Bizarre growths on Phalaenopsis - Orchid Board

josterha · #1 06-05-2011, 01:22 AM

Hello,

I have had two bizarre abnormal growths on two different phals in my collection recently.

Case # 1: Phalaenopsis stuartiana

This is the famous 'Sogo' clone (HCC/AOS). What I thought was a root emerged from the base of the crown, but it was not. It was a spike, and not just any spike. The top of the spike looped back into the crown. Now, it did not just grow back into the crown, it was like that from the start, so that it was attached to the plant at both ends. I didn't take a picture because I pulled the top end out of the crown, thinking that it had just grown its way back into the crown, but when I pulled and it snapped, I realized that it was actually attached. Has anyone ever heard of this before?

Case # 2: Phalaenopsis Final Wedding Promenade

This was my first orchid that I got after I consciously decided to become an orchid grower. This grex is not registered as far as I can tell. Also, it does not really resemble Phal. 'Wedding Promenade'. Please look at these pictures:

Bizarre Phalaenopsis Mutation - Orchid Board Galleries

This plant has bloomed very reliably for me, sometimes twice a year with very long-lasting flowers. I was watering today and noticed that the terminal bloom looked a little strange. It has at least 11 petals and sepals; at least 3, maybe 4 column structures, but still only one lip. The flower is a different color than the other normal ones. This one being more of a salmon than pink. The petals are also waxy and sort of hard. I should also mention that the bloom just next door on the spike is normal, except for a slight scalloping on the left petal (I attributed that to it being very dry at the time that the bud was forming).

I must say that I have never seen or heard of anything like this. Please look at the pictures and comment. I hope it is not virus, because this plant is special to me. However, I can't see how it could have contracted virus as it has not been cut for a very long time, just to cut off an old spike. I'm thinking of cutting off the flower and dissecting it. I'm really interested to see how many pollinia it has formed and if they look unusual.

Please let me know what you think.

Thanks!
John

Zoi2 · #2 06-05-2011, 01:36 AM

It sounds like a terminal spike on your Phal stuartiana. If it is, this is not good as the plant is finished blooming but hopefully it will produce a keiki for you.
Your mutation is pretty cool..I know you don't care for it. Sometimes this happens however I've never seen one quite like yours. Did you happen to use Super Thrive or something similar on it?
Joann

josterha · #3 06-05-2011, 01:55 AM

Hi Joann,

Actually, the stuartiana did produce a keiki about six months ago - a basal keiki. I have it potted in a separate small pot now. I'll be sorry if the momma is done blooming. It really was a nice plant. I think I'll keep it though, because I'm curious about what's gonna happen.

As for the hybrid, on the contrary, I think the mutation is super cool - I'll just be sad if it indicates a virus. It is in spike right now (a new spike), so I'll see if the new flowers look OK.

Zoi2 · #4 06-05-2011, 02:03 AM

Good news on the stuartiana keiki. Momma will not grow any more leaves from the crown but may grow another keiki which would be good. As the bottom leaves die there will be no replacements and the plant will eventually die.
No, I don't think your cool mutation is a virus at all, just a genetic faux pas. I would imagine the flowers on the new spike will be fine.
I have a crazy Noid phal that puts up two spikes every year, 1 is normal and the other is peloric. I have no clue why but it's pretty cool.
Joann

josterha · #5 06-05-2011, 02:16 AM

Joann,

By the way, no I did not use super thrive on the hybrid. It is fascinating, though. BTW, I have a Dtps which is peloric and it's one of my favourites, just because it looks so bizarre. You can see it here:

Doritaenopsis Chain Xen Queen - is this peloric?

I'm pretty sure it was mislabeled, as it looks nothing like other flowers in the grex. I'm positive that it is from Taiwan, though. I've seen other flowers similar to it from the big Taiwanese growers.

I haven't counted out the stuartiana just yet. The spike in question came from the base and there are three or four leaves above it already and one brand new baby leaf. I will just keep an eye on it. This is the reason why I love orchids so much. They are just fascinating!

Zoi2 · #6 06-05-2011, 02:22 AM

Yes it's a peloric and beautiful. I'll see if I have a pic of my crazy noid.
I must have had a "blond" moment, I thought the spike came from the crown on stuartiana. If it came from below the leaves no problem.
Yes, orchids are fascinating...just when you think you have something figured out, poof, you're wrong!
Joann