Hybrids are generally plants from parents that have dissimilar genetic backgrounds. In the orchid world, "hybrids", in many cases refers to any orchid grown from seed. Since the advent of cloning, orchids seem to be categorized as mericlones or hybrids.

It becomes confusing when small orchid clones are refered to as "seedlings", since technically, seedlings are plants grown from seed.

In the orchid world, it seems that any orchid, whether seed-propagated or tissue cultured, is referred to as a "seedling" if it is at that particular size. So the distinction between seed-propagated orchids and mericlones is made by either using the term, hybrid or clone. Although inaccurate, it suffices.

Generally with hybrids, both parents are listed. So if the "hybrid" is listed as "Grammatophylum scriptum x Grammatophylum scriptum" it means that it is two different Grammatophyllum orchids crossed to one another. The genes are not significantly dissimilar, but grouping it as a "hybrid" establishes that it is propagated from seed. Technically it's not a hybrid, but again it suffices.

Seed-propagated orchids, or "hybrids", have a natural survival mechanism that excludes any viruses that the parents may have had. Since it is virtually impossible to erradicate viruses from an orchid collection, hybrids offer nature's way of eliminating the transmission of viruses from parents to future generations.

Over the years it seems that the majority mericlones I've purchased have had some kind of virus. Saavy orchid growers may index orchids for as many as 20 plus different viruses before and after cloning. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be the industry standard. The difficult aspect of cloning a virused orchid is that it is transmitted to each and every clone produced. Also due to the nature of cloning, viruses can mutate and develop into new forms. In most cases viruses for the average orchidists cannot be detected until many years later when the orchid is in flower. At that time, deformities, streaking and crippling of blossoms make it apparent.

Nature's solution to survival in orchids has been to provide a mechanism that prevents viruses from entering the seeds. Maybe someday we will discover exactly how that is achieved and develop practical methods for eliminating viruses. For now, we feel that "hybrid", orchids propagated from seed, offer the best solution.

Beyond the issue of viruses, raising hybrids has provided the wonderous surprises that make growing orchids a continual joy. Yes, the process of growing orchids is rewarding, but seeing a new orchid blooming for the first time is probably our greatest joy of raising orchids.

When purchasing hybrids, there are several factors you may wish to consider. Some hybrids are extremely uniform and one can pretty much expect to see the same blossoms on each orchid that blooms. These are usually simple crosses, like two species, or parents of similar backgrounds. A great divergence of blossoms can occur with many hybrids especially when the parentage is complex on both sides.

Generally, the rule is that if you want uniform hybrids you cross two parents who have fairly homogenous genes. The two parents may be different, but when they pair, the outcome is fairly uniform. Since genetics involves probability and relativity, there are many exceptions to what might seem a simple rule.

So when purchasing hybrids, you may want to keep in mind that the orchid blossoms will vary from one orchid to the next, particularly with complex hybrids.

Certain seed generated cultivars, particularly from the University of Hawaii, are uniform to the point of being indistinguishable from one another. Most are bred for cut flower production, which means that uniformity is a necessity. Brilliant, with foresight, Dr. Kamemoto knew the importance of raising orchids from seed to avoid the problems of viral transmission in mericlones.

Since many of you are interested in raising orchids as a blooming plant in a pot, without the need to maintain exact uniformity, we offer many hybrids. What can you expect? Lots and lots of different blossoms, even from the same cross.

We hope you will share in the joy of raising hybrids and even post photos of your particular orchid in bloom. If it's a hybrid then it is one of a kind.

Darrell Sugita
Breeder, Grower