Names, ID, crossing, etc...

[Lil Bit]

I'm looking at purchasing orchids online and sure could use a little help with understanding the way that plants are identified. I'm not looking for the long version, if that's possible, but sure would appreciate a quick lesson in understanding this whole new language.

For instance, I understand that PID: OC81 refers to the plant identification number. Does OC relate to Oncidium, since this particular plant is an Oncidium? Or do I have that all wrong?

I'm only using this as an example but what about this: "ODM Maureen X Haematochilum X Noorah X ODM Josephine". I'm assuming the "X" denotes that it's been crossed with a certain plant. Close???

What about the "ODM"?

I'm sorry to take up space here with a question that may have been answered many times over, but I have not been successful in my search for answers.

TIA, to anyone and everyone who might help me understand this confusing matter better.

Rita

[Mahon]

Rita,

I haven't heard of 'PID' denoting orchid numbers (because orchids are more specific than plants), I guess it varies from grower to grower. All of my specimens are prefixed with 'MAH', then numbered according to a 4 digit system (5 if necessary). Unless you are sure 'PID' means 'Plant Identification Number', it could denote the grower. Usually when an orchid is identified (like through the Orchid Identification Center), the voucher number would be prefixed with 'OIC', then a number.

As for the multiple genera being crossed (ODM Maureen X Haematochilum X Noorah X ODM Josephine), you would have to specify what the grex is for the Noorah and Haematochilum. It is relatively close, but would remain as a noID plant... it at least gives some idea to parentage and genera used in this multigeneric hybrid...

ODM isn't very useful, as it could mean Oncidium, Odontoglossum, etc (all genera of Subtribe Oncidiinae, or closely related genera)...

Perhaps this helps some?

-Pat

[Lil Bit]

Thank you, Pat, for your help.

Yes, it states on the site that "PID" stands for plant ID. Perhaps it is that growers personal ID, I don't know.

You wrote, "All of my specimens are prefixed with 'MAH'." Do all specimens contain that prefix? Is that something I should look for when buying named plants or does that vary?

And as I read your information, even if you know what the "grandparents" are of a plant, that plant is still considered a noid?

I think I need to find a good book, but thank you again for your help!

Rita

[cneos]

Go to this website for a listing of orchid genera and abbreviations from the Royal Horticultural Society. This list is generally accepted by orchid growers everywhere. Odm. is generally accepted abbreviation for odontoglossum; Onc for oncidium; phal for phalaenopsis etc.
As far as PID: OC81, perhaps you send an e-mail to the vendor to learn what OC81 means.
is the geehttp://www.orchids.mu/Glossary/Glossary_A.htm

[Lil Bit]

Thank you, cneos, for your help and explanations. I will do some reading on the site that you've mentioned. And you're correct that I should contact the vendor to decipher the "OC81". I hadn't thought of that at all.

Thank you!

Rita

[Mahon]

I think the 'OC81' is a personal code for the grower/vendor in order to keep track of location and what type of orchid it is, as they may have been grown from seed (and seedlings are sometimes hard to decipher from one another)... Can be related to the Orchid Zone numbering system (Z12345)...

As for my specimens, I label them in order to know all the information about them (collection data, location, elevation, date, and other significant notes)... not everyone numbers and categorizes their plants, and it is not mandatory to prefix with any letters.

With the information you provided me, there is no positive identification on that plant you mentioned. The parentage is a little screwy, as you cannot cross all 4 genera in one cross (which was demonstrated in the parentheses). I'll demonstrate:

(Odm. Maureen X Haematochilum X Noorah X Odm. Josephine)
This is incorrect form of demonstrating the parents. This basically reads as "four different plants as the parents in one generation". There can only be two parents per generation. There can be multiple epithets (names) in the cross, but they need to = 2 parents. Here would be the correct form of above (but is not the actual cross):

(Odm. Maureen X Haematochilum) X (Noorah X Odm. Josephine)
Note that there are two sets of parentheses, but contain other epithets. The parentheses indicate the parents of the cross. This is the correct form, as the results of one hybrid parent may not have been named (Odm. Maureen x Haematochilum). Assuming that (Odm. Maureen X Haematochilum) was actually named, like 'Fakenameianum Jaguar', then you replace that name with the parentage of it (Odm. Maureen X Haematochilum).

It would then be formed:
Fakenameianum Jaguar x (Noorah X ODM Josephine)

If this didn't make any sense, then I apologize. I've been sick today and may not be writing correctly...

-Pat

[Lil Bit]

Thank you, Pat, for your clear and very understandable explanation. I believe that I comprehend much better. Someday I hope to be able to speak "orchidnese" as well as you!

I hope that you're feeling much better and I apologize for not responding sooner. I have been gone for a week to celebrate my sister's birthday.

Rita