Why a NoID is a NoID.

[FairyInTheFlowers]

I am sure you all have them, NoIDs, the plants you buy at the big-box stores, and even home-improvement stores. But you might wonder, what exactly makes an orchid a NoID? Essentially, the fact of having no name makes an orchid a NoID, which is pretty much self-explanitory. But there are several reasons why they may never lose that status. One, even if it looks like a spieces, there are large chances that there is something else bred in it. This is even more true for complex hybrids of any genus, there is just way to many hybrids to accurately put a name on it. The main reasons for this is that there are many hybrids that can have a HUGE variation in color and shape, and there are many diferent hybrids that have the same color and shape. Now even if you think you have the "correct" identification, there are several dangers of trying to put a name on a NoID. First of, judging. Though many of you may never take an orchid in for judging, if there is just one hint of doubt of the proper name of an orchid, it might not even get judged, and if it happens to win a prize, any hybrids with that plant are going to have an iffy parent. This throws a GIANT wrench into the judging system. Now you might say that you are never goign to take that orchid in an have it judged, but lets say you give a division or keiki to a friend, tell them the name you think it is, and they have it judged. Once more, that can throw a wrench in the judging system. Now please don't get offended with this, because I am just trying to state the facts without sounding mean or trying to take your hope away. There are a few cases where the orchid might be you own plant, and you loose its name, but find it years later, or you forget the name of a plant your friend gave you, where you can get the name from them. I hope you people learn a lot from this post, as I am sure that there are many NoID lovers out there, and they are usually a persons first orchid! HAPPY ORCHID GROWING!