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Cloning a special phal, what are your thoughts???

14 years ago

Just received this message from a fellow grower, any thoughts will be appreciated!

There's an add in the Orchids magazine, "better Blooming orchids" -- they will clone your phalaenopsis, for $100 you get 25 plants and it takes up to 9 months. I'm seriously thinking of doing that with the big white phal from Dr. Wang. I paid $80 for that thing -- and would love to have a few more. What do you think of the idea?? Can you ask your forum if anyone has tried that?

TIA. Sheila :)

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Comments (5)

terpguy
14 years ago
Haven't tried it but it strikes me as cheaper to buy a couple other beautiful white phals than it would be to clone it. If he has the money and wants to do it, go for it. Probably not something I would do. Do remind him though that his original plant will be destroyed in the process, and if something goes wrong in the process like flask contamination, he could wind up with nothing.
terpguy
14 years ago
Though, assuming things go right and your friend even gets half to survive, he'll have a few plants to sell and make his money back.

Just had a thought: what's the purpose? If he just wants more pretty plants, there are plenty of cheaper ones ge can buy for less. Buy off his wish list, I.e. This process would probably make more sense if this plant has serious sentimental value or is somehow superior to others/is awarded.
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highjack
14 years ago
To get 25 plants it sounds like the cloning technique would be a stem prop. The plant is not destroyed since only a newly blooming spike is used. The spike is cut off, the cut sealed with wax and it is shipped overnight to the cloning lab.

I sent a spike to someone that wanted it and the babies are growing in a flask as I type.

Brooke
terpguy
14 years ago
Actually Brooke brings up a good point: to really opine on the question it would help to know the propagation method. I assumed meristem culture, which I would hesitate to agree with. If it is stem props, I'd say go for it since theres no risk to the original plant.

I just scoured their website (www.betterorchids.com) and they make no mention of this service for hobbyists, so it'd be hard to say. They mostly propagate Phals to sell to nursery's, and given the volume they work with it wouldn't surprise me if it were indeed meristem. I dunno. I'd have your friend contact them and clarify the propagation method before making a decision.

On a slight tangent, but still related, this is an article regarding development of phalaenopsis for mass marketing:

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/ncnu02/v5-458.html
Sheila
Original Author
14 years ago
Yes, this plant has sentimental value to her and is also the largest white phal I've ever seen, truly quite incredible. I believe it's also been awarded. The only info I have is what she sent me, but she'd never risk having her plant destroyed, so I'd assume it is for a stem prop. I'm going to send her a link to this thread, so she can read it and answer your questions.

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