Cym ensifolium or C Golden Elf. easier / longer lasting blooms?

[stefpix]

After the previous thread I feel really tempted..

I wonder if I should get one small Cymbidium.

I was going to go for the Cym Golden Elf but I just read somewhere that the blooms may last just a week.

Is the Cym ensifolium a longer lasting bloomer?

thanks

[Cym Ladye]

Stefpix,

Cym. Golden Elf is a hybrid (Enid Haupt x ensifolium) making it half ensifolium with the characteristics of that species. Neither have long lasting blooms, but Cym. Golden Elf lasts longer in my experience. Hybrids are generally easier to grow and I would suggest you head in that direction. I have had Golden Elf blooming for a month in my temperate climate.

I think the reason many say that Cym. ensifolium and its hybrids don't last long is because we Cymbidium growers are used to two+ months of blooming on an inflorescence!
CL

[stefpix]

I wrote kawamoto and they told me their ensifolium can bloom more easily that the golden elf - like up to 3 times a year.
the golden elf blooms last 4 / 5 weeks and the ensifolium 3/4 weeks.

I will probably want to save and get the cheaper one although i prefer species or primary hybrids.

But anyway for me terrestrial orchids seem easier to grow - like Phaius and Spathoglottis and reed stem epi/ epicatt seems the most vigorous / fastest growers in my bedroom.

so maybe u should give Cym a try. I have 2 southern exposure windows. direct sun in the winer; but in the summer gets a bit filtered by a tree ouitside and being on the 2nd floor the light comes in at an angle.

which one has the stronger scent?

[Cym Ladye]

Stepix,

I always like to pass on to newer orchid lovers some advise given me when dinosaurs walked the earth: "Find out which orchid genera do best for you and then grow a lot of them". That is why at one time my orchid collection reached 2,000 Cymbidiums, including seedlings!


CL

[stefpix]

i am still in the finding out phase -
so i appreciate your advice -
but in the specific case what is your take?

stefano

[orchids3]

Stefpix,
Believe you would like them both. The ensifolium is the smaller plant but can say that both are very nice. If an orchid grower could have only one cymbidiums - then I would recomend the Golden Elf but remember cymbidiums 'if grown correctly' get big and quick.

[stefpix]

The thing is the yellow flower of the Golden Elf reminds me too much of a Narcissus - the ensifolium has some stripes and some different colors - and teh petals / sepals seem more turgid.

Why would you choose the Golden Elf if you only needed / wanted one cymbidium?thanks

[orchids3]

Its dependable. lasts longer than ensifolium, is easier to grow and is a breeding line that is warmth tollerant easy to grow and is progressing (10 years ago) There will be better progeny in the future Kusuda Shining another step up the ladder ---yes maybe ----- ensifolium is nice but a starting place.

[stefpix]

Thanks. Isn t ensifolium warm growing as well? Do u have pictures u can send me through here or stefpix at gmail? Bloom and plant. Feel indecisive like hamlet!

[Cym Ladye]

Stefano,

If you are limited to growing entirely inside, prefer only one Cymbidium and love fragrance, I would recommend not Cym. ensifolium, but the species Cym. sinense. It blooms at the time of the Chinese New Year, comes in colors (some with darker stripes) from light green to deep burgundy, tolerant to home temperatures, has more flowers on a taller spike, reblooms a bit more reliably than Cym. ensifolium and is INTENSELY FRAGRANT. It remains a small plant with narrow, slightly longer foliage than ensifolium. Great for windowsill growing. Just Google it and you will find many pictures! Just be sure you buy from a reputable source!!!!!

CL