Introduction to the Cymbidium goeringii 'Holy Fire' Variety and Its Care Essentials

The Story of How the Cymbidium goeringii Bicolor Flower 'Holy Fire' Was Discovered

 

    Just as the new century was about to arrive, two orchid lovers from Dazhu County, Sichuan Province, Luo Ping and Wang Yong, driven by their passion for orchids, braved the snow and wind, and on December 27, 2001, together with two grass diggers, set out on a journey north to the Daba Mountains (Wanyuan) to collect orchids.

    After a day's journey, the four of them arrived at a place called Xiejiaopo, on the border between Wanyuan City and Chengkou County of Chongqing Municipality, and settled in. Early the next morning (the 28th), the four rode motorcycles up the mountain to collect orchids. After a painstaking search, Wang Yong was the first to discover a clump of 16 plants, bearing 5 flower scapes (one of which had double flowers), each scape just so, a Cymbidium goeringii bicolor flower of extremely vivid coloration. Their excitement was beyond words, and on the 30th they hurried back to Dazhu. The next day was New Year's Day, and Wang Yong and Luo Ping discussed matters and decided to divide out 8 plants (2 flower scapes) to take to Chengdu's Qingshi Bridge for sale.

    Upon arriving at Qingshi Bridge, they ran into two orchid brokers, Wang Bo and Old Gao (the name is not clearly remembered). They fell in love with this flower at first sight and could not put it down; soon more than 10 orchid enthusiasts gathered around, all vying for it, and in the end it was bought by orchid friend Ji Yang from Chongzhou for 3,000 yuan per plant. Ji Yang then resold 4 plants to Cheng Jinzhong and 2 plants to Deng Jian for cultivation.

    The remaining 8 plants were divided, with Wang Yong and Luo Ping each getting 4. Apart from Wang Yong's 4 plants, which were sold separately to Dazhu orchid friends Xie Zhongxing and Lian Youguo, Luo Ping also gave 2 of his 4 plants to orchid friend Yang Zuyue. I myself was fortunate last year to go with Deyang orchid friend Zhou Dianguang to Dazhu and obtain 3 plants from Lian Youguo. At present, the total number of plants of this grass in Dazhou and Dazhu is only about 10, and even including those in Chongzhou, it is no more than 50.

    In 2002 this grass bloomed again with double flowers (that is, today's 'Holy Fire'). The flower's form is truly excellent; not only is its coloration vivid, but it also combines red, yellow, white and green in one, making it a rare, high-grade Cymbidium goeringii "piaomen" narcissus-petal bicolor flower. It is like a blazing "torch", and is sure to spread from the Daba Mountains throughout all of China and even the whole world.

    There is some misinformation about the origin and naming of this flower. The true situation is that it comes from the mountainous area on the border between Wanyuan City, Dazhou, Sichuan, and Chengkou County. It was first named "Bashan Torch" by Li Guangde and others. Later this flower was sold to Chongzhou City, where Cheng Jinzhong of Chongzhou named it 'Holy Fire'.