Orchid Care OrchidTalk Orchid Forum Links Nursery

Welcome to OrchidTalk Orchid Forums


The Friendliest Orchid Community on the Internet!


  •  » Learn to Repot your Orchids
  •  » Learn Orchid Care Tips and Secrets
  •  » Find the perfect Orchid for your Growing Environment
  •  » Chat with Orchid Growing Professionals

OrchidTalk - "Bringing People Together to Grow Orchids Better!"


Let us help you grow your Orchids better; Join our community today.


YES! I want to register an account for free right now!


Register or Login now to remove this advertisement.

Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Genetics 102

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Real Name
    Howard
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Anything That Will Grow
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    W. Bloomfield, Michigan
    Posts
    1,261
    Member's Country Flag

    Question Genetics 102

    I have a question, not so much as to name, etc., but to genetics or growth habits...or maybe it is growing techniques. The pics are of two "different" plants; pics 1 & 2 are of the same and 3 & 4 are the same. The 1st looks like a miniture multifloral with flowers on short spikes about 1.5" and the 2nd has 2 spikes with flowers about 3.5". Their colors are similar and probably due to having a common parent like Phal Everspring King. I understand there is no way to determine what's what without going back to the breeder and getting specifics, but in general can growing techniques influence the size, quantity and quality of the flowers or is it the "genetics" of each plant? Oh, by the way, if anyone has a clue as to names....GREAT!
    Attached Images Attached Images     

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    7,068

    Default

    The answer it's too statisfying: both have an influence.

    McJulie

  3. #3
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Phalaenopsis cymbidium dendrob
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Harpham in East Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    1,113

    Default

    Not a clue but I would be more than happy to give a home to either of them! Especially the first one, drools, Judi

  4. #4
    Real Name
    Howard
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Anything That Will Grow
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    W. Bloomfield, Michigan
    Posts
    1,261
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    Judi,
    Thanks for the compliments...and this comment isn't meant to hurt, but believe it or not both are Costco specials! That's right good ol' costco for $19.95. I'd be paying $50.00 or more for either in my area (SW Detroit - West Bloomfield). And dthe leaves are not mottled...those spots are water/mineral deposits which I will clean up with some lemon juice.

  5. #5
    Real Name
    Bruce Brown
    My Grow Area
    Greenhouse
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Cattleyas & Slippers
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Gender
    Male
    Location
    Arkansas
    Posts
    35,135
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    That is an easy question to answer- YES. Genetics obviously matters and plants can be crossed into mules that will never reproduce, but the quality of growing environment greatly effects the plants growth habit and blooming.

    One example of a growing technique that causes flowers to become successively smaller and fewer is letting a plant that has multiple, successive blooms continue to bloom forever. The longer the plant blooms on the same spike, the smaller the blooms become and the weaker the plant becomes. Phals for example will *usually* bloom again on the same spike if the spike is not removed from the plant. Some folks cut the spike back just a bit to get it to branch and re-bloom. This will eventually weaken the plant and the blooms will never be as large as they were when the plant first bloomed and was healthy. We almost always cut off spikes when the flowers fade to let the plant grow and get ready for the next blooming cycle.

    The amounts of fertilizer your home grown orchid receives will also effect its ability to live a long life and grow and bloom. If you never fertilize your orchid, eventually the plants medium will no longer have enough nutrients to support it any longer and the plant will begin to die. This *might* cause one last bloom attempt, but the flowers from this type of stress are much smaller and fewer than those from a healthy plant.

    These are just a few experience examples. I hope it helps to answer your question.

    Cheers,
    BD

  6. #6
    Real Name
    Fren
    My Grow Area
    Under Lights.
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Phrags, Paphs, Catts
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Edmonton, Canada
    Posts
    2,202
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    Stunning display of harlequins.

    Growing technique does matter. An awarded plant may give the worst looking blooms if it is not grown properly.
    For example during the winter my blooms are reflexed, have smaller flower count and smaller sized, while during the summer they are much improved. Probably due to short day length and cloudy skies.

    I also read some phals bloom better in lower light, while others bloom better in higher light.

    Also if the temps are cooler for harlequins they tend to make more purple blotches. I only had my harlequin for a year but I found that to be true.

    And I agree with BD old spikes tend to give smaller blooms, but it depends on how much energy the plant has and how many spikes are blooming. I do find old spikes give smaller flower counts. I also have seen large flower counts on the same spike at a show, but the very last blooms at the end of the spike were significantly smaller, sort of like the plant ran out of energy.

  7. #7

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Brutal_Dreamer View Post

    One example of a growing technique that causes flowers to become successively smaller and fewer is letting a plant that has multiple, successive blooms continue to bloom forever. The longer the plant blooms on the same spike, the smaller the blooms become and the weaker the plant becomes.
    And even that depends on the genetics. There are a few very vigorous hybrids (can't remember names) that can take that sequential blooming abuse with no problem at all and the plant doesn't seem to be setback at all.

  8. #8
    Real Name
    Connie
    My Grow Area
    Porch/Patio.
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Mini Vanda, Schombs &Encyclia.
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    West of Tampa, FL
    Posts
    9,271
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    So basically what you all are saying is that each orchid has it's own personality and some of them are as moody as a human during a full moon?! Hmm....they should fit right in at my house then.
    Connie

  9. #9
    My Grow Area
    Windowsill
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Phals, Vandas, Catts, Paphs
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    South West London
    Posts
    1,318
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    Yes, and just when a newbie thinks they may have found "their" type of orchid, along comes a cute hybrid that goes and stumps the hell out of them by being totally difficult to please... Sigh....

    Not that I am talking from personal experience....

Similar Threads

  1. Genetics 101
    By Bikerdoc5968 in forum General Orchid Culture
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: May 4th, 2007, 11:00 PM
  2. Genetics Information Question
    By jrod in forum Breeding & Hybridization
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: November 17th, 2006, 08:23 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
OrchidTalk --An Orchid Growers Discussion Forum brought to you by River Valley Orchidworks. A World Community where orchid beginners and experts talk about orchids and share tips on their care, cultivation, and propagation.