How to distinguish our hybrids from the parent species

I’m often asked about our Lady x Monkey orchid hybrids and visitors frequently seem confused about how to distinguish them from their parents. So here is a quick summary and discussion about them to give you some tips.
Here is a summary of the features that the hybrid takes from each parent. The hybrid feature is in bold.
Feature | Monkey | Lady |
Leaf colour | grey green | yellow green |
Leaf shape | keeled and smooth | broad & ribbed |
Plant stature | Short and thin | tall and vigorous |
Flower colour | pink | red |
Flower hood | pale and relatively unmarked | coloured with dense spotting |
Flower shape | with legs | with a “skirt” |
Flowering time | Last week in April* | First week in May |
- in reality the hybrids are usually a few days after the Lady orchids
Here is a selection of hybrids:
This hybrid has an uncanny similarity to the Monkey Orchid.
Here are the parent species: