New Phal - Nice bloom shape.

[OrchidAddict]

I haven't heard of peloric phals before! Shows how "green" i am! It certainly is gorgeous! Are they grown in the same conditions as an "ordinary" phal?!
Bumblebee

The peloric trait is actually a genetic mutation that happens when the plant is first developing. Many pelorics actually look pretty terrible...they have deformed petals and strange, pinched-looking sections...not very attractive at all. I call those "partial pelorics," which isn't their official name, but I call them that because it looks like the plant was attempting to develop the petals into lip-shaped growths, but just never got it quite right.

Here's one that never quite got where it was headed:


Here's one I bought on impulse because it was just so weird...fully peloric, but the pointy-ness of the lip on this one made the flowers look like they had "beaks!" I eventually decided I wasn't too fond of it and gave it to a friend.


However, orchid breeders have discovered that when a plant goes "fully" peloric like yours is, where the petals are perfectly curved around, simulating the appearance of a Lycaste, it can actually be quite beautiful, unique, and desirable. So now breeders have begun breeding peloric plants just for the sake of making pretty, different-looking orchids. They grow in the same conditions as their "regular" cousins; they just look different.

A lot of plants are actually peloric and you probably don't even realize it. Many of the "splash-petal" Cattleyas that are hot right now are peloric; it's the only way to get the "splash" on the petals...otherwise the petals and sepals would be uniform in color, and the contrasting color would be limited to the lip like a traditional Catt. Do a Google search on "peloric phalaenopsis" if you get a chance...you'll see all kinds of neat pictures!

But finally, I'll leave you with this monstrosity: (This is what I consider a horrific peloric paph. I don't own this one...just happened to see it offered online. I was rather, well, disgusted!)

WHEN PELORIC GOES WRONG!!

[Bumblebee]

hank you OrchidAddict! I have to admit I don't like the last photo! I think it's really awful, if one can say such a thing about a flower, especially an orchid! The one you bought on impulse is rather lovely. I would have bought it from you if I'd live in USA. I think, in other plant worlds, ie: roses etc, these types of plants are called mutants. Not totally sure though.
Your info was very interesting. Thank you so much.
Cheers,
Bumblebee

[OrchidAddict]

hank you OrchidAddict! I have to admit I don't like the last photo! I think it's really awful, if one can say such a thing about a flower, especially an orchid! The one you bought on impulse is rather lovely. I would have bought it from you if I'd live in USA. I think, in other plant worlds, ie: roses etc, these types of plants are called mutants. Not totally sure though.
Your info was very interesting. Thank you so much.
Cheers,
Bumblebee

Hehee...I agree about the "awfulness" of that last pic. I think it borders on grotesque. You should have seen some of the comments I got on that pic when I first posted a thread about it here on the forum. I had spotted it online and wanted to know what everyone else thought. The genuine consensus was: DISGUSTING! It's sad to say that about an orchid, but for this one it just happens to be true.

I actually have a real fascination with pelorics. You're right...they are mutants. That's exactly what they are...and sometimes the mutations come out all wonky, but sometimes they turn out AMAZING, and even graceful like yours. Check out this awesome little phal below...I'd love to own this one. It looks sort of futuristic! Its name is Phalaenopsis Little Princess 'Peloric.'

Attachment 61411

I think the magic in this is the perfect symmetry of the mutation. And look at this charming little beauty below:

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Adorable, right?

So, sometimes it comes out great, and sometimes, well, not so much. I might as well post a pic of a peloric I recently bought...I was going to start a new thread on it, but I think it would be appropriate to post it here. It's a partial peloric, which I'm not usually crazy about, but the way this one worked out sort of makes it look like it has angel or butterfly wings. I'd love to name it "Little Butterfly" or something, but of course it will never be named, because it's a NOID.... but check out the cuteness that happened when this one tried to go peloric but didn't make it all the way:



The only thing I wasn't crazy about was that this one came in a bag and the spikes had grown oddly in their confinement, so the flowers were sort of facing all over the place. This is the best I could do at arranging it into something pleasing, but I think it works, and I'm happy with my new "partial peloric" addition! And I like that the little "butterfly wings" look the same on all the flowers! Sometimes you get ones that are great and then others that are awful, all on the same plant. But I'm happy with my little "Butterfly!"



Anyway, now you'll know what you're looking at when you see something with contrasting colors on the petals! They're getting pretty advanced with manipulating the peloric traits these days, so it makes for some pretty new and creative offerings in the orchid world. Happy growing!

[V-W]

Wow I think I need to get myself a Phalaenopsis Little Princess 'Peloric.'! I also love your 'Little Butterfly', so cute!

[Bumblebee]

There are two words to describe your peloric orchid "Little Princess" beautiful and stunning! I'm in love!! You saying about two colours being on and orchid makes it a mutant, in the Phal world, I didn't realize that. Obvious really! I wil be looking far more closely in future.
Cheers Bumblebee