My terribly mutated cattleya flowers

[orchidaddict789]

In my other thread here, Weird catt buds, see pics, I was concerned with my suspicious catt buds. Now they've opened, and...



They're terribly mutated! The flowers are all peloric, meaning that the lips look exactly like the other petals. Ok, one flower is not so peloric, because it has something sort of like a lip, but it still doesn't look right.





This is what the flower is supposed to look like, from last year's blooming:



My question is...do you think the mutation is permanent? in other words, did I permanently mess up the orchid's genes by using too much superthrive? or do you think the flowers will be back to normal, once I stop using superthrive? thanks!

[sunshine]

I've used superthrive pretty regularly and have never had this problem. I find it still pretty and different. I guess the only thing you can do is let the plant go throw the blooming cycle and see what happens the next time.

[digitalgate]

U need to change the brand of fertilizer ,you are currently using. Dont post the name here, it is liable for law suit .

[orchids4me]

Hi,
Is this its first blooming ? Could be lighting as why its not as bright as your comparison pic and it could have a cross in it that changes the blooms from what the comparison pic has. Super thribe is B vitamins. It wouldn't cause this but other factors may have.
It does look like some sort of Blc

[Brooke]

I answered you on the Garden Web but I see where you got your thought the problem is caused by Superthrive. The originator of the too much Superthrive = mutated blooms is the only person I've ever heard say this.

No I don't think Superthrive caused the problem and your catt should be fine on future blooms because catts grow from new leads.

Brooke

[11Orchid126]

I said on the Garden Web that the color is beautiful. What is the name of the plant?

[jcaesar1310]

Originally Posted by orchidaddict789

They're terribly mutated! The flowers are all peloric, meaning that the lips look exactly like the other petals. Ok, one flower is not so peloric, because it has something sort of like a lip, but it still doesn't look right.



This is what the flower is supposed to look like, from last year's blooming:



My question is...do you think the mutation is permanent? in other words, did I permanently mess up the orchid's genes by using too much superthrive? or do you think the flowers will be back to normal, once I stop using superthrive? thanks!

Cool Flowers!

I'm pretty sure Superthrive or fertilizer are not the culprit. I lean towards a chemical treatment to increase plody before you bought it or perhaps it has something in its background that isn't quite compatible. I wouldn't toss it. I'll bet if you put it on a show table at your local club it would generate a lot of interest and perhaps someone with similar experience could tell you something about it. Also, try Google searching the cross and see if anyone has posted similar pictures.

[psyc1210]

Yea, you could totally bring it to the BGOC meeting next weekend

[Anton]

I agree with Digitalgate, STOP using that fertilizer as it is adding extra hormones which the plant doesn't need. Next flowering should improve.

Seaweed extract is about the ONLY plant hormone treatment you should use, as the other stuff can change color and shape of Catts.

If you look that product up on the Internet, there are a lot of legitimate papers dispelling it's purported claims. All of that products claims cannot be backed up by scientific research I am afraid.

As Willowbanks says, "It's nothing but snake oil." I tend to agree, many won't, but if you back it up with scientific proof, then I am prepared to listen.

As a by note:
Here in Australia this product has been banned and ALL of the product has had to be removed from the shelves and destroyed as the Department of Agriculture has extensively tested it and has come to the conclusion it does not do what it is purported to do and as such does not live up to it's unsubstantiated advertising claims.

It is now illegal to import it into Australia, and ALL subsequent importations have been ceased and , and recently arrived stocks sent back to the U.S.

This is fact and not heresay, as the wholesale horticultural company I deal with showed me the paperwork sent to them by the Dept of Agriculture to remove it from their shelves.

[Brooke]

Really Anton? Could you share some links regarding these actions by the Ag Dept.

Brooke

[Anton]

I'll see what I can do.

[Anton]

Brooke, I spoke with my horticultural supplier this morning, and they said that all agents in Australia were told it is no longer being imported due to misleading advertising on the bottles, the labels are not specific in what is in the bottle, and that there is some constituent in it that contravenes Australia's import laws for chemicals.

They couldn't elaborate on what the constituent was, but evidently it was a joint venture from what they understand between Customs and Dept of Ag to ban it.

As there is no indication of ALL constituents in the bottle, this contravenes our labeling laws, which are some of the strictest in the world. "If it ain't on the label, it ain't allowed in the country."

In Australia, you have to prove your product does what it purports to do, or it is taken off the market. They don't go on hearsay here, and the claims on the bottles aren't enough.

Still looking up the other stuff on it, but time is limited now I am back at work.

[Brooke]

Anton then the Ag. Department didn't destroy it but they simply didn't like the MSDS label for it? My label says it contains .09% vitamin B-1 and 048% Naphthal acetic acid plus the common term, inert material, which means water. When you said destroyed and banned it sounded like the product eats small children.

I hope the Aussie boys who dabble in weed stocked up on Superthrive since most of them preferred it to Seasol

I've used Superthrive for years and learned about it from Bonsai growers and regrowing roots after drastic trimming. I guess because I follow the directions I've never experienced distorted blooms even on my Catts but I've also never burned roots from fertilizer either. I am probably the perfect sheeple

Brooke

[digitalgate]

we all have a little trick up the sleeve . What ever works and who ever produce the most majestic bloom ,will get ribbons!

[Anton]

Brooke I am just waiting for a reply from the quarantine service AQIS, evidently it is they who have banned it, and once I get a reply I'll let you know the outcome.

[orchidaddict789]

Sorry I've been busy with other stuff lately, and now I'm back. It was interesting reading through all the posts. I put 1 drop in my watering can, and I neglected to measure the volume of the can, which turned out to by only 0.4 gal. I've heard the correct concentration was 1 drop per gal. I think now I'll reserve ST for my sickly orchids only.

Actually I first learned of too much ST = deformed flowers when I was talking to a commercial orchid grower.

Interestingly, my other oncidium that I "overdosed" just bloomed and its flowers are normal. I guess I can't link cause with effect that clearly.

Btw the name is Slc. Jeweler's Art 'Waiomao Plum' HCC/AOS. The fragrance returned, which I really love--it sometimes spells like cinnamon rolls and sometimes like fresh roses.