Cym. ensifolium

[pheli]

The clone usually has short spikes and hence there are fewer flowers on it.
Like other ensifoliums, the fragrance is great!

[LinhT]

pheli, I always love seeing pics of your orchids. As much as I'd like to, I don't have the space or appropriate lighting to grow cyms right now. Just for future reference, what type of conditions do you grow this one in? Light, temp, special watering needs?

[smweaver]

Those are beautiful, Pheli. I love Cymbidium ensifolium and, thanks to its magnificent fragrance, wouldn't care if this species had the ugliest flowers on the planet.

Steve

[dgenovese1]

That's beautiful Pheli,

Is it considered to be a warm tolerant cymbidium? I can't grow the cool growers in my area, and wouldn't mind adding this guy to my wish list if it will tolerate my warm weather.

Well done

[pheli]

Thanks for the kind words!


Since Taiwan is the main inhabit of Cym. Ensifolium, most plants of this species grow well in our man-made condition.
I just grow mine in my courtyard, where they are just grown under a big tree, which is about the effect of 50 % shade clothe. In winter, the light level should be increased.
Cym. Ensifolium enjoys high humidity, but also loves good air moving condition. Compared with another common species, Cym. Sinense, ensifolium needs drier medium. I usually water my plants when the medium is about 90% dry-out during their active growing phase. During winter rest, it should be watered when the medium dry out totally.
The summer temp. is about 25-35 ℃ and in winter, about 12-18 ℃ here. The plants are able to tolerate a wide range of temp. difference, but in hot days, some fungal infections usually occur and in dry days, scales should be noticed.
The mediums should be fine, but pure moss is not suggested. But in old days, moss was added on the upper medium to keep higher humidity.



Steve, the fragrance of this species is really nice. So it is called the fragrance of the king, too.



Hi David, I think it is oK to grow this species in FL. But low temp.(low than 20℃)in winter seems needed for the species to bloom. Some friends that gorw this species in areas that lack distinct change in four seasons can not let their plants flower. But you can try some common clones. Another thing that will faciliate blooming is keep the medium dry for 3 weeks in late spring. Hope you can bloom them in FL.

[dgenovese1]

Originally Posted by pheli

Thanks for the kind words!
Hi David, I think it is oK to grow this species in FL. But low temp.(low than 20℃)in winter seems needed for the species to bloom. Some friends that gorw this species in areas that lack distinct change in four seasons can not let their plants flower. But you can try some common clones. Another thing that will faciliate blooming is keep the medium dry for 3 weeks in late spring. Hope you can bloom them in FL.

Pheli,

Thanks for the detailed information! Where I am in Florida, it does get below 20 C at night during the winter months, although it is rarely that cool during the daytime. In any case, it does seem like I should be able to grow and bloom it here. I'll just have to not protect it when we get those cooler nights.

Thanks again!

[pheli]

Originally Posted by dgenovese1

Pheli,

Thanks for the detailed information! Where I am in Florida, it does get below 20 C at night during the winter months, although it is rarely that cool during the daytime. In any case, it does seem like I should be able to grow and bloom it here. I'll just have to not protect it when we get those cooler nights.

Thanks again!

David, your weather is like that in south Taiwan and seems still too hot for them. But some of my friends that live in south Taiwan have successfully get the species bloom. In hot climite, this species tends to produce a lot of new growths and then ....forgets to flower.
And hence, keep the plant dry gradually from late autumn till early spring to force them to rest.
Another way to make them flower is repotting in early spring, which will stimulate the plants to flower.

[Royal]

Pheli, Thank you for that great info! You must have quite a collection of different varieties of C. ensifolium. Very impressive!

David, I grow ensifolium here in East TX. Trust me, it's hot here too. It's that last one to come inside for the winter and it's the first one to go out in spring. Mine is just putting up a second flush of spikes!

[pheli]

Royal, I like all chinese cymbidiums. But due to limited space for them, I only have about 15 different plants of Cym. ensifolium.

[Royal]

Only 15, huh? Doesn't sound too limited!