What makes a valuable hybrid?

[Val]

Trying to identify some of my NOID Phals, I've been searching and surfing a lot on orchid related websites. I've noticed that some hybrids are famous and used in more hybridisations.

So now I'm wondering: what makes a valuable hybrid? What do growers aim at when trying a new hybrid - in terms of aestethics? Do they aim at some kind of colour schemes, like lip colour matching or complementing the petals'? Or maybe thick/glossy petals/sepals? Or certain textures?

For me, it's simple: it's a great hybrid if I like it and it likes the conditions in my home. But what are growers' criteria?

[Claire25]

I would imagine that, for many, the economic laws of supply and demand dictate what characteristics ought to be selected for in hybridisation...which is why such a limited selection of types are usually available at many mass market-type stores. But, there are also those "mad-scientist" types of hybridisers out there who really have fun messing with plant genetics, or coming up with unusual varieties outside of the norm. That's the area of hybridising that's so interesting to me...it seems to be as much an art as a science, not to mention that nature herself has come up with some pretty cool combinations among the Orchidaceae!

[PaphMadMan]

There are many different things that might make a hybrid valuable, and any of these reasons might be the goal a breeder is going for or a reason specific parents are used: award quality as defined by any of the organizations that give awards, new colors or patterns or forms, whatever is fashionable or trendy at the moment, speed of growth and ease of flowering for potted plant sales, hybrids of popular or 'new' species, good fertility and reliable quality of seedlings produced, and many more.

[trdyl]

PaphMadMan deffinately hit the high points.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by trdyl

PaphMadMan definately hit the high points.

I'd agree with Ted.

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

whatever is fashionable or trendy at the moment

Personally I think this is one of the biggest ones. And as fashions changes so too does the direction of hybridization. Take the 'bulldog' paphs for example. While not a paph nut myself, I have noticed that one rarely sees the bulldogs at shows and few offerings from vendors. They simply aren't in fashion -- which I do find a pity. But hybridizers are generally trying to make money (I know, silly them) and it makes financial sense to focus on what's popular.