growing & buds look deformed

[camille1585]

Looks like it could be genetic, from some sort of mutation during the initial spike formation. Sometimes when the meristem cells start division (so to start a spike in this case) something will go wrong. Since the plant initially bloomed out fine, and is not fine this time, it makes me think of that. So it's entirely possible for the next spike to bloom out fine.

It could be the result of a transposon jumping into the middle of a gene responsible for flower size/shape, impairing normal gene fonction and so normal bloom development. A transposon is a piece of DNA that is also called 'jumping gene', in that that have the bad habit of moving around in the genome of a cell during cell division.

Or i could be from any number of other mutation types!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Looks like it could be genetic, from some sort of mutation during the initial spike formation. Sometimes when the meristem cells start division (so to start a spike in this case) something will go wrong. Since the plant initially bloomed out fine, and is not fine this time, it makes me think of that. So it's entirely possible for the next spike to bloom out fine.

It could be the result of a transposon jumping into the middle of a gene responsible for flower size/shape, impairing normal gene fonction and so normal bloom development. A transposon is a piece of DNA that is also called 'jumping gene', in that that have the bad habit of moving around in the genome of a cell during cell division.

Or i could be from any number of other mutation types!

Whoa!

I didn't know that! That's so cool!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The reason I say it could be a genetic issue, was because the flowers look pretty well formed.

They appear to be how a primitive orchid flower may have looked like ages upon ages ago.

Prior to the glorious colors and patterns, as well as the large sizes that we now see in flowers, plants had green flowers that were able to photosynthesize and were relatively small.

[Suse]

I've never sprayed any of my plants and, as the other phals in the same location are fine, its probably not due to some external infleunce.

The 'jumping gen' explanation sounds fascinating though - I hope that this is what has caused this problem. At least this gives me some hope that the next spike may be normal.

[Blueszz]

Suse, I had a deformation on part of spike (Oncidium Sweet Suger or look a like). I didn't spray the plant but changed location. It didn't become peloric but exchanged the lip for an extra petal or sepal.
I changed the location while the last buds were forming because I ran out of space. I'm sure this is what caused the mutation. (Stupid, I forgot about it and didn't make pictures).
Even changes that appear to be small to us might lead to a genetic 'defect'. I only changed the room (same window, different temperature, different humidity) but it was not a dramatic change.

Nicole

[Danie]

Originally Posted by Suse

Yes, I've got some pictuers.

Hello Suse,
What sort of phal is it?

[JanN]

Hi - I am brand new to this site so may be doing the wrong thing is replying to your thread - if so I am sorry.
I have had Phals for many years with no probs but I have a plant which has thrown a lovely strong branched stem of buds. However some of the branches have distorted and are quite fat at the ends and the buds are either failing to develope or are developing a little bit and then turning red or yellowish and dying off. Other branches on the same main stem look perfectly ok but none are ready to open yet. Anyone got any suggestions as to what this is? My search on the internet has provided only one possibility - a new disease on Phals recently identified in Japan I think in which the buds turn red and fail whilst there is no damage/distortion to leaves - but I cannot believe that my plant has anything that other people haven't seen before!! I would post some photos but as this is my first visit I don't think I can.

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by JanN

Hi - I am brand new to this site so may be doing the wrong thing is replying to your thread - if so I am sorry.

Hi JanN,

Welcome to the Orchid Board! We look forward to hearing from you.

You'll get more traffic and possibly more responses if you begin a new thread. The Pests & Diseases forum would be a good place for it. From the Home, in the left menu click on Forums, then scroll down to Pests & Diseases. When this forum opens, there will be a maroon button near the top left, New Thread.

I can't answer your original question.