Tetraploid Schilieriana

[Wren]

I have a 4N schilieriana. It's growing leaves and roots but no sign of a spike yet. The leaves are very short and round. They are shaped very differently from the long leaves on other schilieriana. They are nicely modded with sliver. Is a different leaf shape normal for 4N?

[MrHappyRotter]

For clarification, I believe OP is talking about Phalaenopsis schilleriana.

[Wren]

Originally Posted by MrHappyRotter

For clarification, I believe OP is talking about Phalaenopsis schilleriana.

Yes, thanks!

[PaphMadMan]

Yes, it is common for tetraploid plants to be different in growth habits than "normal" diploids. Sometimes it means bigger/longer/heavier everything in proportion. Rounder/thicker/wider but compact growth habit isn't unusual though. Sometimes tetraploids are slow to mature too, so try to be patient.

[jkofferdahl]

With a schilleriana you want to watch for a spike in the Late Summer or Fall. I'm presuming that a 4N will still bloom on the same schedule as my more pedestrian schilleriana, the first of which opens its first flowers usually in October. My others all bloom in winter, so set spikes about when the first one first blooms.

[estación seca]

A lot of orchids have definite bloom seasons. You can look species up at orchidspecies.com and find their blooming season.

[Manu]

Mine just started pushing out its spike.. be patient, in my experience it starts its spike around the end of October-November and starts to open flowers just before spring...

How big is it, did you buy it as a previously bloomed plant? Schilleriana can be a slower growing Phal and may take time to become a mature plant, but is capable of pushing out spikes with a few flowers even when quite small, just don't expect those huge branching spikes the first year.

[jkofferdahl]

I noticed today that my first schilleriana is JUST setting a spike. This is a plant that had its virgin bloom last year, but had more than doubled in size since, so it should give a fair display. I expect to see blooms by late November or December, and hope that my other 3 join the fun!