A Complete Guide to Cymbidium faberi Classification and Appreciation

Cymbidium faberi (scientific name: Cymbidium faberi) is a terrestrial herbaceous plant of the genus Cymbidium in the orchid family. Its roots are relatively thick and short, slightly thicker at the base than at the front end, and unbranched. The pseudobulbs are inconspicuous, clustered together in clumps, and elliptical in shape. The flowers are usually pale yellow-green, with deep purplish-red veins and spots; the flowers typically have a rich fragrance. One stem bears multiple flowers, usually 6 to 12, and is aromatic. Cymbidium faberi is native to China and is one of the orchids cultivated for the longest time and most widely popularized in our country. In ancient times it was often called "hui," which refers to the "hui heart," the center of Chinese orchids, and was often paired with the umbellifer Angelica dahurica under the combined name "huizhi." Cymbidium faberi is a rare species in China and a national second-class key protected wild species. Cymbidium faberi was originally distributed across the vast regions south of the Qinling Mountains, north of the Nanling Mountains, and the southwest, and is one of the more cold-tolerant orchid varieties.

Propagation Methods

Division is usually used for propagation. The best time for division is after the plant has flowered but before the new shoots have grown large, during this brief dormant period. Before dividing, the plant should be dried appropriately, and the operation carried out when the roots have turned slightly white and soft. Vigorous plants are usually divided once every 2-3 years, and each divided clump of orchid seedlings should carry 2-3 pseudobulbs, one of which must be newly formed in the previous year. To prevent wound infection, sulfur powder or charcoal powder may be applied. Leave in a dry place for 1-2 days, then pot separately to form new plants. After division and potting, place in semi-shade and do not water immediately; if the plant appears too dry, spray a small amount of water on the leaves and the surface of the pot to prevent the leaves from drying out, dropping off, and the pseudobulbs from severely shriveling. Water only after new roots have grown from the base of the new shoots. For large-flowered cymbidiums, 2 parts fern root, 1 part charcoal moss, or bark chunks 1.5-2 cm in diameter can be used as potting medium, and some granular material such as crushed brick or charcoal may also be added. Choose tall pots 15-20 cm in diameter, with 2-4 seedlings per pot. Large-flowered cymbidiums prefer higher air humidity; in spring, summer, and autumn, while providing plenty of water to the roots, the leaves should also be sprayed frequently. However, in early spring after flowering, during the brief dormant period of large-flowered cymbidiums, watering must be reduced, and only when the new shoots have grown larger new roots can more water be given. Large-flowered cymbidiums have large plants and luxuriant growth, and require noticeably more fertilizer than ordinary Chinese orchids, so fertilization should be strengthened during the growing season. Generally, fermented cake fertilizer mixed with 1/3 clay, then made into balls about 2 cm in diameter with added water and dried in the sun for later use. Place on the pot surface in spring, at a certain distance from the new shoots, and the fertilizer will slowly release nutrients for the orchid's growth. This can be applied twice a year, a few pellets per pot; fermented liquid farmyard manure can also be applied once every 1-2 weeks; and a 1:1:1 nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer can be sprayed on the leaves and pot surface with a sprayer at a concentration of 3-5%, 1-2 times a week. Stop fertilizing in late autumn. Large-flowered cymbidiums have stronger resistance to pests and diseases than ordinary Chinese orchids, but during growth they are still attacked to varying degrees by various diseases. Therefore, strengthening prevention is an important measure for growing foreign orchids well. Generally, every 10 days, alternately spray both sides of the orchid leaves with a 1000-fold dilution of "chlorothalonil" or "carbendazim."

Flower Colors and Varieties

Cymbidium faberi is traditionally divided by the color of the flower stem and sheath into red shell, green shell, red-green shell, white-green shell, and so on; in flower shape, as with Cymbidium goeringii, it is divided into lotus petal, plum petal, and narcissus petal types; flowers with no other colors and uniform coloration are also called "suxin" (plain heart). Since the petal-type theory emerged, appreciation of Cymbidium faberi has placed special emphasis on the petal type of the flowers, valuing plum petals and narcissus petals most highly; the lip and column are considered best when round, tight, and thick in substance; the outer three petals (sepals) are considered best when broad, round, and of glutinous substance, and most famous varieties are of these petal types. Lotus petals are very rare in Cymbidium faberi, and in recent years some lotus-like petals have been discovered and are also quite popular. The ordinary bamboo-leaf-petal Cymbidium faberi are as numerous as wormwood, and apart from a few brightly colored flower varieties, they receive little praise. The butterfly-petal and rare-flower types of Cymbidium faberi that have appeared in recent years are brilliantly colorful and dazzling, and those with many petals and lips and vivid colors are especially sought after, commanding very high prices. The suxin (plain heart) type is also much loved. Things are valued for their rarity; since Cymbidium faberi mostly has yellow-green flowers, if red, purple, black, or creamy-white-flowered Cymbidium faberi appear, they are also highly prized, with the more vividly colored being better. Those whose petals and sepals are thick, glutinous, and jade-like in substance are also often considered fine specimens. Cymbidium faberi flower stems are thick and large with many flowers, so when appreciating them one should also note whether the arrangement of the flowers along the whole stem is well-spaced and orderly, and whether the fragrance is mellow and beautiful. Those with elegant leaf variegation are also fine specimens; occasionally one sees one possessing leaf variegation, flower variegation, and petal type all at once, and such a plant is especially favored.

