Orchid identification

[Onefinemorning]

Dear fellow growers,

I notice that many of you refer effortlessly to species/variety/grex/cultivar names when you write. None of my orchids, all purchased where I buy food, have come with more than a genus name (if that). How does one learn more? It would be fun to search for specifics on cultivation which I could do if I knew the names. I've been giving them fanciful names myself in my cultivation log so I know whom I'm talking about, but I would like to develop the botanical side of my hobby as well. The only camera I own is in my laptop (I'm not very technically minded) and I don't know whether I could pull off using it to send photos to be identified. An exhaustive encyclopedia-type ID book would probably be beyond my budget --- What's a neophyte to do? What do you experienced folks do when you don't know what you have?

Thanks for sharing suggestions!

~~~ One Fine Morning

[catttan]

For me it has been a slow and long process and I'm still learning after more than 50 years. Now with the changes in taxonomy I'm afraid it'll take another 50 years just to catch up with the changes. I wish I had Orchidwiz but it's not compatible with my Mac. If you are really serious you can't go wrong with Orchidwiz. Or course there are the books, the encyclopedia, orchid publications and the good old local orchid club and societies ..... and this forum.

[Xara]

I started buying named orchids (even though I keep loosing the nametags) when I got bit by the orchid bug. Once you start, it seems the addiction is there and the collection and wishlist just grow and grow. But I still enjoy my unnamed orchids from the foodmarkets, they are of course just as beautiful! I have a number of encyclopedias on orchids, but I usually just read them for the joy of looking at the pictures and finding new kinds I would like to try... (not good for wallet or space at home, though, remember I warned you) :-).

[Carolla]

I've posted a few here and even gotten names for some of them! Otherwise, I just do the best I can as to guessing what genus they are and labeling them "NOID". I have quite a few grocery store NOID Phals, which have been easy and fun for me. I enjoy when I can get one with a label though and do see those in the stores at times. The more I hang out here, the more beautiful named orchids I see, the more my wish list gets specific... and expensive! lol I'm not sure I can afford this forum, as my husband said things like, "I like orchids!" and "I'd rather you spent money on orchids than other things, like shoes that don't fit!" Not so sure about that second one! hehe

[catasetum-ian]

well, i started posting here using a phone camera and started off with one orchid which i had no idea what cultivation requirement is needed and off course killing it within two weeks. from there it intrigues me to learn more on this genus and basically i do a lot of internet reading, i do not have an orchid encyclopedia back then but with helps of friends from forums and internet reading, i would i learned a lot from it. from basic cultivation, to hybridizing, flasking and etc
because of the vast diversity of genus in orchids, i would recon that you would initially try to identify which genus that you eventually develop deep interesting in before jumping into buying an orchid encyclopedia. that would probably save you a lot and also most likely you will end up buying one that is more specific to your needs.
good luck

[bench72]

the Orchid hobby is brilliant this way... you start off liking a flower, then you start enjoying growing them, and then the 'scientific' side kicks in... it all takes time.. and you've done a major leap in getting to know more about Orchids and their names by joining this Forum. Reading the posts by other members will lead to increased knowledge and if you have any questions, ask... I've found the folks here are totally lovely and helpful.

cheers
tim