Orchid ODDITY? My orchid made a siamese twin flower!?!?!

xdartfrogx · #1 04-12-2010, 10:37 PM

Hi! I'm new to orchids and this forum. An orchid I purchsed finally opened it's blooms and one is a double flower! It is coming off of one stem from the main branch. There seems to be a main flower and then a second flower that is using 2 petals from the first flower to complete it's flower.

My questions are:
Is this normal?

Does it happen often?

What type of orchid does this seem to be? (It was unlabeled when I got it)

Anyone's help would be graciously appreciated!
Thank You!

EdM-in-TN · #2 04-13-2010, 10:30 AM

Hi Dart,

Your orchid appears to be a Beallara or a similar oncidium-type hybrid, but no actual name for the plant without photos of better flowers.

No, its not normal for a plant to produce flowers this way. It may be a one-time occurance or the plant could be genetically damaged. If it does it again throw the plant out and find one with good flowers.

Hope this helps.

DREW HARTIS · #3 04-14-2010, 05:21 PM

If this was the first time this orchid has bloomed it may be a fluke. If it happens again I would agree that something is wrong in its genetic makeup and not worth the time to grow on. Is it possible that the plant was exposed to any chemicals before it bloomed or to unusual conditions that could have caused the buds to deform?

xdartfrogx · #4 04-15-2010, 06:18 PM

I'm not aware of any chemicals that the plant may have been exposed to in my hands. I did not notice a deformed bud or anything when I got it. I have only had the plant for about 3 weeks now. It came from Trader Joes and was labeled as an Oncidium. The tiny bar code sticker off the plastic wrap says McLellan Botanicals Aromas, CA. The plant is a 3" Mini Orchid. I really do like the flower on this one. I wouldn't have the heart to trash it if it does do this interesting flowering again. I simply thought it was beautiful and intriguing. I have brought home 7 orchids total now due to this beautiful first plant

DREW HARTIS · #5 04-16-2010, 05:31 PM

I would wait until it blooms again and see if things are different. Having been grown in one location and sent to another may well have shocked it. It while it was at Trader Joes it was not watered well and taken care of it may have bloomed deformed. Let's hope so because your plant looks very healthy and that I really believe you will enjoy growing Oncidium type plants. They are very rewarding.

xdartfrogx · #6 04-17-2010, 08:32 PM

I hope it brings more beautiful flowers down the road. I have actually grown to favor Paphiopedilums! Anyone know where I could get some pretty ones that would be inexpensive beginner orchids? Thank you all in advance!

fotofashion · #7 04-18-2010, 11:25 AM

I have a Laelia anceps that did the same thing. One lead had the double lip flower the other lead had three normal flowers. Last summer I also had an Epiphyllum strictum that did that too. Only one flower was fused, the rest normal. I don't use chemicals on my plants and live in the "sticks".
Beverly A.