Variegated Vandopsis lissochiliodes, Philippine Orchids

[PhilsDC]

In my one of my adventures, I bought this from my friend living near the mountains.

It is such a precious one, rare indeed.

[catttan]

A rare and precious orchid indeed, Derek. What a find!!

[PhilsDC]

Thanks Yew.

[Halloamey]

Derek, I am not really sure if it is a variegated plant, such patterns can arise from nutrient deficiency, which is common among wild plants, only time will tell.

[delphiguy]

Awesome Derek.... congratulations on the find.

[siaogu]

I also read that some variegation can occur when the plants come into contact with certain chemicals. Not very sure. But I would love to see the flower of this plant.

[PhilsDC]

Thanks.

Mutation occurs when the plant system was altered through physical, chemical, environmental and irradiation factors. Sometimes insect or microbes like bacteria and virus may also generate mutation in tissues. Or even nutrient loss may also inhibit mutation for plants able to survived by changing mechanism (possible to evolved into another species or variety).

Variegation can be manipulated in laboratories through gamma irradiation but it will take about 5 generations to produce consistent mutant for an individual organism such as plants. In nature, the ultraviolet light of sun's rays is one key factor of mutation. If an organism is fully exposed to these rays, their genetic structures will be altered, and sometimes of too much exposure the organism dies out.

In other case such as radioactivity of the area containing radioactive elements or isotopes may alter genes to mutate.

For microbes like bacteria and virus may affect physical structures permanently to a particular organism if infection is too strong.

Like an example of Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing, many organisms mutated and they found a variegated rice or grasses growing.

This present Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant radiation exposures may produced mutant organism along its range which is very dangerous for us to go near in radiation exposure.

[Halloamey]

Yes Derek what you write is true, but what I mean is that there might be no mutation at all. When given proper care the plant will grow into the normal type, which will not happen incase of a true variegated form, only time will tell. When we see atleast 3 new set of leaves that emerge under your proper culture which still look variegated, then we can conclude that it is a true variegated form, I keep my fingers crossed for you.