Introduction to the Characteristics and Care Methods of the Yuchan Chunlan Variety
Yuchan was discovered in the spring of 1994 in Nongling, Guangxi, and was first brought to light by Ma Zhengqi, an orchid grower from Kunming, Yunnan. It is currently cultivated by Ma Zhengqi, Liu Zhonggui, Zhang Yujing, Zhang Hui, Dong Weimin, and others. Yuchan, lily-petal type, with a flowing yet upright form, brilliantly colored, the three outer petals are emerald green, cat-ear holds, large ruyi tongue, the flower color is red with yellow showing through, this flower's white...
Yuchan, lily-petal type, with a flowing yet upright form, brilliantly colored, the three outer petals are emerald green, cat-ear holds, large ruyi tongue, the flower color is red with yellow showing through, this flower's white is like the color of the moon, crystal clear, hence it is commonly called Yuchan. The leaves have deep V-shaped grooves, the fragrance is pure, slightlyfresh!Yuchan blooms easily and propagates easily! Yuchan is best appreciated after 3 days, becoming more spirited the longer it blooms!
Discovered in the spring of 1994 in Nongling, Guangxi. Brought to light by Ma Zhengqi, an orchid grower from Kunming, Yunnan.
Appreciation points:
Yuchan, a Chunlan flowing-type narcissus, flowing yet upright, can be said to be the finest among lily-petal types. Its color is brilliant, the three outer petals are emerald green, cat-ear holds, large ruyi tongue, large and pleasing flowers. The flower color is red with yellow showing through, with strong contrast and a great sense of layering, truly extraordinary.
Background story:
In January 2005, Sichuan orchid growers Mr. Wang Jin and Mr. Zhou Bo attended the spring orchid exhibition held by the Dali Orchid Network together. Because they had seen too many flowers before, ordinary flowers could not catch their eyes at all. At the exhibition they just photographed previously famous varieties, and had originally thought they would go back just like that, when suddenly a trace of moon color flashed across the LCD screen of the digital camera. The two had never seen such a color before and were deeply captivated. Looking again at the flower's form: the exhibitor of this flower was a famous Yunnan orchid master. Although the two liked this flower, they estimated that its price must be very high, and did not dare to ask the price.
A few days later, at the orchid exhibition in Dali Prefecture, the two saw this flower again. It was truly extremely lovely, but still for the same reason, they did not dare to ask the price. That day after the orchid exhibition ended, back at the hotel, orchid enthusiast Zhang Xuanping from Pixian said he had bought three seedlings. The two asked him to take them out to look, and when they took them out, the plants Zhang Xianping had bought turned out to be exactly the ones the two had taken a fancy to. When they asked the price, it was not as expensive as they had imagined. These three seedlings had cost Zhang Xianping a total of 24,000 yuan. The two immediately decided to buy a 16,000 yuan share, and Zhang Xianping, being an old friend of the two, agreed at once.
Back in Sichuan, the two discussed it and thought that at such a price, this flower was very cheap. The next day, as soon as they returned to Sichuan, they immediately entrusted a friend to buy up all the remaining 20-plus seedlings of that Yunnan master at the same price. Mr. Wang Jin felt that this flower's white was very much like the color of the moon, and that it was crystal clear, so he called it Yuchan. (Chan refers to its moon color; Changong is another name for the moon, and the toad is also a Chinese auspicious symbol.) The Song dynasty poet Yan Shu wrote in a poem: "It is not necessarily that the plain Chang'e has no regret. The jade toad is cold and clear, the osmanthus alone" ("Mid-Autumn Moon").
Some orchid enthusiasts from Shanghai saw pictures of Yuchan online and specially sent people from Shanghai to introduce it. When they brought it back it was still in bud, and after the flowers bloomed they caused a sensation in the orchid world, which was regarded as a sign of western Chunlan expanding toward the east. Because the beauty of this flower is different from traditional Chunlan, it also had a huge impact on the traditional orchid aesthetics of Jiangnan.
