Vandachostylis Memoria Len Gann ‘Sanborn’

Vandachostylis is an * intergeneric hybrid comprised of the genus Vanda and Rhynchostylis. Intergeneric hybrid names are determined by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) when a grower registers a new hybrid combination.
The crossing of the two species Vanda bensonii x Rhynchostylis coelestis initially yielded an un-named hybrid whose genus name is Vandachostylis.

When an un-named hybrid is judged and awarded, in this case at our Great Plains Judging Center at Oklahoma City, the plant must be registered with a unique name or **grex . The protocol for naming hybrids states that the breeder of the cross determines its grex name. This process generally requires that the person receiving the award contact the breeder to inform of the award and inquire as to the name that the breeder prefers when the hybrid is registered with RHS. Occasionally, the breeder will honor the owner with the opportunity to determine the grex name.

In this case, the plant was purchased as a seedling from RF Orchids of Homestead Florida; owner Robert Fuchs. When the owner of the plant, Karlene Sanborn, contacted Mr. Fuchs, he generously allowed her to select the grex name. Memoria Len Gann was selected in memory of her recently deceased brother. The plant is now registered and bears the grex name Vandachostylis Memoria Len Gann.    

Lastly, the *** clonal name is determined when the plant receives an award and is registered with the American Orchid Society (AOS). The protocol for clonal naming states that the owner of the plant determines a unique name for the individual plant; in this case ‘Sanborn’. A single grex may have many individual plants with different clonal names. Combined, the above plant came to be named Vandachostylis Memoria Len Gann ‘Sanborn’  HCC/AOS, with an award of Highly Commended Certificate as registered with the AOS.

References:
RF Orchids, Inc. Available: http://www.rforchids.com

Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), The International Orchid Register.
Available: http://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/registration_orchids.asp

The American Orchid Society (AOS).
Available: http://www.orchidweb.org/aos/judging/page13.aspx

Mark Sanborn, KOS Vice Pres.

*The process of crossing two genera within the same breeding group, the combination results in a hybrid that is generally named with elements from each genus.