Cymbidium atropurpureum vs finlaysonianum

[smweaver]

Does anyone grow either (or both) of these species? I'm trying to find out whether they are, in fact, two different species, or not. The reason for my confusion is that the Baker's culture sheet for finlaysonianum lists it as a synonym for atropurpureum (the accepted name). Their culture sheet for Cymbidium atropurpureum, likewise, lists finlaysonianum as a synonym.

I do have both of these species, although neither has flowered for me yet. The finlaysonianum is much larger than the atropurpureum plant, although this might have more to do with differences in maturity of the two plants. But the leaves are also different, with finlaysonianum's being much longer than those of atropurpureum (again, a difference in age might account for this).

As stated previously, neither of these have flowered for me. The finlaysonianum definitely looks like it should be a flowering-size plant, as it is getting to be a bit of a beast. Until now, I have been treating it like a warm-growing cattleya during the winter. This year it's going out with the other cymbidiums, for the standard cool-to-intermediate nighttime temperature range, and I am going to let it get fairly dry between waterings. Hopefully this will get it to flower by terrifying it into thinking that the grim reaper is approaching, or walking it across the street to the always merciless neighborhood orchid judges--a small herd of goats.

If anyone has firsthand experience with either of these, I would appreciate any feedback you are willing to provide.