Northern vs Southern hemisphere flower development

[Paphluvr]

Has anyone out there ever grown the same long, twisted petal species in both the North and South hemisphere? Namely, something along the line of Paph. parishii or sanderianum. What I'm wondering is, is the petal twist determined by genetics or gravity? Just like water going down the drain in opposite directions in the two hemispheres, does gravity affect the twist of the petals (i.e., clockwise vs counter-clockwise) or is it genetically determined by the plant?

 

[naoki]

Interesting to know the answer. In Palm tree, there is the correlation you mention: http://aob.oxfordjournals.org/content/82/1/133
The spiral of palm tree is called phyllotaxis, and the plant hormone, auxin, is involved in shaping the pattern.

 

[polyantha]

Very interesting question. See at this Australian sandie:
http://www.healingorchids.com.au/single-essences/celebration-paph.-sanderianum.html
I think it has the same twist as the ones in the northern hemispere, right?

 

[Ozpaph]

Very interesting question. See at this Australian sandie:
http://www.healingorchids.com.au/single-essences/celebration-paph.-sanderianum.html
I think it has the same twist as the ones in the northern hemispere, right?

Hardly likely that was grown on Australia. Suggest looking at the AOC awards site for paphs with twisty petals - http://www.orchidsaustralia.com/aoc_judging.html