OrchidSafari
2/10/2007

Chinese Cymbidium and Culture Exhibition

Chinese Cymbidiums have been in cultivation for centuries. Continuous selection of particularly interesting forms from the wild has yielded specimens which are valued for their graceful foliage, and beautiful and often fragrant flowers in shades of pink, green, yellow and white. Selected plants can fetch thousands of dollars. Chinese Cymbidiums are a symbol of friendship and virtue: they have a reputation for longevity. Over the past decade, Chinese Cymbidiums have become a hot commercial item throughout Asia and throughout the orchid world. Perhaps you have one or several in your collection.

It was my great honor to be invited to the First Chinese Cymbidium and Cymbidium Culture Exhibition which was held in Beijing, China, January 25 to 29, 2007. Weather in January is cool and dry. It was about 30 to 35F by day and fortunately, the days during the conference were sunny, clear and not too cold. Exhibitors would be hand carrying their orchids outdoors and I am sure that protection from freezing would have been required if it was much colder.

Here we see Dr. Peter Bernhardt (left) and William Rhodehamel (right) next to a commemorative plaque featuring the quince blooms.

We also visited the Forbidden City. The 'Emperor' was waving to crowds as they passed through the initial gates.

Many of the building have been restored but this is an ongoing task. Inside the Hall of Peace and Harmony, we could see the throne and other interesting decorations.

I took particular delight in visiting the garden where ancient trees grew, where Golden Bamboo spiraled out of hidden courtyards, and where tree peonies were resting in bud, waiting for spring to burst forth in their typically gorgeous fashion.

The first of two exhibitions was staged in the Great Hall of the People. Each nursery provided a poster which carried their name and a note about their nursery, pictures of some of their best cultivars and placed in front, one of their prized specimens.

Most plants were growing in a standard clay Cymbidium pot but a few were in very ornamental pots. In most instances, the plant was surrounded by a perfect mound of moss.

Cymbidiums which bloom in winter and were therefore blooming at this show include Cymbidium sinense which is called the New Year's plant in China. Cymbidium kanran is fragrant. Cymbidium tortisepalum, Cym. tortisepalum var. longibracteata, and Cym. serratum were featured in the show.

Variegated foliage interests me so here are some of the forms seen.

Flowers were varied and some selected for their peloric nature such as this one (a picture of a poster image) which is also pictured on one of the stamps issued especially for the conference.

I liked this peloric flower also.

Green flowers attract my attention. I really liked this Cym. serratum with its dark green bloom with its red-dotted lip.

Some plants had double and even triple/quadruple lips and segments. This cultivar has a double lip.

I loved this pale green flower, so delicate and ethereal. This is a Cym. tortisepalum cultivar. The species comes in a wide range of colors including pink.

The actual blooming plant was not available but I thought that this was a 'perfect' example of pelorism. Clearly somebody considers it a winner also to be featured on a stamp. Flowers were varied and some selected for their peloric nature such as this one (a picture of a poster image) which is also pictured on one of the stamps issued especially for the conference.

I found the range of flowers surprising. Doubles and pelorics I could believe, and a range of colors also, but some flowers were so doubled that you could not see the column. Some columns were so enlarged that they dominated the flower. Then there were the classic single blooms in such a range of colors. The recently described Cym serratum is a lovely species.

The Chinese have been growing terrestrial Cymbidiums for more than 1000 years. Species including Cymbidium goeringii, Cymbidium sinense, Cymbidium ensifolium and Cymbidium kanran grow in cool well-drained soil, often in rocky places in groves of bamboo. They must be sheltered from strong sun and summer heat. The long thick roots are the primary storage organs and must be conserved if a plant is to thrive. In one poster, we see a grower examining roots prior to repotting or sale.

