Regarded by many as the most beautiful of all of the Cyms, Cymbidium elegans produces large pendants of flowers that hang gracefully beneath the foliage on arching canes.
The yellow flowers appear in winter and are very fragrant, the natural growth habit and sheer weight of the flowers give it a natural cascading look, one of the classic Cymbidium Orchid Species.
Care
This is an orchid that grows well in cooler climates, it is naturally an epiphytic or lithophytic species that grows in light shade.
Best grown in a hanging basket beneath shade cloth, you can use a general cymbidium orchid mis, or a pine bark and perlite mix with a mixture to suit your climate.
Watering is the key to growing this orchid. The growing medium needs to almost dry between waterings. So a deep watering every 7 – 14 days depending on the climate works well.
Fertilise with a general Cymbidium Orchid fertiliser.
Propagation
Propagation is generally from divisions.
Summary Information
- Botanical Name – Cymbidium elegans
- Common Name – The Elegant Cymbidium.
- Family – Orchidaceae
- Origins – South West China.
- Height – To around .5 metres.
- Spread – To around .5 m
- Growth rate – Medium.
- Position – Light shade.
- Soil – Use a specialist cymbidium orchid mix..
- Flowers – A clear yellow.
- Flowering Time – Winter
- Foliage – Mid green.
- Frost tolerant – No
- Drought tolerant – No
Cymbidium elegans is available for sale from the following growers.
This is a species that is best purchased from orchid shows or orchid societies.