What is the difference between Cymbidium goeringii and Cymbidium tortisepalum? A quick guide to tell them apart

Cymbidium goeringii, also known as grass orchid, is a type of orchid.

Morphological characteristics: 

The pseudobulb is slightly spherical, with 4-6 leaves clustered together, narrowly strap-shaped, 20-60cm long, in a few cases up to 100cm, 0.6-1.1cm wide, with fine serrations on the edges, flowers solitary, in a few cases 2, the flower scape is upright, with 4-5 sheaths, flower diameter 4-5cm

Light yellow-green, green-white, yellow-white, fragrant, sepals 3-4cm long, 0.6-0.9cm wide, narrowly oblong, with an acute or rounded obtuse tip, tightly edged, with purple-brown stripes at the base of the midvein, petals ovate-lanceolate, slightly curved, slightly wider and shorter than the sepals, with red-brown streaks in the middle of the base, the lip is not obviously 3-lobed, shorter than the petals, the tip recurved or short and hanging down, light yellow in color, with or without purple-red spots, the lip has 2 callus ridges

Flowering period February-March.

Cymbidium tortisepalum is a variety of Cymbidium goeringii.

Cymbidium tortisepalum is often called authentic Sichuan orchid. Although Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan all have famous varieties, the famous Sichuan orchid varieties are the most precious.

Morphological characteristics:

The leaves are strongly upright, the flower stem is upright, 20 to 30 cm tall, with 2 to 5 flowers, sometimes 7, the flower bracts are longer than the ovary plus pedicel; flower diameter 5 to 6 cm, light yellow-green, often semi-transparent, fragrant.

The sepals are oblong-lanceolate, the middle sepal is upright and slightly tilted forward, the lateral sepals spread obliquely to the left and right, the petals are shorter than the sepals, with three purple-red streaks at the base, and the lip tip is blunt and recurved. The leaf posture of Cymbidium tortisepalum is tall and vigorous, exceptionally elegant, and very charming.

Flower colors include red, yellow, white, green, purple, black, and multicolor, brightly dazzling, with a graceful appearance, elegant charm, strong fragrance and pure scent, often highly praised and preferred by orchid growers.

Cymbidium tortisepalum was first treated as a variety of Cymbidium faberi, and later was established as an independent species.

Growth habits:

The suitable growth temperature for Cymbidium tortisepalum is 18-28°C, not exceeding 35°C in summer, not lower than minus 2°C in winter, and the reproductive growth temperature is 8-18°C.

The air humidity requirement for Cymbidium tortisepalum is 55%-70%. During the winter dormant period (when the air is driest), the air humidity should not be lower than 50%, and during the growing period the air humidity should preferably be maintained at around 70%.

Water requirements for Cymbidium tortisepalum: Cymbidium tortisepalum prefers cool conditions, and the potting soil should not be too wet. Water appropriately more during the flowering period and growing period, and water less during the dormant period. Cymbidium tortisepalum is suitable for cultivation in deep cylindrical unglazed clay pots. Its pseudobulbs cluster together in clumps and are elliptical-spherical. Its roots are thick and strong, and both the pseudobulbs and thick roots have a certain water-retention capacity, allowing it to cope with short-term drought of about 6 days.

Light requirements for Cymbidium tortisepalum: The light condition suitable for the growth of Cymbidium tortisepalum is semi-shade. In summer and autumn, about 65%-75% shading is required, and in winter and spring, light can be appropriately increased.

Cymbidium tortisepalum and Cymbidium goeringii have similar habits, can endure cold, and can overwinter smoothly at normal temperatures; in winter they also need sufficient sunlight so that the flower buds are plump and robust.

Cymbidium tortisepalum is suitable for cultivation in spring, and repotting should be done after flowering. If it is a fresh plant, it can be planted before flowering in spring, and flowers can be seen soon after.

The flowering period of Cymbidium tortisepalum is slightly later. Cymbidium tortisepalum has very weak resistance to brown spot disease, and special attention should be paid in summer and autumn. It can be controlled with 50% thiophanate-methyl 800-fold solution or 50% carbendazim 800-1000-fold solution. For this disease, the lesions spread in October-November, and in severe cases the entire plant and entire pot can die, and even if leaf buds emerge the following year they are very weak. Therefore, when diseased plants are first found, the diseased leaves should be cut off in time, and the diseased pots should be isolated.

How to distinguish Cymbidium goeringii from Cymbidium tortisepalum?

1. Cymbidium goeringii is commonly known as mountain orchid, grass orchid, prostrate orchid, and duoduo xiang, and is one of the most widely distributed orchids in China.

  Cymbidium tortisepalum is mainly produced in the mountainous areas of western Sichuan, and is also produced in Yunnan and Guizhou. Cymbidium goeringii and Cymbidium tortisepalum are both spring-flowering varieties and are fragrant. Cymbidium goeringii has 1-2 flowers, while Cymbidium tortisepalum has 2-7 flowers and more flower buds than Cymbidium goeringii, and its flower type is also larger than that of Cymbidium goeringii; the flower color of Cymbidium goeringii in the central and eastern regions is mostly yellow-green and tender green, while in the great southwest, besides yellow-green and tender green, there are also golden yellow and purple-red. The flower colors of Cymbidium tortisepalum are mostly light yellow-green, purple-red, and multicolor.

2. Cymbidium tortisepalum has 4-7 leaves, with acuminate tips, deep green leaf color, slightly glossy, strongly upright, sword-shaped, slightly wider and longer than Cymbidium goeringii leaves, with fine serrations on the leaf margins, rougher and sharper than Cymbidium goeringii leaf teeth, with 3 veins on the back of the leaf, a prominent midvein, and a V-shaped cross-section. The leaf base has no ring (abscission layer).

  Cymbidium goeringii has 4-6 leaves, and the leaf posture is mostly upright leaves, semi-drooping leaves, and drooping leaves, with leaf colors of yellow-green, green, and emerald green. The leaf base has a ring (abscission layer).

3. The orchid head (pseudobulb) of Cymbidium goeringii is spherical, and the roots are fleshy, slender and round, gray-white, while the orchid head of Cymbidium tortisepalum is not obvious, and the roots are longer and thicker than those of Cymbidium goeringii.

4. Cymbidium goeringii and Cymbidium tortisepalum each have famous varieties: for example, Cymbidium goeringii has Song Mei, Jiyuan, Wanzi, Longzi, etc.; while Cymbidium tortisepalum has precious varieties such as Xishu Daoguang, Yinzhuang Su, Xishan Chunjian Su, and Lingbo Xianzi.