Naming convention when hybridizing

[Paphluvr]

When making a cross is it the pod parent that is listed first and then the pollen parent? I want to do a back cross as well and want to make sure I label them correctly.

Thanks

[cbuchman]

I admit that I am not the expert here, so please correct me, and I will learn too.

I believe that the pod parent is first; I.e., A x B and A is the pod parent. However, a grex name for A x B is the same as B x A. If I remember correctly this is due to historical ignorance of the influence of the pod parent. Many databases now have some indication of the pod/pollen parentage.

[Fairorchids]

Carrie,

You are correct. On labels (and in other documentation) the pod parent is always shown first.

In many other plant groups, such as Day Lilies, individual plants are granted a grex name, so there the same seed pod can produce 10-25 names (though 99% are not worthy of that level of recognition).

Going back to Orchids, due to the same grex name being used for all plants of AxB and BxA (incl repeat crosses made with alba, acquinea and other variations), further distinctions are made via:
1. Varieties (for species)
2. Clonal names, which identify a specific & unique plant. This can be done for both species and hybrids.

Clonal names remain unofficial, unless the plant is granted an AOS quality award. Only in that case does it become registered by any authority.

[No-Pro-mwa]

On a whole, which one gives the greatest influence? I know it can depend but what I'm trying to ask, is there a larger influence generally in the pod parent verses the pollen parent?

[My Green Pets]

Good questions! I'm wondering the same.

[Ray]

That's easy to remember: "ladies come first".

It is said that mitochondrial DNA - coming from the mother plant - has more influence of color and form than does that of the pollinia. Beyond that, I haven't a clue - just regurgitating what I've heard.

[cbuchman]

I'm with Ray, I'd learned that the pod parent has a greater influence on the offspring, though I am sure that there is an exception to this rule somewhere.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Thank you both. Now if I can just remember that the pod parent is always listed first I'll be doing good.

[PaphMadMan]

Pod parent influence probably shows up more in temperature and light preferences and general vigor than in appearance. Mitochondria are involved primarily in energy processing, and as noted by Ray they do come only from the pod parent. Possibly more important than mitochondria though, chloroplasts (and related leucoplasts, chromoplasts, etc.) also come only from the pod parent. They all have DNA that is independent of the cell nucleus, and that represents a genetic boost that comes only from the pod parent. Together, the mitochondria and the various ---plasts affect energy processing, photosynthesis, storage of starch, oils and proteins, and more. Like the plant they come from, they are adapted to function in a particular environment, including temperature range and light intensity. They obviously have a major influence on the physiology of the plant, but not necessarily the appearance.

However, chloroplasts and chromoplasts do affect what pigments the plant produces, and when, and where. That is an obvious contribution to appearance that comes only from the pod parent. Contribution though, not control.

[Fairorchids]

While pod parents tends to dominate, in some cases there are traits where the pollen parent can dominate. One such example, is in Paphiopedilum villosum, which always dominates the shape (but not necessarily the color).