Orchid Names

[mblyle]

What does Blc at the beginning of the name of an orchid mean? Thx.

[Dorsetman]

Brassolaelocattleya. A hybrid between plants originally located in three different genera. Recent changes in generic names make the expression probably obsolete or archaic, but everyone growing orchids for some time will still be happy with Blc.

[mblyle]

Thanks for the info, Geoff. I have been looking at orchids online and lots of them had that as part of their names. Lordy, I have a daunting amount to learn. Mary

[Katherine]

Also just below Orchid Talk Lobby tab there is a directory that says "Orchid Genus Page" to find these initials, and what plant they is.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Also just below Orchid Talk Lobby tab there is a directory that says "Orchid Genus Page" to find these initials, and what plant they is.

Here is the link that Katherine mentioned: Orchid Genus Listing
cheers,
BD

[tucker85]

Like Geoff said, three different species have been used somewhere in the ancestry of your orchid. 'B' for Brassavola, 'L' for laelia and 'C' for Cattleya. Many of the laelias have been reclassified as cattleyas so the 'L' may not be needed. I'm not sure what has happened with the classification of brassavola. Like Geoff said, many orchid growers still use all three letters.