The Orchid Garden

Unusual flower direction

Question:

Upside down to us is actually rightside up. I’m going to go and do a deja.com search now to see who it was that said

Interestingly, the buds actually come off the spike in a concave down fashion so that the flower points up instead of the usual concave down. Howard

Response:

Couple of questions Howard, I assume this is a mericlone.  Have you talked to the vendor who sold you the plant?  Or was it not a vendor?  Either way, talk to who sold you the plant so that they are aware of the problem and can make suggestions or replace. Regards, Stephen

Good idea..I think I will.  I am sure they new nothing of it because it is the first blooming for this plant. Howard

Response:

You know, this happened to me this past summer on a BLC. Momilani Rainbow. I asked about it here and at least two people said that this was the way they actually opened up in nature. Upside down to us is actually rightside up. I’m going to go and do a deja.com search now to see who it was that said this. Mike

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My BLC. William Stewart ‘First Love’ just opened its first bloom ever. There are 3 buds on the spike.  The bizarre thing is that the flower opened literally facing up and it looks like at least the second bud will do so as well. The flower is a beaut but the looking upward does detract from it a bit.  How common is this and what causes it?  Is it likely to occur with all flowerings of this plant? Howard

Response:

Hi Howard, Stephen

pointing bolt upright on thick, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – non-bending stems with no deviation from straight up.

Response:

Hi Howard, Stephen

LOL….must be because it is the plant’s "first bloom" Howard

Response:

My BLC. William Stewart ‘First Love’ just opened its first bloom ever. There are 3 buds on the spike.  The bizarre thing is that the flower opened literally facing up and it looks like at least the second bud will do so as well. The flower is a beaut but the looking upward does detract from it a bit.  How common is this and what causes it?  Is it likely to occur with all flowerings of this plant? Howard

Couple of questions Howard, I assume this is a mericlone.  Have you talked to the vendor who sold you the plant?  Or was it not a vendor?  Either way, talk to who sold you the plant so that they are aware of the problem and can make suggestions or replace. Regards, Stephen

Response:

Hello Dr. Howard, I think Pam is correct so try moving the plant away & higher before the other buds open. To me this will prove your question. Cheers Wendy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My BLC. William Stewart ‘First Love’ just opened its first bloom ever. There are 3 buds on the spike.  The bizarre thing is that the flower opened literally facing up and it looks like at least the second bud will do so as well. The flower is a beaut but the looking upward does detract from it a bit.  How common is this and what causes it?  Is it likely to occur with all flowerings of this plant? Howard

Response:

I think Pam is correct so try moving the plant away & higher before the other buds open. To me this will prove your question.

The plant is indoors under HID light….but the light is on a rail and constantly moving.  None of the other plants next to it seem to have bloomed this way.  The buds seem to have grown pointing bolt upright on thick, non-bending stems with no deviation from straight up. Howard

Response:

Howard, It sounds like nothing more than light sensitivity or phototropism (sp?), growth toward the light.  When the buds are well-formed, next time you may wish to shade the plant or take it indoors. . . . Pam Everything Orchid Management System http://www.pe.net/~profpam/page3.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My BLC. William Stewart ‘First Love’ just opened its first bloom ever.  There are 3 buds on the spike.  The bizarre thing is that the flower opened literally facing up and it looks like at least the second bud will do so as well.  The flower is a beaut but the looking upward does detract from it a bit.  How common is this and what causes it?  Is it likely to occur with all flowerings of this plant? Howard

Response:

My BLC. William Stewart ‘First Love’ just opened its first bloom ever.  There are 3 buds on the spike.  The bizarre thing is that the flower opened literally facing up and it looks like at least the second bud will do so as well.  The flower is a beaut but the looking upward does detract from it a bit.  How common is this and what causes it?  Is it likely to occur with all flowerings of this plant? Howard

Response:

Filed under: Orchid Flower

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