Variety Characteristics and Care Methods of the Four Seasons Jiyuan Jianlan

Four Seasons Jiyuan was discovered in Gaoxian, Yibin, Sichuan, and later cultivated by orchid enthusiasts in Zigong. This variety has thick, glutinous-textured leaves in a deep glossy green, with obvious finger marks on the leaf surface, and the tip of each leaf is twisted to varying degrees. The flowers are perfectly formed and well-proportioned, with a strong fragrance and large size, making it a truly worthwhile variety to collect! First, the flowers are large, around 4cm in size, and the fragrance is even stronger than most Jianlan. Second, the flower stems rise slightly above the leaves, creating a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing overall appearance. Third, the floral structure is strong and holds its shape well even as the flowers fade; although the petal edges tend to curl backward, they do not curl much, just a slight upturn. Fourth, the flower color is pure and fresh, without the unpleasant age spots found in Junhe. The flowers of Four Seasons Jiyuan are grand, with large blooms, wide petals, and tall flower stems that rise above the leaves. Its growth rate is somewhat slower compared to some other Sichuan Jianlan varieties, with an annual pseudobulb increase ratio of 1 to 1.3. Among Jianlan varieties, it is considered a relatively slow grower.

The Sijilan Hexian variety originated in Zigong, Sichuan, and was selected and bred by Zheng Xu. In Sichuan, it was originally called Hexian. In 2004, Mr. Lin Weiwen from Xiamen, Fujian, introduced this variety from Sichuan. Since it had no formal name at the time, and because the lotus-type narcissus "Four Seasons Wanzhi," which was also misnamed, was quite famous at the time, Mr. Lin Weiwen, who was relatively familiar with old Cymbidium goeringii varieties, casually wrote the four characters "Four Seasons Jiyuan" on the back of a photograph to distinguish the newly introduced variety. Later, this photograph made its way to Chencun in Shunde, Guangdong, and then into the hands of several Taiwanese orchid enthusiasts, and the name "Four Seasons Jiyuan" unexpectedly caught on.

The outer three petals of this flower have pointed tips, a narrow base and broad angular ends, with large flowers measuring over 4cm, good color, and tall flower stems that rise above the leaves, bearing 3-5 flowers per stem. The inner segments are rounded and held together, with a round lip and round red spots, and a strong fragrance. The leaves are relatively broad and large with a rippling water-wave pattern, and the tip of each leaf is twisted to varying degrees. The leaves are thick with a glutinous texture, deep green and glossy, with obvious finger marks on the leaf surface. The flowers need strong plants to bloom well; flowers from weak plants are mostly deformed.