An introduction to the characteristics of the Cymbidium lianpan cultivar Shengxiang Die

Shengxiang Die, a fine-leaf Cymbidium lianpan. Its plant form differs depending on whether it has leaf variegation (leaf "butterfly" patterning). Plants without leaf variegation have relatively slender, elongated leaves, a taller growth habit, and an arching, drooping form, with leaves about 30cm long and about 0.3-0.4cm wide. Plants with leaf variegation are shorter and stouter, with leaves only about 20cm long; generally, 3-4 leaves at the center may all show butterfly-like variegation, with a high rate of variegation, rich colorful spots and bright, evenly distributed colors. When the degree of variegation is too heavy, the variegated leaves will have scorched tips in the later stage of growth, but usually the entire leaf will not scorch; instead, it gradually reverts to a normal leaf.

A Cymbidium lianpan leaf-variegated three-star butterfly. It usually bears about 3 flowers, and the flower scape is relatively tall, almost equal to the height of the foliage. Because the leaf posture is relatively upright-slanting and the leaves are slender and graceful, while the flower stalks are of suitable length, the inflorescence is orderly in sequence, with well-arranged high and low positions, and the flowers are symmetrically matched above and below, opening and curving in a lovely way. Therefore, although its flower scape does not rise above the foliage, it still appears graceful and slender, charming and full of movement. The two lateral petals are completely lip-converted, forming a true "three-star butterfly"; the three lips are broad, short and round, and if one does not look at the direction of the column, it is hard to tell which is the "lip" and which is the "petal." The three lips have huge colored patches, deep red-purple in color, distributed in large broken spots on both sides of the throat, setting off each other against the snow-white background of the three lips: the red shows magnificent wealth and good fortune, while the white is pure, elegant and deeply serene. The bases of the three lips clasp tightly together, forming a thick trumpet shape, which fully shows that the stability of this flower's quality is extremely high; from this one can judge that this flower certainly has no risk of "opening inconsistently and losing its form." The outer three sepals of this flower often have one or two sepals showing the same deep red butterfly-like conversion as the lip petals, truly adding brilliance to an already beautiful flower and overflowing with splendor. Looking at the whole flower, its foliage has the bearing of fluttering in the wind, its flower has a dazzling, luxurious posture, and its charm carries an auspicious, profound meaning. If one obtains this flower, it is like attaining good fortune in a prosperous age. From this it can be seen that Shengxiang Die ranks among the finest Cymbidium lianpan, truly deserving its reputation and fully worthy of it.