Orchid naming convention - Phaleanopsis

[H.L]

Hi everybody

I am interested to buy a Phal. schilleriana. On the website, it is listed as Phalaenopsis schilleriana 4N x self. What does the ""4N x self"" stands for?

[dangerouseddy]

4n means it has 4 chromosomes afaik i.e larger flowers and a more vigorous plant. self means its crossed with its self afaik.

[PaphMadMan]

That's right.

4N means it has double the number of chromosomes typical for the species. Most species are 2N in nature, meaning they have chromosomes in pairs. This often means it will have larger flowers of heavier texture, sometimes a more vigorous plant, but it is not necessarily a guarantee.

x self means the seed was produced by self- pollinating the parent plant. This can mean that the good qualities of the parent will be reinforced, but again it is not a guarantee. Sometimes this kind of inbreeding can lead to weak growing unhealthy plants if it happens over several generations, but this is less likely with 4N plants.

Both the selection of 4N plants for breeding and the practice of self-pollinating desirable plants to continue or enhance the positive characteristics of the parent are common practices. With Phalaenopsis schiilleriana in particular, this kind of selective breeding has produced vigorous plants with larger and more numerous flowers than is typical for the species, but again there is no guarantee.