Traditional Famous Varieties

The traditional famous varieties of Cymbidium faberi include the Old Eight: Dayipin, Chengmei, Shanghai Me, Guanding, Yuanzi, Ranzi, Panlu, and Dangzi; the traditional New Eight include: Loumei, Cuie, Jipin, Qinghua Mei, Jiangnan Xin Jipin, Duanmei, Cuimei, and Rongmei. Newly developed famous varieties include: Tianjiao Mudan, Sixi Mudan, Luyun Mudan, Yuandong Qidie, Luyi Qidie, Loutai Die, Yingdie, Bubugao, Qunying Huicui, Xianhe Jipin, Jianhu Zhimei, Quanzhou Mei, Cuitao Xianshou, Shidie, Lingnan Baihe, Jinling, Cymbidium faberi crystal flower, Zijuan, Yuewang Mei, Juhuasu, Duoyun, Zheding, Duanhui Mei, Duanxiu Mei, Diecui, Chunhui QianShou Guanyin, and many more.

Introduction to Famous Varieties

1. Dayipin: Petal type: green-shell large lotus-form narcissus petal. History: According to "Lanyan Shulue," selected by Hu Shaomei of Jiashan, Zhejiang, during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty; according to "Lanhui Tongxin Lu," selected by Hu Shaomei in the early Jiaqing period. Characteristics: five petals in separate sockets, emerald green in color, petals upright and of glutinous substance, large soft silkworm-moth column, large ruyi tongue. It is revered as the finest of the lotus-form narcissus petals among Cymbidium faberi and is listed first among the traditional Old Eight of Cymbidium faberi. 2. Jiepei Mei: Petal type: red-shell green-flowered plum petal. History: Selected in the early Republic of China by a person surnamed Zhang in Shanghai. Characteristics: three petals emerald green, tightly edged with short feet and round heads, white jade column heart, large ruyi tongue, slender flower scape. When the flower bud first opens its petals the flower shape is somewhat small, gradually opening larger and larger, with an upright, vigorous flower posture; leaves slender and narrow, bow-shaped, propagates quickly, and blooms vigorously. 3. Duanhui Mei: Petal type: red-shell green-flowered plum petal. History: Selected by Zhu Changsheng of Shaoxing, Zhejiang. Characteristics: outer three petals with round heads, tightly edged, long feet and contracted roots, level shoulders, semi-hard column, large ruyi tongue, upright flower shape, slender flower scape. Leaves semi-drooping. 4. Xianlu: Petal type: green-shell plum petal. History: Selected in the early Republic of China by an orchid grower in Yixing. Also known as Yixing Mei; because the flower shape closely resembles Old Shanghai Mei, it is also called Later Shanghai Mei. Characteristics: three petals with round heads, narrow and long, in separate sockets, ram's-horn pocket column heart, long tongue that does not curl. Some people often pass this variety off as Old Shanghai Mei for sale. Bract leaves green. Often produces plum-form narcissus petals. 5. Lao Jipin: Petal type: green-shell green-flowered plum petal. History: Selected in the Xin Chou year of the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty by Feng Changjin of Gongcheng Garden in Hangzhou. Characteristics: three petals with round heads, long feet and contracted roots, in separate sockets, hard pocket column heart (sometimes occasionally of the split-head closed-back type), dragon-swallowing large tongue, level shoulders. Bract leaves green. Listed among the New Eight of Cymbidium faberi. 6. Guanding: Petal type: red-shell plum petal. History: Selected during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty by the owner of the Wanhe Tavern in Xuguan, Jiangsu, hence also called Wanhe. Characteristics: five petals short and round, bean-shell column, in separate sockets, large round tongue, level shoulders. Leaves broad. One of the Old Eight red-shell Cymbidium faberi. 7. Yuanzi: Petal type: red-shell green-flowered plum petal. History: Selected during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty by an orchid grower in Xuguan. Characteristics: three petals with round heads and long feet, tightly edged, green in color, in separate sockets with semi-hard column heart, level shoulders, zhugui (tablet-holding) tongue, flower scape thick and tall and large; one of the Old Eight red-shell Cymbidium faberi. 8. Lao Ranzi: Petal type: red-shell plum petal. History: Selected during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty by a person surnamed Ruan in Jiashan, Zhejiang. Also called Ruanzi. Characteristics: three petals short, narrow, and deep, level shoulders, in separate sockets with large Guanyin-pocket column heart, large round tongue; sometimes the flowers open imperfectly; the tip of the lip petal is embedded narrow and not spread, upturned or askew, hence popularly called Steelyard-hook-head Lao Ranzi. Flower scape slender and long. One of the Old Eight of Cymbidium faberi. 9. Cuimei: Petal type: red-turning-green-shell plum petal. History: Before the War of Resistance, selected by Cui Yiting of Hangzhou. Characteristics: outer three petals with round and large heads, finely contracted roots, petals thick and glutinous in substance, semi-hard column heart, in separate sockets or split-head closed-back, dragon-swallowing tongue. Green in color, level shoulders. Listed among the New Eight, and also a famous variety of Cymbidium faberi. 