Introduction to the Snowman Baojisu Cymbidium tortisepalum Variety

It was not until 2002 that Mr. Cai Shaobin of the Dali Qilin Orchid Garden, after careful selection, named a wide-leaf Cymbidium tortisepalum lotus-petal plain-flower variety first cultivated at his orchid garden at the end of 1993 "Baojisu," abbreviated as "Baoji."

 This orchid is a representative variety of wide-leaf plain-heart Cymbidium tortisepalum; its leaves are broad, thick and upright with considerable inner strength; it blooms from January to February each year, with three to four flowers; the flower lip is large and round, plain and pure white, like the bright moon over Erhai Lake; the flowers are fully plain lotus petals, dignified and elegant, blooming like a flock of jade taking flight together; its fragrance is clear, elegant and far-reaching, stirring thoughts of antiquity; the inflorescence arrangement of the whole pot is well balanced, and among plain-flower Cymbidium tortisepalum, its leaf type, petal type and fragrance type all rank first-class, truly possessing the noble and unsullied temperament of Duan Baoji, outstanding and aloof from vulgar company.

 When the naming of this orchid as "Baoji" spread, it immediately won unanimous recognition from the Dali orchid circles, and the various original names such as "Snowman," "Wide-leaf Lotus-petal Plain" and so on were immediately abandoned. From then on, "Baojisu" became another famous orchid of Dali. Unfortunately, because the number of this flower is too small, it is still at the introduction stage in Dali orchid circles to this day. Moreover, because its blooming period is mistimed, it is rarely seen at national orchid exhibitions over the years; the experience of "Baojisu" as a "good flower much delayed" is like Baoji's rough life, person and flower united as one, to such an extent, making people sigh again and again!