Cymbidium goeringii 'Xinchunmei': A Fine Variety Profile
Xinchunmei (also called Suzhou Chun Yipin or Caiyun Tonglemei) is a vigorous grower and bloomer: large plants produce large flowers, the flower stalk reaches over 20 cm tall, and the blooms are remarkably grand. Combining the qualities of plum, lotus, and immortal-type flowers, it excels in both flower form retention and color retention, and is well worth admiring!
In today's orchid circles, there are mainly two views on whether Xinchunmei, Tonglemei, and Suzhou Chun Yipin are the same variety: one holds that all three are the same; the other holds that Xinchunmei and Tonglemei are the same but that they are not the same as Suzhou Chun Yipin. I personally lean toward the first view. Xinchunmei leaves are 30-40 cm long and 1.2-1.4 cm wide; the new shoots are quicksilver-red, with bright red tips, and the base of the mature leaf has a petiole. The new leaves are dark green and glossy, with sharp tips, showing a medium-width, pointed-at-both-ends posture, and the leaf stance is semi-pendulous. The outer three petals are broad and large, the main petal forms an upper-cover shape, and the two lateral sepals have character-like brows. The two side petals have pointed tips; the column petals form a pouch with white tips, a shallow pouch soft silkworm-moth petal. If the plant is not strong, it will "slip its mouth" (the white tips disappear). The lip is round and large and hangs down, a large spread tongue, extended straight and not rolled, combining plum, lotus, and immortal forms in one, with a strong fragrance.
