Popular phal from big box stores

[HollyMStewart]

Okay, I had a tag for this plant. And now I don't.

This is a pretty common color phal from big box stores, so I am hoping someone has it.

The pot it was in had "fire arrow" printed on the clear plastic, but I am not sure if that is the plant name. I can't remember.

Anyone seen it before?

[dounoharm]

dozens of times i have seen that flower, and dozens of names....if you cant recall the name or find the tag it is officially a no id orchid....it is still the same beautiful flower tho and a joy in your collection!

[HollyMStewart]

Oh I know, its not a big deal to me. Just like to have ballparks as to what cross it might be and a possible name. :-) I know if I saw the name I'd remember.

[BruceP]

There is such a thing as Phal. Fire Arrow. It's a good match.

[HollyMStewart]

Well that is what is written on the pot.. but I can't find it in the RHS.

[BruceP]

Possibly just a trade name then.

[camille1585]

Many of the big box orchids that do have names actually have trade names on them. It makes things all the more confusing if the plant also has an RHS name.
For instance, I bought an orchid sold under the trade name Phal Philadelphia. But it's real, official name is Phal Wiganiae, aka schilleriana x stuartiana.

[HollyMStewart]

So how do i find out if there is a registered name from a trade name?

[camille1585]

Most of the trade name plants don't even have a registered name since they were likely developed by the breeding companies. And if they do have a registered name, it's likely extremely difficult to find out as those same breeding companies seem to severely dislike giving out any information on the parentage of an orchid.

I got lucky because a) it's a very unique looking orchid and I found the correct ID through orchid forums, and b) the commercial grower that mine came from is a very decent, down to earth fellow that happily gives details on his products.

[Rowangreen]

From my (limited) experience, 'Fire Arrow' may be a clone name and as such won't be on the RHS

I have a plant I managed to find the proper name for having bought it under a trade name: Brassia Toscanna (or in fact mine was labelled Toscanne...) From searching that name I found a site that gave it's parentage (Brassia Rex x Milt schroederianum), but still no luck on the RHS. Then a while later I was looking up the parents and found that schroederianum has been reclassified as an Oncidium. Which allowed me to find it's RHS name: Brassidium Spider Star *G*, Toscanna being the clone name.

I have since found this site that confirms it, giving both the RHS and tradename ('handlesname' in German apparently): Roellke Orchideen

Only remaining flies in the ointment are that I can't find a site that has it as being scented (mine is, though not all the time so maybe the sellers just haven't sniffed it at the right time!) and the shop I bought it from is now selling others under the same name.... I think they just didn't realise the new plants were slightly different!

It seems to be rare over here for orchids to be labelled at all in garden centres etc. Most orchids don't get more than 'phaleanopsis' or 'cambria'. I have several of the latter I think I have an ID for, though of course it can never be for sure. I haven't even tried with the phals! I guess you could do some searches for phal fire arrow (image searches might speed up you finding relavant sites), and hope to get some clues like I did on mine.