When you buy a cross how do you know which is pollen or moma plant by the way it is listed? Plant form follows which parent most closely? And which parent gives flower characteristics preference? The reverse cross above got me thinking.

Roberta, in a cross the Mother is always listed first.
I myself don't have the knowledge to predict traits, but I would think that experienced Orchid hybridizers have a pretty good idea what to expect in a cross.
Anyone likes to chime in?

Seed parent listed first, pollen parent listed second. Typically the pollen parent is assumed to be dominant, but that is not always the case.

It all depends on the DNA I guess.

Love them all, in any case. Only picture-worthy flower in my cage today was my regular Why Not. A much flatter profile and smaller lip than the reverse. This one is also a lot darker red than it was when it bloomed last fall. Back lighting doesn't show the color as deep as it really is.

What exactly does "reverse-cross" mean?

Ken, in the case of the Cattleytonia/now Guaritonia Why Not as it was registered with the RHS, it is listed as Cattleya/ now Guarianthe aurantiaca (Mom or seed parent ) x Broughtonia sanguinea (Dad or Pollen parent).

If you were to reverse that cross, you would now be looking at Broughtonia sanguinea x Guarianthe aurantiaca, saying that the hybridizers used this time the pollen from the aurantiaca.
The Grex name stays the same.

had to edit because I turned myself around....

Ursula

Sometimes hybridizers do this to see which flower blooms the best both for commercial and award reasons.

So the form is much better on Elaine's (flower strong and upright with flat petals and good color). Mine has intense color but floppy blooms and cupped petals.

So I have one good thing and she has three. Better potential award and sales.

That makes good sense, Melissa. Thanks. I don't have either plant, so it is not an issue with me. I just wondered what the term meant.

While on the subject of "terms", when someone advertises a "Primary Hybrid", what does that mean?

Sorry for the questions.

A primary hybrid is a cross between two
species.

OK, so I guess that would probably be a pretty old cross, huh? I have seen hybridizers say something like: "We have crossed plants that were originally crossed in 1960". That may not be the exact wording but is similar. Are crossed species somehow more rare/more costly, or does it matter at all?

I got to meet Bert this am! So that makes two members of ATP that I have met in person! We have a great group of people here!

drdawg said:OK, so I guess that would probably be a pretty old cross, huh? I have seen hybridizers say something like: "We have crossed plants that were originally crossed in 1960". That may not be the exact wording but is similar. Are crossed species somehow more rare/more costly, or does it matter at all?

Correct in most aspects. Many hybridizers re-cross with better (improved and possibly awarded) parents to improve the hybrid.

Some primary hybrids are one of a kind and very desirable! Plus you really get a sense of what parent becomes dominant by looking at the primaries.

The Lc Rojo I posted here was the original cross, registered in 1965, C aurantiaca x L milleri.
A few years ago this cross was repeated, but looking at them in bloom at the vendors table, the blooms were not quite as red as in the original cross.

I just got in some Renanetia Sunrise (imschootiana x falcate) and they are all in bloom or in bud. My hybridizer says it is a primary hybrid. It was the most expensive of the lot. I just wondered why and now I guess I know.

I have nunnies open today, and what a treat to come upon them as a surprise!
Phaius Microburst 'Dan Mendenhall' and Phaius tankervillea 'Oktoberfest'

Elaine, how nice! I love them!

Ken, there is no rhyme or reason why your Renanetia Sunrise cost you some, just because it is a primary hybrid. The prices for Orchids are all over the place, depending on rarity, difficulty of growing for some, or the "price of Orange Juice" that day according to whatever vendor.

OK, so I don't know why. Commercial growers don't exactly explain why, they just set a cost and that's it. I have never ordered this plant, and have no early idea whether it is a good one, good enough to command a little bit higher price.

Ken, 'sunrise is highly desired and in-fashion at the moment. The dealers know this and supply and demand will dictate current price, in a few years when everyone has had one then your price should fall. Just don't stock up too much because I don't believe most of your customers are coming to you for the newest novelty, they are probably new orchid growers and are unaware of the trends.