Detailed Introduction to the Characteristics of the Changhe Holly Orchid (Cymbidium goeringii 'Changhe He') Variety

    Zhu Weihong, an orchid enthusiast from Shengzhou, discovered it in December 2004 on Dongbai Mountain in the Kuaiji Mountain Range. Chen Lianfu named it.

    At the Shengzhou Orchid Exhibition in spring 2005, Changhe Holly was seen for the first time. The orchid pots on display were surrounded by orchid lovers, drawing everyone's attention. At that time, the orchid market was gradually heating up. Suddenly there appeared a new holly-petal flower of the spring orchid (Cymbidium goeringii) of the kind "a holly that cannot be found anywhere," which naturally caused a sensation in the Shengzhou orchid circles! The new holly plant carried the wild air of the mountain forest, and the flower had a delicate, elegant charm. The flower stalk had not risen, and the flowers were almost blooming flat against the pot surface. Even so, the Changhe Holly, with its emerald color and proper form, still attracted the attention of some veteran orchid growers. Everyone was optimistic about the potential of Changhe Holly, and many wanted to introduce it. Those who succeeded were delighted, while those who did not were left sighing. Although starting from 2007, the orchid market crashed dramatically at high prices, orchid prices kept declining, and orchid trading languished. Changhe Holly still circulated among orchid enthusiasts. Some who had been unable to introduce it when prices were high quietly kept an eye out for every opportunity to obtain it.

    What made Changhe Holly widely famous was the 21st China (Kunming) Orchid Expo in 2011. A pot of Changhe Holly submitted for exhibition by Shengzhou orchid enthusiast Qian Hanju bore 5 flowers, with tall flower stalks that almost rose above the foliage, in a tender yellow-green color, with proper petal tips. Although the flower quality was somewhat damaged due to the long journey to the exhibition, it still displayed a harmonious (holly) air. It bloomed lively, fully revealing its charm. It won the gold award, fully deserving the honor.

    Some say Changhe Holly resembles Tianyi Holly, and the outer petals of a fully opened Changhe Holly appear similar to those of Tianyi Holly. However, the fullness of Changhe Holly's center, the thick and vivid U-shaped red block on the lip, and the difference in texture are also clearly evident. For spring orchid holly-petal flowers, the flower forms are mostly similar. Without seeing the actual flower and examining it carefully, it is understandable to mistake them for the same variety.

    To digress a bit, the new cymbidium (Cymbidium faberi) plum 'Yuanxiao', which has won great favor among orchid enthusiasts, was also collected and dug up by Zhu Weihong. For one orchid grower to have such luck in finding flowers is simply a miracle.