Introduction and Appreciation of the Xiaoshan Caimai Chunlan Variety

[Petal Type]: Plum Petal

[History]: Selected by the Cai family of Xiaoshan during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, also known as Caimai Su.

[Characteristics]: The three outer petals have rounded heads, long stems slightly contracting at the base, divided nests with semi-hard central petals, a large round tongue curling backward, the flower color is emerald green, the tongue petal is pure white, and the shoulders are level. The flower scape is tall and slender, the bud sheaths are green, and the leaves droop in the middle, are thick in texture, and dark green without gloss.

According to records, it was selected by Cai Min of Xiaoshan, Zhejiang Province, during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. It was later lost during wartime. During the Xianfeng period, orchid enthusiasts in Ningbo selected a similar variety to replace it. However, its three sepals are slightly narrower than the old variety, the petals are hard, and the flower shape is slightly inferior. The three outer petals have tight edges, level shoulders, and are mostly fully closed central petals (fused with the column core, commonly known as three petals and one nose). The slender stem is tall, and the color is emerald green. When it presents the plum form, the flower shape is slightly smaller and is called Caimai. If it opens as plum-form narcissus, it mostly has five separate petals and a larger flower shape, called Caimai Narcissus; because the lip petal is white-green, it is also called "Caimai Su." This flower goes from robust to thin, and most often opens as plum-form narcissus. After lacking fertilizer, when the orchid plant is thin, it often opens in the plum form; only after applying rich fertilizer can good flower grades open.