Half-opened Phal flowers?
 

Hey Orchid Board,

I have a Phalaenopsis that finally opened up it's first flowers after I rescued it from the "distressed plants" rack at Lowe's, but the flowers only opened halfway. Any ideas on why this is happening? My best guess is that there's not enough light to fuel the process, but the light at the base of the plant registers at over 1500 footcandles, which should be more than plenty of light for a Phal (right??)

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...g?t=1270343514

Thanks in advance,

Adam

Looks like it may be a peloric phal, which makes it a genetic thing. I don't know much about them, but others here do.

How long have you had it and what do the roots look like? You have it plenty of light, if not a bit too much, just watch the leaves for sunburn.
Joann

I think it looks peloric as well. I've seen peloric ones which don't open fully like that. It may well be a genetic thing.

I feel you have a mutated form similar to Phal. Oriental Fairy 'Lycastanopsis'.

Adam,

When hundreds of thousands of meristems of a plant are dumped out of Taiwan for mass sale elsewhere, even mutations of mutations can occur. I doubt the original intent of this meristem was to have the petals fail to open fully, but it appears to me that that may be the case here.

I doubt that light is playing a part here. If it is anything cultural, it would be a problem starting with the roots... too wet/too dry/lacking in nutrients.

CL

Thanks everyone. I just checked the roots and they are still firm and light green like they should be, so I don't think there's a problem there. The peloric mutation is a new one for me. Guess I'll have to do a little research there ;)

I have a Cattleya hybrid whose flowers aren't supposed to open all the way.

Legomaniac89,
It is peloric form of that orchid. I've had one variety for many years now, and its probably my favorite. Attached is the photo of this years blooms. This picture was taken around Valentines day. Its flowers last for about eight months for me.

The abundance or lack of water and/or light doesn't seem to effect the way the flowers open.