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Cymbidium Orchid
Picture Source:California Cut Flower Commission
Popular Name:
Cymbidium Orchid
Botanical Name and Pronunciation:
Cymbidium (sim-BID-ee-um)
Common Name(s):
n/a
Color(s):
pink, rose, yellow, green; with rose or pink lip
Form and Size:
The stems of cymbidium orchids are 16 – 24 inches long with 8 – 20 flowers. The flowers are 2 – 3 inches in diameter. There are 5 outer petals that are one color, then a sixth petal that forms a lip, is frilled or fringed and is colored differently than the other petals.
Vase Life:
17 – 21 days
Availability:
year-round
Care Instructions:
Remove any leaves at the bottom of the stem, cut under water and place in fresh water with flower food.
History and Usage:
A member of the Orchidaceae (orchid) family, cymbidium orchids originated in Asia and Malaysia. Its name comes from the word “kymbe,” which is Greek for boat. This is in reference to the lip of the flower, whose shape is similar to a boat. These blossoms look beautiful in bridal bouquets and corsages as a single bloom, or in large vase arrangements and other contemporary arrangements as a full stem with many blooms.
Points of Interest:
Relatives of cymbidium orchids include cattleya, dendrobium, paphiopedilum and phalaenopsis orchids. In the 19th century, orchids became very popular and inspired many hunters to look for them. As many as 4,000 trees were cut down at one time in order to get the exotic looking blooms.