Variable cymbidium identification
 

Hi,

I recently got a no--ID dwarf green cymbidium. The first set of flowers (3 on the spike) had green flowers with a cream coloured lip and red fetches along the rim. A new spike has come up (4 buds produced a month later after my care) that for all intents and purposes looks exactly the save except for the red colouration.

I am desperately trying to find an ID for this interesting specimen - I am not all that familiar with cymbidiums but the closest species I can find to it is ensifolium and although it is a big leap I can imagine this is some derivative of ensifolium either.

Please add your comments and thoughts - I would really appreciate a solid ID on this one :)

Thanks

There are enough hybrids that look similar that it is not possible to give a definite ID. But you are likely correct that it has considerable ensifolium or one (or more) of the other Chinese Cyms in its background . I am quite certain that it is a hybrid, the segments are wider than those of the various Chinese species. The variability is normal - it likes your care! Is it fragrant?

I looked through photos of F1 offspring of Cym ensifolium, sinense, and goeringii. The spots on the lip look a lot like they might have come from goeringii. None of the photos looked close to your plant though, however the collection of photos was fairly limited. (And that's just the F1 generation from those species crossed with various other Cyms, it's likely more complex)

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Thanks a lot for taking a look.

I am glad to know at least it is a hybrid - something is better than nothing :)

I was aware that certain krchid produce slightly different flowers based on growing conditions and in other cases the male or female flower or age but I had no idea cymbidiums could do it and I love it - each spike will be a surprise

This is my first cymbidium and I cam say I like the Chinese and Japanese types a lot more than the huge types we are used to seeing in the shop and nurseries although they are beautiful too.

The foliage on this one has very feignt strips along its length - a pale green/yellow color but you wouldn't see it if you didn't look closely (possibly this is just the leaf structure which can be seen in certain light?)


This one is very fragrant especially around the early morning and late afternoon/evening. For me the fragrance reminds me of the typical sweet scent of many types if orchids with some hints of jasmine.

I have looked at the species you mentioned and I can say that I cam agree with your observations.

Thanks again for taking the time to have a look

With fragrance, it probably isn't very many generations from the species. And variegation on the leaves is rather special too... It's highly prized on the various Chinese/Japanese species, and very likely one of those variegated types was in its ancestry. Nice!

I really like this specimen - when I saw it for sale I jumped right on.

Thanks again for your input.