what is this NOID?

[SShide77]

Hi,

I got this at Trader Joes and it had no identification with it. Is it part of the oncidium alliance? Does anyone know anything more specific as to what it might be?

Thanks!
Sarah

[Orchidementia]

As a frequent TJ's orchid buyer*, I might be able to ID with a photo of the whole plant (leaves, psuedobulbs if present, etc). It probably is an Onc alliance; could be one of the ones ID'd as Miltonias by the grower.


*I buy from them, not for them

[OnicheK]

Hey, SShide!

I'd say it looks like an oncidium maculatum, or a hybrid parent of...

I think they (non specialized sellers) send all the oncidium and odontoglossum hybrids into the "Cambria" definition, whether they are inter-generis or inter-species. I found that "Vuylstekeara", "Colmanara", "Wilsonara" and "Beallara" are to be found for sale as Cambria Orchid.

Well, I'm sure people here can help you in a better manner, maybe some of them alredy have Orchid Wiz too (sorry, I don't ).

I just wanted to give an opinion

Best regards and good luck with the new house guest!

Oana.

[kmarch]

Unfortunately it won't be possibly to ID your plant more specifically than to say it's a member of the Oncidium Alliance. Orchid hybrids (especially complex hybrids) exhibit a great deal of variation within a cross and there are many crosses that look very similar.

[Orchidementia]

Originally Posted by kmarch

Unfortunately it won't be possibly to ID your plant more specifically than to say it's a member of the Oncidium Alliance. Orchid hybrids (especially complex hybrids) exhibit a great deal of variation within a cross and there are many crosses that look very similar.

I might be able to with a better picture only because I live next door to a Trader Joe's and they might have one with the tag in it. That's my super-secret orchid ID skill - reading tags!

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by OnicheK

I think they (non specialized sellers) send all the oncidium and odontoglossum hybrids into the "Cambria" definition, whether they are inter-generis or inter-species. I found that "Vuylstekeara", "Colmanara", "Wilsonara" and "Beallara" are to be found for sale as Cambria Orchid.

The term "Cambria," a term used in some countries (I see it mostly used in the UK), is a generic horticultural term used to refer to plants in the Oncidium Alliance. I strongly discourage the use of the word "Cambria" simply because it is misleading and confuses people. It's not a real orchid name. It's not even a "common name" like "Moth Orchid." There's no "Cambria Section", no "Cambria Alliance, " nothing like that.

It's a mystery to me why the proper term, "Oncicumn Alliance," or "Oncidium hybrid" can't be used. I can't understand why a useless term like "Cambria" persists.

[OnicheK]

I know, Kmarch, and I'm not happy with this either. I bought some of my first plants in "normal" plant shops (not nurseries) and these are the places where you can find pots tagged "Miltonia", "Phalaenopsis", "Cambria" or... "Orchid mix" (which only contains one type of plant, whatever the species or genera).

Most of the plants you can find here (Italy) and in this type of shops come from the Netherlands. They are beautiful plants, well developed, the roots are strong and well kept, but most (if not all) of them are hybrids and all of them are anonymous, since they don't have proper tags.

I didn't suggest to put this under "Cambria", I personally think it looks quite similar to a particular orchid, but I think it's easier to find a picture of it on the web searching for Cambria.

Sorry once more, I probably wasn't very clear in expressing my opinion.

Best regards and a great SUnday to all of you,

O.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by OnicheK

Sorry once more, I probably wasn't very clear in expressing my opinion.

I think you were clear enough I just wanted to clarify the potentially misleading and confusing issue surrounding the unfortunate term "Cambria."

Originally Posted by OnicheK

I think it's easier to find a picture of it on the web searching for Cambria.

Perhaps, but we shouldn't be using web photos to ID orchids anyway. Photos are simply not sufficient enough to positively ID and orchid. As I mention from time to time hybrid orchids exhibit a great deal of variety within one cross and different crosses can look quite similar.

[OnicheK]

I know they change stains patterns and all (even the species, sometimes).

Anyways, how about Orchid Wiz? Do you have it? Any of you tried it? I'm thinking about buying it, but unfortunately they won't give you a free trial, so I need your opinion.

Kmarch, do you consider it as a trusty source?

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by OnicheK

...how about Orchid Wiz? ...Kmarch, do you consider it as a trusty source?

I have not used OrchidWiz so I can't speak first hand. I have heard much praise for it here on the forum but I can also say that mistakes have been found in it as revealed through a couple of discussions here on the forum. I notice on their webpage they cite Jay Pfahl's online encyclopedia as an information source, which concerns me because it is not refereed and effectively accepts as accurate any info submitted. I'd like to give Orchid Wiz a go myself before saying much more.

[Evangeline Bourne]

Its pretty whatever it is

[jerrymeola]

Onicheck

I have used OrchidWiz and while it is a fun toy it is designed for hybridizers to track parentage and thereby predict future possibilities.

It will not help you grow orchids and certainly not useful for IDs.

Pictures are totally useless for IDs unless you have a good idea of the source and thereby can rule out mot possibilities.

I have orchids that have as many as 8 different color flowers, many change color with the season in which they bloom and I recently had one with two different color flowers on the same inflorescence (flower stem).

[OnicheK]

Thank you, Jerry! Thanks to you I saved some money which can turn out really useful -- for buying more orchids!!! )

Really, I know nothing about nothing, but I love to learn tons of new things and interact with you, Orchid PhDs . And no, that's not a joke! You know so many things, you've tried so much stuff...

As a French would say, CHAPEAU!

Thank you all for letting me in!