Chinese cymbidium

[Brev]

I have this for 6 months, and recently I notice a new growth on it. A no-ID one, the vendor just named it "lotus-shaped flower", so I guess it is another waiting game till I see the flowers to know if it is correctly named. But it is a good buy as it only costed me HK$100. Just sharing it, and I love to learn more growing skills from you guys

[Asian Cymbidium Empress]

It looks like Cymbidium ensifolium (四季蘭), the flower petal shape is lotus flower petal (荷弁). Lotus flower petals is the kind of petals is highly prized by the Chinese. The flower petal curves at the tip, so it has a similar flower shape as a lotus flower petal.

Cymbidium ensifolium is the easiest and most forgiving of all the Asian Cymbidiums. It can tolerate abuse. However, I would use Asian Cybidium Mix (東洋蘭用土或用国蘭石). Keep the roots cool all year around, don't give too much light, filtered morning sun will do it (do not have sunshine after 11am).

[SouthPark]

Good on you A.C.E for replying to the original post. I notice the original post is just a little more than a year old. Hoping that owner got some nice results and flowering from it.

I'm new to cymbidiums - very new. In fact ----- only 2 days new hahaha. I received my first ever cymbidium through the mail 2 days ago.

I under-estimated the height or size of these plants. I thought they were going to be 40 to 50 cm or so in height.

When I got home and saw a cardboard box, I was wondering why the box was like three-quarters my height or so heheh.

[Asian Cymbidium Empress]

which Cymbidium did you get?

[SouthPark]

A.C.E. I bought one called Cym. Barrita Princess 'Princess'.

It is mainly white (sepals and petals) and has this very pretty pink pattern for the lip. I can see why they named it Princess!!!!!

It has a flower spike with buds. So hopefully it will get some flowers soon ----- or eventually, and will post some photos to share (once the buds open). It is quite a nice one.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Lol, Sp. I too just got into the cym club. I got some divisions and I am now a Cym grower too

Lol

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

Lol, Sp. I too just got into the cym club. I got some divisions and I am now a Cym grower too.

Thanks for letting me know DC!! Looking forward to seeing the fantastic flowers from your cymbidums.

I never imagined I'd ever be growing other sorts of orchids (apart from catts and a couple of dens) ------ but looks like these other amazing kinds will get us too eventually!!

The cymbidiums get some awesome blooms and lots of flowers for sure. I recall in a magazine somewhere that some cymbidium flowers were closely resembling some kinds of catasetum flowers ------- (or other way around!).

I have another incoming cymbidium - an oldie I think - called Valley Olympic 'Pink Perfection' ----- quite a nice one. The cultivar name is a bit far fetched heheh. I chose this one so that I can start with a white flower one (that's the other one I have right now) and a pinkish-red one. The incoming one doesn't have any flower spike I think, but some new growths.

The one I have now - Barrita Princess 'Princess' was falling down all over the place due to the high winds in the last couple of days!

This afternoon, I had to do that same trick of unpotting to put it in a larger pot. It went well and quickly! It came out fast and mostly intact (the medium that is), and I just popped it in the larger pot (scoria layer on pot bottom) and then packed scoria around the sides of the existing medium mass (that seemed to be a combination of some coconut husk and perlite).

Good growing with your cymbidiums too DC. Looking forward to seeing the cymbidium blooms in future from your side!!

[SouthPark]

I forgot to mention that my very first Aerides in incoming too. The little crescent shapes on some Aerides is so cute.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

I recall in a magazine somewhere that some cymbidium flowers were closely resembling some kinds of catasetum flowers ------- (or other way around!).

I don't recall any Cym that looks anything like a Catasetum or vice versa... However, Cymbidium and Catasetum (and Grammatophyllum and Ansellia and Eulophia) are related. There are a few hybrids registered between Cymbidium and Gramophyllum, (Grammatocidium)but other combinations don't seem to have worked. (Found a Eulophidium that was registered but not much about it... probably didn't do well)

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I don't recall any Cym that looks anything like a Catasetum or vice versa... However, Cymbidium and Catasetum (and Grammatophyllum and Ansellia and Eulophia) are related.

Thanks Roberta!

I finally remembered ------ this link here -- Click Here, is of Cym. Picanniny 'Dark Knight' and it sort of reminded me of some Fdk. flowers.

You're right though. Not pure catasetum. I should have just wrote Fdk. or something.