'Named' orchids not on RHS orchid register
 

I have a couple of Phals that came with names, but the names are not listed on the RHS orchid register. Is there any way of finding out parentage etc, or is it that they have just been given names to make them more commercially attractive and their 'real' names could actually be something quite different?

I have Phal 'Nemo', Phal 'Little Lady Kyo' and Phal 'Kate'. Yes, I admit to turning into a complete orchid nerd - I know their history doesn't make them any more/less beautiful, but I love finding out.

If the tag indicates they were produced (raised from seed or clone) by a specific nursery, you may be able to find out by contacting that company.

They just have those generic orchid labels with the name on and 'orchideen'. But thanks for the suggestion, I will bear it in mind for future 'nameless' names!

Sometimes the retail store will tell you where they bought them. You may be able to follow the supply chain back to the grower, and ask them.

I think what you're seeing is the unfortunately common practice of mass-retail commercialism, in which the actual cross, named or not, is dropped, and only the cultivar epithet is applied.

Such as Phalaenopsis Blahblahblah 'Nemo' going on the market only as Phalaenopsis. 'Nemo'.

A 'Name' in single quotes would be a cultivar not a registered cross, and there is no way to look that up. Anyone can apply such a name at any time to a clone of any registered, unregistered, or even unknown cross. In mass market orchids it may be misused as a particular producer's description for plants of the same general type even if they aren't the same clone or even the same cross. Mass market NoIDS are just NoIDS except perhaps in those rarest of cases where a producer or wholesaler can and will give you an accurate name based on a production code or other unique identification.

Thank you all for your help. I guess I will just have to just enjoy them as they are - 'a rose by any other name' etc! At least them having names makes it easier to record details about them - e.g. 'Kate' repotted March 2017 is a lot easier to remember than 'Phalaenopsis number 5'!

For the short term, where you still have few enough to remember details, perhaps. However, as the collection grows (and it will...), consider a number (whether it has a name or not) that you write on the tag. If each plant has a unique ID (divisions also get new, unique IDs since they are "individuals") you can start a database (a document with a table, or a spreadsheet even better) with info on each one - where you got it, how much you paid, when you last repotted, when it bloomed, etc. Once you start doing that, you'll see how important it is to have a way to relate each orchid in each pot to all the information about it.

It's a lot easier to think about, and start, a system when your collection is small, than to try to go back and create one when there are dozens or a lot more and you realize that it is totally out of hand.

I think you might just have provided me with a cure for my orchid buying habit. I read the word 'database' :shock: and suddenly lost all enthusiasm for increasing my orchid collection. :biggrin: Technology and I do not get on!

Even a cardfile is a database. No technology needed except a pencil.