Cymbidium erythrostylum

I love Cymbidiums. Back where I came from in Myanmar, every spring there is nothing more majestic than seeing large pots of Cymbidium orchid cover with hundreds of bloom. Cym. lowianum, eburneum, parishii, hookerianum, tracyanum ... yellow/green, white, pink, green, red/brown, the color combinations is endless. Unfortunately, for most grower outside of the temperate climate and high elevation, growing and blooming them is a challenge.

Cymbidium require high light, and then several months of chilly nights as low as 10'C from August till the spike come in late winter to spring. Even then, the night temperature has to be remain cool until all the buds are open. This prove to be obstacle for grower in low land and tropic, and even harder for home grower because of its size and cool night requirement for blooming. Most cymbidium bulbs are about the size of tennis ball or larger and they easily fill up 12" pot quickly in one or two season. With their 3-4 feet long leafs and flower spikes, its almost impossible to accommodate them indoor for normal house.

Fortunately, there is one species from Vietnam that challenge the norm of the standard cymbidium. Cymbidium erythrostylum came from northern Vietnam is its one of the smallest species from the standard group. The plant has 1-2" bulb and leaf that stay under 24". Despite the small plant size, it carry 3" Iris like white bloom with yellow streaked lip. The spike can carry up to 12 flowers but, usually on average its between 5-8.

Not only Cym. erythrostylum is miniature in size compare to its big sisters, it's also one of the most warmth tolerent of the group. What I mean by warmth tolerant is that it still able to produce spike under intermediate condition; night temperature as high as 13-15 'C. It's also have unusual habit of blooming while the growth is getting mature compare to most normal cymbidium which bloom after the bulb is fully developed. For this reason Cym. erythrostylum usually blooms anywhere from May to August. Perfect for keeping it outdoor in northern hemisphere as we enjoy our BBQ and summer patio.