Cymbidium lowianum: Growth, Care, and Blooming Tips

The Cymbidium lowianum, is an epiphytic plant with narrow elliptical pseudobulbs that are slightly flattened, measuring 6-13 centimeters in length and 2-5 centimeters in width, tucked within the base of the leaves.

It has 5-7 strap-shaped leaves, 65-80 centimeters long and 2-3.6 centimeters wide. The inflorescence emerges from the sheath at the base of the pseudobulbs, almost upright; it is a raceme with 10-20 or more flowers.

The sepals and petals are apple green or yellow-green with reddish-brown longitudinal veins, and the lip is pale yellow. The petals are narrow, inversely ovate-elongated, with the blooming season in April and May.

This species grows on trees in forests or on rocky cliffs beside streams at elevations of 1300-1900 meters and is found in China, Myanmar, and Thailand. It is cultivated and has significant horticultural value.

I. Morphological Characteristics

The Green-veined Orchid’s pseudobulbs are narrow elliptical, slightly compressed, and concealed within the base of the leaves.

The 5-7 strap-shaped leaves, measuring 65-80 centimeters in length and 2-3.6 centimeters in width, taper to a short point or almost acute tip, with nodes located 6-9 centimeters from the base.

The flower spike arises enveloped by the sheath at the base of the pseudobulbs, is nearly upright, spreading or arching, and measures 60-80 centimeters in length. The raceme carries 10-20 or more flowers.

The bracts are ovate-triangular, about 3 millimeters long; the pedicels and ovaries are 3-4 centimeters long. The flowers, 7-9 centimeters in diameter, are unscented.

The sepals and petals are apple green or yellow-green with reddish-brown veins; the lip is pale yellow with a deep red anchor-shaped mark (or a V-shaped pattern and a central line).

The sepals are narrowly inverted ovate-elongate, 4-5 centimeters long and 1.4-1.6 centimeters wide.

The petals, narrowly inverted ovate-elongate, are nearly the same length as the sepals and 8-10 millimeters wide. The lip, nearly broad ovate, is 3.5-4 centimeters long, three-lobed, and fused with the column at the base for 3-4 millimeters.

The side lobes are hairy, especially densely covered with short hairs at the front. The mid-lobe has dense short hairs in the anchor-shaped mark area, with an eroded margin and slightly wavy.

There are two thickened longitudinal lamellae on the lip disk, extending from 7-9 millimeters from the base to the base of the mid-lobe, topped with fine hairs.

The column is 2.7-3 centimeters long, curved forward with wings on either side, and the base of the ventral surface has nipple-like protuberances or short hairs. There are two pollinia, triangular in shape. The flowering period is from April to May.

II. Distribution Range

This species thrives on trees in forests or on rocky cliffs beside streams, at elevations of 1300-1900 meters. It is distributed in Myanmar and Thailand, with the type specimen collected from Myanmar.

III. Growth Environment

Orchids typically thrive on the slopes of secluded mountain valleys, within crevices of slanted hillsides that offer good water drainage and retention, or by sparse grasses and under the shade of secondary mixed woods.

They prefer environments where sunlight is minimal or filtered, and the air is humid with good circulation. Sometimes, they are also found on cliffs beside mountain streams.

Orchids should be cultivated in well-ventilated areas. They favor shade and high humidity, and direct sunlight and dryness should be avoided.

The optimal temperature range for their growth is between 59°F to 86°F. Temperatures above 95°F can inhibit growth, while those below 41°F may adversely affect their vigor, potentially causing dormancy.

If exposed to excessive heat and sunlight, leaves can suffer burn damage or scorch within a couple of days. Conversely, if they are not moved indoors in time during cold weather, frost damage may occur.

Orchids have fleshy roots and thrive best in sandy loam rich in humus with excellent drainage. Leaf mold or humus-rich mountain soil should be used. Slightly acidic soil with iron content and a pH value between 5.5 and 6.5 is preferred.

IV. Growth and Propagation

Division

Suitable for both spring and autumn, orchids should typically be divided every three years. Plants that are vigorous and have dense pseudobulbs are ideal for division, ensuring that at least five connected pseudobulbs are retained per cluster.

Before dividing, watering should be reduced to dry out the soil. After dividing, when repotting, cover the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot with broken tile pieces, followed by a layer of coarse gravel taking up one-fifth to one-quarter of the pot’s depth.

Then, add a mix of coarse and fine soil before planting with humus-rich sandy loam. The planting depth should barely cover the pseudobulbs, leaving a 2 cm margin at the edge of the pot. Top the soil with sphagnum moss or fine gravel and water thoroughly.

Place the plant in a shaded area for 10-15 days, keeping the soil moist. Gradually reduce watering and proceed with normal care.

Sowing

Orchid seeds are extremely fine and contain an underdeveloped embryo, resulting in low germination rates. The seed coat is also resistant to water absorption, making conventional sowing methods ineffective.

Therefore, orchid mycorrhiza or an artificial culture medium is necessary to provide the nutrients for germination. It is best to use fruit that has not yet split open.

Sterilize the surface with 75% alcohol, extract the seeds, and soak them in 10% sodium hypochlorite for 5-10 minutes. Afterward, rinse thrice with sterile water before sowing in a culture bottle with a growth medium.

Place in a dark cultivation room at around 77°F until germination, then move to light to form protocorms. From sowing to transplantation, it usually takes six months to a year. Tissue culture has been successful and can be used for propagation where conditions allow.

V. Pest and Disease Control

White Rot

This commonly occurs during damp, moldy seasons. Initially, the base of the leaves is covered with white mycelium, leading to rhizome rot.

Control methods include removing contaminated soil and applying quintozene powder or lime. For a definitive solution, ensure good ventilation and drainage. Severely infected plants should be incinerated.

Anthracnose

This disease is present year-round but is especially rampant during hot, rainy seasons, particularly affecting Cymbidium orchids.

Lesions start at the leaf tips and move towards the rhizome, beginning as brown spots that eventually enlarge and multiply, forming many dry black dots, and can lead to the death of the entire plant.

Control methods, aside from improving environmental conditions, include spraying with 50% methoxyfenozide wettable powder diluted to 800-1500 times its volume every 7-10 days during the outbreak followed by a 1% Bordeaux mixture application every half-month, spraying 3-5 times in succession.

Scale Insects

Commonly known as “orchid lice,” they reproduce rapidly in high humidity and poor air circulation. During the hatching period, they can be treated with 1% malathion or a 1500 times diluted 50% malathion sulfur solution. For a small number of pots, they may also be manually removed.