Over the centuries, interesting forms have been collected from the wild but conservation of the natural resource is a growing concern if new cultivars are to be obtained. For this reason, the scientific presentations centered about a conservation theme. Dr. Phillip Cribb (England), formerly Chair of the Orchid Specialist Group, spoke on An Integrated Approach to Orchid Conservation in Madagascar. Dr. Karasawa Koji (Japan) presented on aspects of commercial production and distribution of Cymbidium in Japan. Dr. Kingsley Dixon (Australia) presented a series of novel ventures of educational appeal. Australia Nature has produced an educational kit popular with school children and hobbyists also. It consists of pasteurized mulch, seeds in sand and a fungal inoculum to start one's very own terrestrial orchids. Great idea!

Dr. Peter Bernhardt (Saint Louis University) spoke about pollination of Cypripedium explaining how and why few flowers produce fruits especially Chinese cyps growing above 3000 m where there are fewer pollinators and pollen tubes take longer to reach the ovary.

William Rhodehamel (Hoosier Orchids) talked about work of the AOS Conservation Committee and how his nursery, Hoosier Orchids, practices ex situ conservation by maintaining an extensive living collection, disseminating propagules by sale, bring more species into cultivation, and by helping growers in range states conserve populations locally.

Marilyn Light (Canada) presented a parallel long term study of Cypripedium reginae in two parks, one a ecotourism park where intervention is permitted, and in a federal park where research and conservation is a primary focus. What is observed in one location can be confirmed in the other park which in turn can assist conservation managers dealing with management challenges including population decline.

We celebrated together at a gathering of Chinese Orchid Masters where there was an exhibition of Chinese Orchid Painting and Calligraphy. There were prints of famous works done hundreds of years ago and more recent art also. All featured orchids mostly Chinese Cymbidiums. I particularly enjoyed this work which is clearly modern.

To finish the week, we gathered for a farewell evening banquet. Featured was a delicious dish Dong Po Elbow which is in front of the picture. This is a succulent and tasty pork joint that has been simmered with various spices to render it tender and very, very good. Another dish was a combination of cooked white beans and apricots. What a sweet tasty but simple combination!

This was followed by an exciting show of song and dance featuring the stars of stage, television and even the internet. The first act was a singing dance troop whose act was derived somewhat from classic Chinese opera.

This was a very worthwhile experience where I had an opportunity to meet Chinese growers, see a wide range of prized Cymbidium cultivars and to experience the warm and friendly Chinese hospitality. All good things must come to an end. I found this last Beijing sunset the perfect memory of a thoroughly enjoyable orchid event.

Cultural Tips: Temperature is the most critical factor in blooming Chinese cymbidiums. Considering that they are mountain plants, their roots must be kept cool especially during the heat of summer. Chinese growers keep their cymbidiums under heavy shade during summer heat Once temperatures rise above 80F, ventilation must be provided . As the summer days shorten, night temperature should be around 50F/10C to initiate flower spikes. Cooler temperatures in winter are recommended 50F/10C nights and 70F/20C days. Chinese cymbidiums like our typical Cymbidiums can survive light frost but flowers/buds can be damaged.

Chinese cymbidiums have very long roots so deep narrow pots are typically used. I have found that shallow pots permit more extensive root growth which might be useful with some cultivars. I note also that nurseries only put plants in narrow pots when readying them for sale. Repot after flowering, selecting a pot that will allow for two to three years of growth. I have found my plant 'Rainbow' to be a fairly fast grower producing multiple leads every year.

References: See Orchid Safari Archive August 1999

http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/cymspecies/
http://winterview.com/AOS_Article_3.htm
http://www.firstrays.com/chn_cymb.htm
http://www.cloudsorchids.com/cymbid.htm

Questions or discussion anyone?

Jade_in_GR
That photo with the root examination is really a good one. Super informative.

MarilyninOttawa
The roots look so clean and incredibly 'furry'. I think that is extremely important to keep these roots as healthy as possible. Much like Phals, these cymbidiums are storing much of their nutrients and water in their roots. There are pseudobulbs but these have nothing like the capacity of roots for storage.

