Where does Jianlan (Cymbidium ensifolium) grow? How many times does it bloom a year, and how should it be cared for?

Jianlan (Cymbidium ensifolium) is native to many parts of China and widely distributed across the countries of Southeast Asia and South Asia, reaching as far north as Japan. This flower is cultivated and has relatively high horticultural and herbal value. So, where does Jianlan grow? How many times does it bloom a year? How should it be cared for?

1. Where does Jianlan grow?

Orchids generally grow on mountain slopes and valley walls in deep mountains and secluded valleys, on sloped hillsides or in rock crevices with good water permeability and water retention, beside sparse mountain grass, and in the shade of secondary mixed woods. Or in places with shade, short sunlight hours, or only scattered, dappled light. In places with high air humidity where air can circulate, they sometimes also grow on cliffs beside mountain streams.

2. How many times does Jianlan bloom a year?

The flowering period of Jianlan is usually from June to October, and it can mostly bloom twice a year, with the flowering period from June to October, usually opening in two rounds about one month apart; the first bloom period begins in early July, with peak bloom in mid-July; the second bloom begins in early August, with peak bloom in mid-August; add to this that one stem bears many flowers, which consumes a great deal of nutrients. Therefore, during care you should follow the principle of light but frequent fertilizing, and fertilize relatively often, so that Jianlan grows robustly and blooms properly.

3. How should Jianlan be cared for?

Jianlan likes a warm, humid and semi-shaded environment, and has poor cold tolerance; its overwintering temperature should not be lower than 3°C. It fears direct strong light, and cannot tolerate waterlogging or drought. It is best grown on loose, fertile leaf mold with good drainage. Wild Jianlan mostly grows on forest-edge slopes or in places full of sunlight under sparse trees on hilltops. Therefore, Jianlan is an orchid species that relatively likes sufficient light; in daily care it can be placed in the most light-exposed spot on the orchid rack in the orchid room, with as little shading as possible, otherwise it is not easy to produce flowers. Some Jianlan varieties even need full exposure to sun in daily care in order to bloom.

Jianlan's flowering season is generally in the high-temperature season from July to September, when thrips and aphids are most likely to attack the buds and flowers, causing buds not to grow, to turn brown, or to wither and die, and the flowers to be chewed beyond recognition, seriously affecting their ornamental value. Therefore, from the emergence of flower spikes to full bloom, Jianlan should focus on prevention, combining prevention with control, and promptly spraying medication for control, so as to avoid pest damage.

Wild Jianlan mostly grows in the warm, humid subtropical regions south of the Yangtze River, where low temperatures below 0°C rarely occur, so it is relatively afraid of freezing. When cultivated in areas north of the Yangtze River, it should be kept in a closed orchid room in winter, and the temperature must not be lower than 0°C, otherwise cold damage easily occurs.