By definition, hybrid means the offspring of two animals or plants of different races, varieties, species, or genera.

The reproductive processes of the orchid are such that, with few exceptions, the genera do not intermingle readily, so the generic lines remain uniquely pure.

When it comes to hybrid orchid, it has been observed that in the few cases where, under natural conditions, members of the same orchid genus united the resulting hybrid was usually superior to either parent.

An example of this is Cattleya Dowiana crossed with Cattleya gigas resulting in Cattleya Hardyana, a fine round flower of gigas mauve enriched with the iridescence of the Dowiana (yellow with dark red lip).

The purposes of the grower in developing hybrid orchids have been to increase the stock, to increase the size and number of flowers, to change and improve the color of flowers, to improve the growth habits of the plant, and to throw strength into a weak line.

Constant experimentation in the production of hybrids has been going on for many years. Some genera have been found to be definitely incompatible, but many others are cross fertile and can be made to produce interesting, often remarkable, flowers.

The crosses between genera are referred to as bi-generic. The most famous bi-generic cross is important for purely historic and horticultural reasons, having no commercial value.

This cross was Epiphronitis Veitchii (Epidettdrum radicans, scarlet species of Mexico) with Sophronitis grandiEora (bright orange species of Brazil), recorded by Veiteh and judged by the Royal Horticultural Society to be the outstanding hybrid of 1890, receiving the First Class Certificate (F.C.C.).

Crosses of three genera are tri-generic. The most popular and famous is the hybrid orchid of much commercial value, the Brassolaelio-cattleya, combining the crisp texture of the narrow-petaled Laelia with the more rounded Cattleya and adding the only outstanding feature of Brassavola, a very full, showy lip.

Even four-generic crosses have gone into some hybrid orchids. The combination of names in such cases is so unwieldy that coined names are used: e.g. Potinara referring to the hybrid of Brassavola, Laelia, Cattleya, and the brilliantly colored Sophronitis.

As has been noted, certain genera will not cross with others. The failure of a plant to produce fertile seed when crossed with another plant may be the result of a difference in chromosome number, although there are many other possible causes.

Many inquiries are under way in this highly technical field of research, but published information is very limited. The failure of a genus to cross with another does not, however, entirely rule out hybridization.

Cymbidiums do not combine with other genera, but crosses within the genus have come in for their share of glory, the progeny being much improved in form, shape, texture, and clearness of color. Hybrid orchids between species of the same genera, such as the Cymbidium crosses, are called interspecific hybrids as distinct from the intergeneric variety.

Calanthe Dominyi, the first orchid hybrid produced under greenhouse conditions, a union of C. Masuca and C. furcata, was developed in 1853 by a grower for Veiteh and Sons at the suggestion of John Harris, an Exeter surgeon.

The production of hybrids has, since that time, attained such proportions as to make listing and classification a task of the first magnitude.

The securing of yellow color is another problem that has been tackled through hybridization. Yellow is desirable in an orchid flower but difficult to obtain. The pollen of yellow-flowering or-chids is frequently infertile, and even many of the yellow hybrid orchids seem lacking in some vital element, producing crippled growths.

Yellow color derives chiefly from Cattleya Dowiana aurea, which is of clear golden tone, with a rich velvety maroon or crimson lip and splashy gold stripes in the throat. Also used are Cattleya bicolor, a greenish-bronze species of Brazil, and Laelia tenebrosa, with purplish-brown sepals and petals and a purple lip.

The latter in some instances gives a bronzy sheen or coppery overlay to a dominantly purple flower, he. luminosa aurea (Cattleya Dowiana aurea x Laelia tenebrosa), by Charlesworth in 1901, has been frequently used in hybridizing with a pleasing iridescent result.

Perhaps the greatest triumph of the hybridizers has been the Brassolaeliocattleya. The Cattleya had been found to cross most readily with Brassavola Digbyana, insignificant except for an extra-large frilled lip, to produce well-shaped flowers with a full, fringed lip.

The Brassocattleya, in spite of size and beauty of lip and color, frequently has the disadvantage of 'starry,' narrow sepals and petals as well as poor texture, so that it does not keep well. It also rarely blooms with more than one flower, although there are outstanding exceptions, such as Be. Mme Charles Maron (B. Digbyana x C. gigas).

By adding Laelia to the Brassocattleya perfection was reached. The Laelia stands firmly erect, and its influence was to strengthen the weak dorsal of the simpler cross. The size of the resulting Brassolaeliocattleya is enormous and the color range wide.

Many of the modern Brassolaeliocattleyas are so full and round that the hand can be hidden by a single flower.

The grower will be enabled to work toward those qualities he most values by keeping careful records of his hybrid orchids. In compiling such a record the following suggestions may prove of value.

1. On first receiving a choice hybrid, record the name, parentage, grower, and, if possible, the hybridizer and the date of orchid hybridizing.

2. From personal observation record the date of blooming, quality, color, texture, and number of flowers.

3. By comparing notes with other growers, note possible variation in color and blooming time.

An exciting phase of orchid study is the tracing of the family tree of any given hybrid. Occasionally the direct antecedents of a hybrid cannot be determined, but usually the original species' parents can be ascertained and will provide a useful key to the future of the hybrid, its appearance, habits, and successful culture.

There are several types of family tree. These examples should give the reader an idea of how a family tree might be prepared in any particular instance.

Among the hybrids showing great promise of improvement over the parents are the Odontonias. Odontoglossum crispum and its hybrids are spray flowers of outstanding texture, color, and beauty, but for some growers they present a problem in blooming.

Similarly, Miltonia is a plant of fragile characteristics and difficult for some growers to treat successfully.

Miltonia blooms, with the distinctive butterfly mask around the lip and throat of the pansy face, are of delicate beauty and unsurpassed color.

The Odontonias resulting from the union of these two species retain the beauty of both and in some way have their life and growth habits strengthened so as to grow successfully in the Cattleya house.

The Odontonias bloom from April to May. Many of the hybrid orchids are sterile and, owing to the delicacy of the parent plants, seed is difficult to grow, so the plants are rare. Among the outstanding Odontonias, with parent plants and growers listed, are:

Odontonia Avril Gay (M. Duchess of York x O. Serapis). Rosy-mauve to crimson-purple on white ground. Charlesworth.

O. Arima (M. Nesta x O. Purple Queen). Sepals and petals chocolate-red; lip red and white with golden disc. Charlesworth.

O. Alexandra (M. Merope x O. Crethus). Sepals and petals purple; lip white spotted with red. Charlesworth.

O. Cardinalis (M. Lyceana x O. Purple Queen). Petals cardinal red tipped with white; lip white with red spots. Charlesworth.

O. Tyana (Odtna. Nesta x O. St. James). Petals mahogany-red, tipped and spotted white; white-dusted lip. Black and Flory.

O. Olga (Odontonia Thisbe x O. crispum). White with chestnut-red lip. Charlesworth.

For more information on hybrdi orchids, try these articles:

hybrid orchid phalaenopsis

breed orchid

orchid cross pollinating