hybrid/cross naming conventions
 

hi, i am wondering how a orchid cross's name is written. for example, with a plant like Brassavola nodosa x subulifera, is the nodosa the pollen donor or the mother plant/"egg donor?" ie., does the order in which the parents are written indicate which one is the mother and which one is the father? if so, do vendors usually follow this convention when listing their plants?

From my understanding... when the parents names are written out in a cross, the pod (seed) parent comes first and then the pollen parent next (e.g., nodosa x subulifera). I believe once a hybrid name is registered, the same name is used for a reverse cross (e.g., subulifera x nodosa). Even though the registered hybrid name is the same for either combination, I think - but am not sure - that the seedlings could be different (I have not created an orchid hybrid, so hopefully other members will chime in ~ there are many knowledgeable members experienced with orchid crosses who post on this site).

I have created a few Tillandsia hybrids, and I do know that the seed parent can influence a hybrid (with its traits) quite a bit. Don't know if the same is true for orchids.

Late note: I know what a Brassavola nodosa is, but what is subulifera? Did you mean B. subulifolia (aka: cordata)?

"Ladies come first"

thanks! and yes, i did mean B. subulifolia, aka cordata. :blushing:

Actually, the proper way to write that would be

Brassavola Little Stars.

Most vendors do follow the prescribed naming conventions [(pod parent x pollen parent) = Grex].

However, if they give you the Grex name only, you won't know whether it is (A x B) or (B x A). And, that can make a considerable difference in terms of flower shape & color.

True, which is why I think reciprocals should have different names.

Ray,

I agree, but getting the RHS & Kew to change 160 years of tradition is another matter.

In the day lily world, they register names for each individual clone, so there you know exactly what you will get, when you buy a named plant.