Alright, I have a few questions. I have a paph (Oberhausen's Diament 'Algonquin' x Kolosand 'Little Egypt AM/AOS') and I was wondering, what qualifies some plants for registered hybrid names whereas others take on the name of both parents? Is it because both parents are hybrids? Because I also have a phrag (warscewiczianum 'Windy Hill' x wallisii 'Tower Grove' HCC/AOS), which are both species (debateably). I'm so confused...:confused: Anyone know?

My understanding is that the hybridizer can name his/her hybrid anything they want (following certain standards). Clonal names belong to specific plants and are named by the owner, usually after it is awarded. Until a hybrid is named, it's "name" is the names of the two parents.

People pay money to register hybrids. You can also register a hybrid that has not yet been registered. There is a fee involved, but I am not sure how much it is. I believe Orchids Limited has a list of some of their hybrids that are available for registration. Your example of warscewiczianum 'Windy Hill' x wallisii 'Tower Grove' HCC/AOS is still considered a hybrid because they are two DIFFERENT species. If it was two of the SAME species being crossed then it would still be a species and would retain the original name. BUT you can add any clonal name you want to differentiate between clones of the same species. If you get an award you can register your clonal name. I give my un-named species plants clonal names all the time just for fun. :p

Teresa is correct, plants are known by their parents untill named. A plant is named by registering the cross with the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) in England. It only costs $12-13 to do so, unless you have to pay someone for the rights to name that cross.

The RHS records both who registers the plant, and the originator of the cross, who has the primary right to selecting a name. If the originator is known, you need their permission to name the cross. If the originator is unknown, you should document a reasonable effort at tracking the originator down. Also, if you name the cross for a living person, you need that persons permission.

Anyone can give a clonal name to an individual plant (and it is required for any plant getting an award from the AOS). I have known people who put a clonal name on every plant they owned, whether it was good, bad or indifferent. That is obviously not the idea. Most growers are responsible enough, that they only give clonal names to plants with outstanding characteristics.

Now to the flip side. It drives me nuts when I see hybrids made with parents who have no name. For example, I have a few where the 'name' consists of ([X x Y] x [Z x Q]). This plant can't be named untill [X x Y] and [Z x Q] have been given names. Since you must submit a photo of the flower with any name application, you can see the problem.

Kim

I give my un-named species plants clonal names all the time just for fun. :p


Most growers are responsible enough, that they only give clonal names to plants with outstanding characteristics.

Leaves...my species plants have outstanding leaves...:poke:

Now to the flip side. It drives me nuts when I see hybrids made with parents who have no name. For example, I have a few where the 'name' consists of ([X x Y] x [Z x Q]). This plant can't be named untill [X x Y] and [Z x Q] have been given names. Since you must submit a photo of the flower with any name application, you can see the problem.

Only primary hybrids or a new hybrid genus require a photograph.

Where do you find out if the cross is already named? B/c I did some researching and found out that popowii (syn. warscewiczianum) x wallisii is called phrag. Stairway to Heaven (a very cool and appropriate name), but still no info on OD x KS... I have checked Antec's website, but do not have access to Wildcatt or Orchidwiz or any other databases. The plants were bought from Marilyn LeDoux, so if I am correct, she would have sole rights on hybrid and clonal naming, right? This is all so confusing...

Not necessarily but I think Marilyn did register a few plants herself, not sure if she is the one who registered Stairway to Heaven, though.

Yes, I have seen her names on the Phragweb database under quite a few plants.

Where do you find out if the cross is already named? B/c I did some researching and found out that popowii (syn. warscewiczianum) x wallisii is called phrag. Stairway to Heaven (a very cool and appropriate name), but still no info on OD x KS... I have checked Antec's website, but do not have access to Wildcatt or Orchidwiz or any other databases. The plants were bought from Marilyn LeDoux, so if I am correct, she would have sole rights on hybrid and clonal naming, right? This is all so confusing...

Adam,

You can look up any two plants on the RHS web site and see whether their offspring has been registered (you may need to enter them both ways: A x B and B x A). The web site is www.rhs.org.uk/seedlist/registerpages/orchid_parentage.asp

Br,
Kim

Thanks for the link!

Hi Adam,
Here is an other link, http://www.rhs.org.uk/learning/publications/pubs_journals_orchid_hybrid.asp
You can look there each 3 to 4 months and they give you all the new orchids registrations.
Jean-Pierre

Cool link! I guess it turns out that I just wasn't looking hard enough... I can usually navigate the net fairly easily. Thanks all!