Family
Orchidaceae
Botanical Name
Cymbidium insigne
Plant Common Name
Cymbidium Orchid, Splendid Cymbidium
General Description
Splendid cymbidium earns its name from its abundant display of waxy, pale pink blossoms with spotted lips. Native to the high elevation cloud forests of Thailand, Vietnam and southernmost China, it grows in sandy soils nestled in the shade of shrub cover. Flowering occurs over a long season from late fall to spring.
The light green, sword-shaped leaves of this evergreen, clump-forming cymbidium arise from flattened, oval pseudobulbs . Active growth occurs in spring and summer. When fall temperatures cool, thigh to chest high flower stems appear. Each stem (scape) bears 10 to 30 flowers in loose clusters. Each non-fragrant blossom has five white to faintly pink tepals and a labellum (lip) with wavy lobes covered with burgundy spots.
Grow splendid cymbidium orchid in nearly full shade and gritty or sandy soil with high organic matter. It adapts well to container culture as long as water can freely drain from the roots. Provide ample water with diluted fertilizer when in active growth in spring and summer. By late autumn, expose plants to cool or chilly night temperatures which induce flowering.
Plant this large, terrestrial orchid as a container plant or in a shaded rockery outdoors in humid, frost-free locations. Indoors it should be provided high humidity, bright indirect light and plenty of space to reach its full potential. Its showy flowers are ideal for cutting.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 13
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tender Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Partial Shade, Full Shade
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Height
2'-5' / 0.6m - 1.5m
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Width
3'-5' / 0.9m - 1.5m
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Native To
Southeastern Asia, China, Polynesia, Australia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Sand
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Growth Rate
Slow
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Cutflower, Feature Plant, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
