Ode to Chunmei and Chunlan: A Poetic Appreciation of Early Spring Flowers

Brief Introduction to the Breeding History of Yongchun Mei;

    In the spring of 2006, a mountain farmer from Fengping Township, Songyang County, found this flower in the Fengyang Mountain Range near Fengping Township. By then the flowering period had passed, but it could still be recognized as a good flower. When it was brought down the mountain, there were 4 and a half seedlings of grass. In the year it was brought down the mountain, it was bought by orchid enthusiast Zhang Genlin from Gushi Town, Songyang County, for 800 yuan. In 2007, the grass had not yet adapted to the pot and did not bloom, until in the spring of 2008 a clump of grass produced two standard plum blossoms (10 seedlings in total, large and small, old and young). It was exhibited as "Feng Mei" at the Lanxi Orchid Exhibition and won a silver award. At that time, orchid enthusiast Ying Jingdong from Jinyun County offered 3,000 yuan per seedling, but the deal was not completed. Later, Chen Jianxing and Pan Liangyong from Dayang Town, Jinyun County, completed the deal at 3,500 yuan per seedling (5 seedlings of grass and two old pseudobulbs with leaves from when they were brought down the mountain were sold). In the spring of 2009, it bloomed again, and at the 9th Zhejiang Provincial Orchid Expo in Tonglu (under the name of a new plum blossom brought down from the mountain), it won a gold award.

Origin of the name Yongchun Mei:

    This flower blooms so well that it can compare with the old varieties. It is a rare new flower brought down from the mountain in recent years. Whether in flower retention, flower color, or flower shape, it is first-class. Many orchid enthusiasts are suspicious of it and are looking for its mother and father. This is understandable. Technology is too advanced now, but time will prove whether it is a native species. This flower won a gold award at the 9th Zhejiang Provincial Orchid Expo in Tonglu (under the name of a new plum blossom brought down from the mountain). This is also a strong affirmation by Zhejiang orchid experts that it is a native species.

    This flower blooms so well that naming it required careful deliberation. It had to sound smooth, sound impressive, and not overlap with others' names. I chose two. One was "Yongxing Mei", hoping it would be a new star of the future and also an eternal new star. The other was "Yongchun Mei". In the sluggish orchid market, spring is needed, spring should be sung, and eternal spring is even more needed. Orchid enthusiast Chen Jianxing chose "Fengyang Mei" to commemorate its birthplace. After discussion, the two decided to use "Yongchun Mei". I hope orchid enthusiasts will offer plenty of criticism.