10. Chengmei: Petal type: red-shell plum petal. History: Selected during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty by a person surnamed Cheng in Changshu, Jiangsu. Characteristics: three petals tightly edged, short and round, split-head closed-back or socketed column, dragon tongue, flower scape thick and tall and large, leaves broad and bow-shaped. The foremost of the Old Eight red-shell Cymbidium faberi. 11. Zhengxiaohe: Petal type: green-shell lotus petal. History: Selected in Zhejiang before the War of Resistance. Characteristics: outer three petals with long feet, flared corners and contracted roots, mussel-shell column, Liu Hai tongue, green in color. 12. Qinghua Mei: Petal type: green-shell plum petal. History: In 1911 selected by Che Qing, an orchid farmer of Shaoxing, Zhejiang, and sold to Wu Enyuan of Hangzhou; after six years of cultivation it flowered again, at a time when the Manchu Qing dynasty had just been overthrown, and to celebrate, recalling that Che Qing had discovered this flower at the Huaxing Hotel, the person and the place were both commemorated, and it was thus named Qinghua. Characteristics: three petals short-footed with round heads, tightly edged, petals thick, in separate sockets with silkworm-moth column heart, large ruyi tongue, straight-line shoulders. Listed among the New Eight of Cymbidium faberi. 13. Lao Shanghai Mei: Petal type: green-shell plum petal. History: Selected in the early Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty by Li Liangbin. Also called Old Shanghai Mei. Also called Former Shanghai Mei. Characteristics: three petals with long feet and round heads, semi-closed hard column, cheek-piercing small ruyi tongue, flower color emerald green, straight-line shoulders. When in full bloom, the side petals occasionally turn back. Leaves semi-drooping. Flower scape slender and long. Bract leaves green. Listed among the Old Eight. 14. Jiangnan Xin Jipin: Petal type: red-shell plum petal. History: In 1915 brought by Qian Alu of Shaoxing to the home of Yang Ganqing in Wuxi; at the time Yang asked Mr. Rong Wenqing to examine the flower buds and determine that a fine flower variety would surely emerge, after which Yang Ganqing bought it. Characteristics: flower shape similar to Lao Jipin. Three petals with round heads and contracted roots, in separate sockets with semi-hard pocket slightly closed, dragon-swallowing large tongue, level shoulders, slender and long flower scape, with exceptionally fine charm and complexion; listed among the New Eight of Cymbidium faberi. 15. Su Shiba: Produced in the Wudang Mountains, purchased by Dai Xianqin, Shen Xinbao, and others of Shanghai in 1996, and named by Wu Yingxiang upon request. 16. Mingzhou Mei: Also called "Tianwang Hui." Discovered and selected by Ningbo orchid enthusiast Shen Qingfa in the spring of 2000 during the Spring Festival, while visiting friends in the Xianxiang mountainous area, from a batch of mixed grass at a mountain farmer's home. This plant is about 45 cm tall, about 1.2-1.5 cm wide, with blunt-tipped leaves in a dew-catching posture, and a majestic form. The flower stalk is pink at the base with green, round and upright, about 4-5 mm thick, about 50 cm tall and standing well above the leaves. The small flower stalks and inner bracts are purplish-red without green coloration, in the shape of centipede pincers; the flowers are large, up to 6 cm in diameter. The outer three petals are short and broad, with contracted roots, tightly edged, and the petal tips are perfectly round, forming an embracing arch. The shoulders are straight-line but with a slight flying quality; the column, whether soft or hard, does not fall apart even after long opening, and the lower side of the column petal can hold the tongue (root); the tongue petal is shaped like Liu Hai, protruding but not turning back, its length not extending beyond the column petals, and the back of the tongue has no red patch. The column is small like a matchstick, and whether viewed from above or straight on, the column core is never seen even until the flower fades. This variety generally does not bear many flowers; several re-bloomings have all been 7-9 flowers, but the overall arrangement is extremely well-organized, with the spacing between flowers open and evenly divided, and the flowers' orientation viewable from all four sides, altogether worthy of a painting, the overall presence majestic yet dignified.

Grading Standards

Different varieties have different characteristics, and the grading standards differ accordingly, but overall they all follow the grading standards below: Grade A: plant height 80 to 120 cm, 4 to 5 flower scapes, each scape with 15 to 20 flowers. Grade B: plant height 60 to 80 cm, 3 to 4 flower scapes, each scape with 10 to 14 flowers. Grade C: plant height 40 to 50 cm, 1 to 2 flower scapes, each scape with 6 to 9 flowers. They can also be divided by flower diameter into the large-flower series (flower diameter 8 to 10 cm), medium-flower series (6 to 8 cm), and small-flower series (4 to 5 cm).