| Q I
have two phalaenopsis, each bought from a reputable plant shop. On both
plants, which are carrying a number of flowers per spike, the back flower
has only the column and no lip. Why has this happened? The plants were
bought in flower and have not re-bloomed with me. A I think this is a clear case of careless handling in transit, as it seems just too coincidental that both of your phalaenopsis are similarly afflicted. Phalaenopsis lips are notorious for catching in things and my guess is that your plants got tangled up enroute. But if they bloom this way again, please write and we will look into this problem further. —Andy Easton. |
Reprinted, with permission, from "Orchids" - The Magazine of the American Orchid Society, July, 2001.