Cymbidium ensifolium var. alba - Orchid Board

Merlyn · #1 08-27-2011, 11:29 PM

Waited 3 years for this one, I'm having a deja vu about that ! Lol ! Still not sure if I'm going to adopt officially ! Just opened yesterday !

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vandagirl · #2 08-28-2011, 04:59 AM

Wow. That is a nice one. So special with the white striped leaves.

Daethen · #3 08-28-2011, 09:15 AM

I wish I had the room for Cyms.

Very nice healthy plant.

Merlyn · #4 08-28-2011, 12:44 PM

Jonada, the plant is only 14" and the pot 8" so the total size is 22". SMALL for a Cym !!

smweaver · #5 08-31-2011, 06:16 AM

Those are fantastic. And the plant looks super nice! I'd keep it just for the plant itself (the wonderfully scented blooms would simply be an added bonus).

Would you mind providing a description of your cultural practices, please? I grow this species too, but it's not nearly as lush as your plant, and I'm always interested to learn what successful growers do to get their plants to grow well for them.

Steve

Chuckie · #6 10-10-2011, 06:34 AM

Ensifolium is such a beautiful species. This albino form is particularly nice. It looks like it is a fantastic grower. Glad it is doing so well for you.

Merlyn · #7 10-10-2011, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smweaver

Those are fantastic. And the plant looks super nice! I'd keep it just for the plant itself (the wonderfully scented blooms would simply be an added bonus).

Would you mind providing a description of your cultural practices, please? I grow this species too, but it's not nearly as lush as your plant, and I'm always interested to learn what successful growers do to get their plants to grow well for them.

Steve

Steve, I put it outside and only last week brought it in. I kept it sitting in a saucer so there was usually water in it more than not. Fed it with full strength (1 tsp/gal) and am using Grow More 20-10-20 urea free. I also put a lot of Dynamite timed release in it when I repotted it. My mentor just bought it before I put it on the member sales table at our show !!! Seems he killed his !!! How's that go ? The student teaches the teacher ??? !! LOL !!!! I had to part with it because I've stepped up a level in my Catasetum addiction !!! All my "babies" are teenagers now and still growing !!!

Cym Ladye · #8 10-10-2011, 05:45 PM

Does this plant actually have variable, variegated foliage or is the shading a product of camera lighting?

Merlyn · #9 10-10-2011, 08:34 PM

Not variegated, just the lighting. Solid green leaves.

Libo · #10 10-25-2011, 01:19 PM

By looking at the leaves, it is an "iron bone su xin" type of ensifolium, which explains why you waited so long for it to bloom. This type has very tough leaves and sends a lot of shoots every year. However, they are shy bloomers which need lots of sun and less frequent dividing than others to bloom well.