Cattleya Alliance Nomenclature

Hi group, I hope this is not a stupid question or a matter of the obvious. What constitutes a primary hybrid? I have many species of the Cattleya alliance and crosses with species but I am confused

As an example, I have:
Cattleya Labiata v rubra Schiller x C Labiata. Primary Hybrid or still a species?
BC Maikai Lea x C Skinneri "Carpinteria". This is a hybrid crossed to a species. Does it make it a regular hybrid or a Primary hybrid?
LC Gold Digger. This is an oldie but not sure how it is classified. Laelia x Cattleya? Is it a first, second or third generation cross?
C Astraea "Ginny". I'm not sure if this is a species. It says "Cattleya" but is it a pure cattleya or cattleya crossed to another species? Is it 2 species crossed with each other?

I love the floriferousness of the multiflorals although they are not as large as the classic modern hybrids. I asked this because they are in bloom now and I'm interested on how to classify them

Hi! Those are some lovely catts you have! and no, those are not stupid questions, as there are no such thing...
A primary hybrid is when a species and a species are crossed to make a primary hybrid.
A Hybrid is when a hybrid or primary hybrid is crossed with a specie, hybrid, or a primary hybrid.
Also, if the orchid is a species, then the name would be lower cased, (example: C. skinneri) the name is lower-cased, if the plant is a hybrid of any kind, (hybrid primary hybrid etc.) it is capitalized. Example: Lc. Gold Digger)
In this case, all the catts you have a hybrids, you have some were it is a hybrid x a Species, but the hybrid x species is still a hybrid. (because it's just adding a parent). I hope this helps and lovely cattleyas you have!
Alex

THANK YOU!! I think I am going to have to take some time think about this Alex

If 2 Skinneri are crossed is it still a species?

yes you're right! I think you got the hang of it.
Happy growing!
Alex

Oh, and forgot to tell you something, no to be a picky namer, but skinneri is LOWER CASE!
The first catt you have is a species! sorry didn't look close enough.
Alex

GOT IT!! I'm good at growing them but trying to get back to basics

C. skinneri is now Guarianthe skinneri but my tags still read Cattleya. I'm not changing them. It can be very confusing.
Your plants are lovely and well grown

Thanks for the compliment on the plants Cathy I had to report the skinneri hybrid but I'm trying to make it a specimen so I didn't divide the plant .

I believe bowringiana has also been reclassified its confusing

Originally Posted by orchids^_^

In this case, all the catts you have a hybrids, you have some were it is a hybrid x a Species, but the hybrid x species is still a hybrid. (because it's just adding a parent). Alex

Have to disagree with you, Alex. Glenn's first catt listed would still be a species. Cattleya labiata (note the "l" in "labiata" should be written in lower case) is a species. Cattleya labiata v rubra Schiller is just a varietal name for a particular individual/type of that same species. Therefore Cattleya labiata v rubra Schiller x C. labiata is simply a cross of two individuals of the same species. This, then, is still a species not a hybrid.

The others are all hybrids with Cattleya Astraea 'Ginny' being the only primary hybrid (Cattleya skinneri x Cattleya loddigesii) of those mentioned.

No matter what you call them, those are some beautiful and well grown orchids. Good job.