Introducing the Fumei, Erpin Mei, Xiaogai Mei, Huangyan Gaimei, and Changxiu Mei cultivars
Origin: Sichuan. Content: This wild-collected plum-type orchid is one I personally like quite a bit. It circulates among Sichuan orchid enthusiasts, and there should be a certain number of plants in existence; I don't think there are more than a few hundred seedlings, though Lao Wa, He Jiafu, Jia De and others have also sold it online. This plum-type is now called Fumei; it used to be called Xiaogai Mei and so on. Lao Wa said he doesn't much like this flower, saying his doesn't open well, but mine opens consistently. I introduced stock separately from He Jiafu and Jia De, and later confirmed they are the same cultivar; I also shared divisions with Zhuangshi. That's the whole story. Every one of these plum-types I've seen opens nicely, with the center held very well; it's just that the outer petals are a bit slender and long, and a little thin too, though the proportions are fairly natural and square, giving a slight impression of an Yipin Mei with elongated outer petals. It has a ru-yi (wishful) tongue, stands above the leaves, has large flowers, is fragrant, and is easy to grow. When it first appeared last year it was priced as a mid-grade plum-type; I personally think it is worth introducing and has promise.
Origin: Sichuan
Content: This wild-collected plum-type orchid is one I personally like quite a bit. It circulates among Sichuan orchid enthusiasts, and there should be a certain number of plants in existence; I don't think there are more than a few hundred seedlings, though Lao Wa, He Jiafu, Jia De and others have also sold it online. This plum-type is now called Fumei; it used to be called Xiaogai Mei and so on. Lao Wa said he doesn't much like this flower, saying his doesn't open well, but mine opens consistently. I introduced stock separately from He Jiafu and Jia De, and later confirmed they are the same cultivar; I also shared divisions with Zhuangshi. That's the whole story. Every one of these plum-types I've seen opens nicely, with the center held very well; it's just that the outer petals are a bit slender and long, and a little thin too, though the proportions are fairly natural and square, giving a slight impression of an Yipin Mei with elongated outer petals. It has a ru-yi (wishful) tongue, stands above the leaves, has large flowers, is fragrant, and is easy to grow. When it first appeared last year it was priced as a mid-grade plum-type; I personally think it is worth introducing and has promise.
