Orchid naming for dummies - Orchid Board

Piper · #1 (**permalink**) 05-27-2006, 12:16 PM

There's a new story entry added:

Orchid naming for dummies

Quote:

Or at least for newbies... since there's no such thing as a dumb newbie....Or was that, there's no such thing as a new dumbie?Orchid lingo is Byzantine. Latin, actually. But just as hard to decipher as if it were from Byzantium. But it's also precise. A name can tell you A LOT about that lovely critter you're contemplating, or have just in fact purchased.Let's start at the top. The Family is Orchidaceae. That is, orchids. This is the easy part. Now, buckle up!

Tindomul · #2 (**permalink**) 05-27-2006, 02:56 PM

I like your writing style. Very informative, and now Im worried that some of my orchids are NOID's.

Thanks for the article, and great to see you around here.

Piper · #3 (**permalink**) 05-27-2006, 04:24 PM

Thanks, Tindo!

I've got some NOIDS too, but it doesn't mean you can't love them! I just get ticked when I walk into expensive florists or nurseries and see orchids selling with big, fat price tags and they're NOIDS.

If you're in the business, it's easy to get accurately named plants, if you bother to try. To charge more for a NOID is criminal and signifies a small, greedy brain.

I wasn't the first to say it, but I agree - an orchid seller has two responsibilities (that you're paying for): selling a healthy plant and getting the name right. Without both, the price should be negotiated down.

Julie

Maba · #4 (**permalink**) 06-02-2006, 09:49 PM

Thanks Julie, that is very well written. I will read another 5 or 6 times and maybe it will finally sink in! SO glad this isn't a pop quiz situation!

Maba/Mehera

Elena · #5 (**permalink**) 03-05-2007, 03:35 PM

I'm sorry for bumping up an old thread but can I just say a massive thank you for this article - so useful and easy to understand for someone brand new to orchids

cb977 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-05-2007, 03:43 PM

Elena, there's never a need to apologize here

Bumping up older threads gives our newer members a chance to see some great stuff they might otherwise miss...and it gives the rest of us a refresher

Thanks

Elena · #7 (**permalink**) 03-05-2007, 03:54 PM

Gotcha! I'm not sorry then

My books left me more confused than ever with their explanations of how orchids are named so this article was excactly what I needed.

Moyra · #8 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 03:59 PM

This helped SO much! I know mine are NOIDs already, it's what happens when you buy from Home Depot, lol. But they're my first two and after that i think i'll be searching growers in my area to see what's around. This post is very much appreciated

Shelley · #9 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008, 02:53 AM

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm a newbie to orchid growing, and I have been completely baffled by the names. Now I feel I can shop wisely, and know exactly what I'm buying.