Confirm Onc. Twinkle? Also, mystery Onc. - Orchid Board

Reeses · #1 09-07-2014, 10:10 PM

I bought these two beauties from Trader Joe's

The one I am almost positive is an Onc. Twinkle, but I'd just like some other opinions before I jump the gun on labeling it. It has a very faint scent, but I like it. Sort of vanilla-y, but to me it smells more spicy. It's double the size of the Twinkle "Pink Profusion" that I have.
Also, any chance of determining the cultivar?

Confirm Onc. Twinkle? Also, mystery Onc.-img_0042-jpg

Close-up of the blooms:

Confirm Onc. Twinkle? Also, mystery Onc.-img_0043-jpg

This second one I have no clue as to what it might be. It's an oncidium hybrid, but that's all I can deduce. The tag said it was from "Luna Rivers" Orchids, but I can't find them online. Sorry if the picture quality isn't great--it's in my mom's hospital room (she's recovering from surgery) an the lighting wasn't great.

Confirm Onc. Twinkle? Also, mystery Onc.-img_0035-jpg

Tried to show the size of it--I didn't realize how back-lit it was.

The blooms:

Confirm Onc. Twinkle? Also, mystery Onc.-img_0040-jpg

Thanks!

EDIT: I am so sorry, guys, I have tried re-uploading the photos and I just can't get them right-ways up

Hopefully you can sort of see?

NYCorchidman · #2 09-08-2014, 12:22 AM

The first one might also be oncidium Tsiku Marguerite, which looks awful a lot like oncidium Twinkle, but they are about double the size.

The flowers look always identical as those of Twinkle.
White with very faint pink hue to it.
The fragrance is about the same as well. probably weaker.

The second one, I have no clue.
Can you post a picture showing the front side??
That will help others help you figure out what this is.

Leafmite · #3 09-08-2014, 11:38 AM

Unless the orchid comes labeled, you really can never know for certain what it is unless it is one of those that are very distinct or if you can contact the vendor and they give you the name. So many look alike, especially to the untrained eye.
Try contacting the vendor and seeing if they can tell you what it is.

NYCorchidman · #4 09-08-2014, 07:15 PM

True, but at least she knows this is at least either this or that instead of one possibility out of who knows how many like many NOID phalaenopsis.

Reeses · #5 09-08-2014, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

The first one might also be oncidium Tsiku Marguerite, which looks awful a lot like oncidium Twinkle, but they are about double the size.

The flowers look always identical as those of Twinkle.
White with very faint pink hue to it.
The fragrance is about the same as well. probably weaker.

Thanks! I've never heard of Tsiku Marguerite before. I took another picture of this new one in between my tiny little Twinkle and a Sharry Baby. I'm not at home, but I'll post it later. It seems the defining characteristic is the size?

And yeah, I feel like the one I got for my mom will always be a mystery. Too many possibilities!

NYCorchidman · #6 09-08-2014, 07:59 PM

Yes, Twinles are much smaller plants than Tsiku Marguerite.
TM are also quite popular.

Regarding that second plant, there are not many possibilities.
Actually I have not seen anything that looks like it.
I just can't recall the name.

Oncidium intergenerics are quite distinctive with just a handful of them being very look-alike of others.

You just have to find a name. hahaha

Reeses · #7 09-08-2014, 10:52 PM

Okay, here I have a picture with my tiny little Twinkle, my new NOID, and a Sharry Baby for size comparison. Does this look like another Twinkle, or is it possibly a Tsuki Marguerite?

Confirm Onc. Twinkle? Also, mystery Onc.-img_0038-jpg

Here is a much better close-up of the Onc. I got for my mom. Any thoughts?

Confirm Onc. Twinkle? Also, mystery Onc.-img_0047-jpg

Leafmite · #8 09-09-2014, 12:14 AM

The Oncidium family is very large and many look almost identical. It is impossible to know what you have unless it is confirmed by the vendor. I think it is very unfair that orchids are sold without labels but, unfortunately, it happens far too often.
Unless you plan to have your orchids judged, the only drawback of not having a name is if the orchid dies and you would really like to replace it. I had a favorite noID Dendrobium that was fussy about its roots and that the kids knocked over one too many times. I wish I could replace it but I have no idea what it was.
If it is important to you to have names for your orchids, you will need to start buying them from places that label them. Otherwise, just enjoy their beauty and realize that when you really like an orchid, the name doesn't matter.

Reeses · #9 09-09-2014, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Otherwise, just enjoy their beauty and realize that when you really like an orchid, the name doesn't matter.

Thanks, Leafmite, that's so true! Ordinarily I wouldn't try to ID a NOID because of how difficult it is, but in this case I was 95% sure I knew what I had. I'm glad I asked though! Because now I'm not so sure

I have bought from vendors who label their plants, and I love knowing what exactly I have! That doesn't mean I love my poor orphan NOIDS any less!

Leafmite · #10 09-09-2014, 12:52 AM

We just had a talk at our Orchid Society by John Dunkelberger, an Oncidium hybridizer and a judge for at least thirty years. You would not believe how similar many of the Oncidiums look and, yet, they do not have the same parentage. He said the same when someone asked him if they could identify their unknown Oncidium.
There are a few orchids that are very unique and can be identified but with so many orchids coming from overseas where it is cheap and easy to hybridize and grow orchids, these are becoming fewer and fewer.