N_Calif_Kathy
You've found Shallow pots allow for more root growth? Not deep narrow pots?

MarilyninOttawa
Chinese cymbidiums have very long roots so deep narrow pots are typically used. I have found that shallow pots permit more extensive root growth which might be useful with some cultivars. I note also that nurseries only put plants in narrow pots when readying them for sale. Repot after flowering, selecting a pot that will allow for two to three years of growth. I have found my plant 'Rainbow' to be a fairly fast grower producing multiple leads every year.

Pictures I did not show you (which were illustrations on posters and in various booklets) show the plants being raised in community trays thence in broader rounded pots which hang from bars along the walls of glasshouses.

N_Calif_Kathy
Could they have been coconut husks? Or just pots? I understand the Thais grow many other orchids on cocnut husks, hung from the side of the glass house...

MarilyninOttawa
It is difficult to describe but the pots are somewhat like upside down helmets. Think of a top hat, top rounded, but inverted. The rim keeps the pot suspended between two metal bars.

N_Calif_Kathy
In light of what Eric Wolff at Winterview had too say about potting methods (larger bark topped with finer bark) I'm wondering about this Chinese way of mounding sphagnum moss, like with Neofinetias. What do you think Marilyn? Since you saw them 1st hand. Moisture at the top, yet still allows air deeper down?

barbara_in_no._CA
Marilyn do they use all Sp. moss? No bark and things like that?

Jade_in_GR
Do they recommend using the sphagnum moss at the top of the plant during normal growth or was that only for exhibition?

MarilyninOttawa
I suspect that the fresh moss mounds were applied for show purposes. I did see some pots with living moss and chips pecking through. They seem to use a range of media. The bottom of the container is filled with 'rocks'. This could be pebbles or fired clay pellets or rocks. They use a wide range of media but when you examine the roots (in photos) it does not seem that they are using much organic substrate.

Jade_in_GR
Wonder if they will ever be exported to N America???

MarilyninOttawa
I think this is one of the possibilities being explored. Some of these plants are very expensive. Tens of thousands of dollars! I think that it might be possible to get some at the WOC next year. We will have to see what vendors will be there and what they stock. I certainly like my plants and would try some others if available.

 -end

Prechat Handout

Chinese Cymbidium and Culture Exhibition

© Marilyn H. S. Light
February 2007

Chinese Cymbidiums have been in cultivation for centuries. Continuous selection of particularly interesting forms from the wild has yielded specimens which are valued for their graceful foliage, and beautiful and often fragrant flowers in shades of pink, green, yellow and white. Selected plants can fetch thousands of dollars. Chinese Cymbidiums are a symbol of friendship and virtue: they have a reputation for longevity. Over the past decade, Chinese Cymbidiums have become a hot commercial item throughout Asia and throughout the orchid world. Perhaps you have one or several in your collection.

It was my great honor to be invited to the First Chinese Cymbidium and Cymbidium Culture Exhibition which was held in Beijing, China, January 25 to 29, 2007. I shared the honor of being a featured speaker with Dr. Phillip Cribb (England), Dr. Karasawa Koji (Japan), Dr. Kingsley Dixon (Australia), Dr. Peter Bernhardt (Saint Louis University) and William Rhodehamel (Hoosier Orchids). We all presented on a conservation theme. Before the scientific workshop which was held on Jan. 27, we were treated to an exhibition of Chinese Cymbidiums by some 400 delegates which was staged in the Great Hall of the People. The day after the scientific presentations, we celebrated a gathering of Chinese Orchid Masters and an exhibition of Chinese Orchid Painting and Calligraphy. To finish the week, we gathered for a farewell evening banquet which was followed by an exciting show of song and dance. This was avery worthwhile experience where I had an opportunity to meet Chinese growers, see a wide range of prized Cymbidium cultivars and to experience the warm and friendly Chinese hospitality.