Cloning ain't always perfect
 

People assume that when you purchase a cloned plant, it will be identical to the "mother" in every way. Not only will your individual culture play a role in how the plant blooms out, but mistakes happen in the replication process, sometimes giving totally odd results.

In this case, I think the "mutation" worked in my favor.

Many years ago I purchased some seedling clones of Cymbidium Nut 'H&R'. Here is a picture of the typical flower, with maroon overtones on an olive green background. I'll admit that this is not as maroon as it usually is, probably not enough sun during bud development.


This is another plant from the same clone, but obviously the color is manifested entirely differently.

That is really interesting, Ray. Were both plants grown in the same environs?
Both are beautiful in their own right, but if you're after a certain result, it could be quite disappointing. :shock:

There are many examples of such variation within a mericloned population. If you look at a large group of mericlones many can be selected that are different. Some better, some worse......Sometimes new forms are awarded from such plants and polyploidy can be expressed.

Cloning is intended to have several plants/animals with exactly the same genetic information, which is easily achieved in most cases. However, when sequential cloning or using of "old" cloning material (I don't mean old plants, but old tissue cultures) it is quite common to have some clons expressing mutations (of any possible kind, including polyploids, depletions or expression of dormant genes/viruses) In chids meristematic cloning for commercial uses, it is normally the case that from a single piece of tissue as many clons as possible are produce. In this case, Ray, congratulations!! A very nice clon, even if not like the original (which I have to admit I like better :D)

of course, environmental conditions can also has an effect on the expression of the genetic pool, and can make clons look different. However, it is normally not as extrem as in the two plants presented by Ray ;)

Ray, nice thing bringing this to attention. For those who deal with orchids long enough this is not surprising. The cell replication process during the protocorm formation is not free of errors. This is the same basic mechanism acting in nature that produces casual mutations (some of them we love so much in orchids, like albino flowers, peloric, striped and so many other mutations of aesthetic value). Mass produced mericlones can always bring surprises as to the genes mutations. Practical experiences seem to point out that mutations may be increased if successive generations of the same old 'ancestor' are mericloned (I mean plant 'F' generates F1, then a plant of F1 is mericloned generating F2, then a plant of F2 is mericloned generating F3...). That's what happened with a Blc. Helen Brown here, which has been submited to sequential mericloning. One day, along with several other minor variations, a perfect tri-lipped 'mericlone' flowered!

I think this was a single-batch cloning, not multigenerational replication, and yes, they have been side-by-side on the bench since I got them, and were even moved to S/H culture at the same time.

The plants are the same size, bloom at the same time every year, and even started blooming for the first time together a few years ago.

Nice variation Ray , I think you came out of the right side of that one . I import clones from Oz and very often there is a big difference in not only color but form as well. It can be frustrating especially when you have eagle eyed customers who notice even small differences. My next import will be seedlings only!!

Veeery Interesting:scratchhead:

I imported some Nuts last year, and they all look like your second one, Ray. Came out of Taiwan, if I recall.

I like the pinker one better anyway, not sure I would have wanted the 'original'.