How to Select Huilan? An Analysis of the Ancient Key Techniques

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The history of ancient Huilan selection spans over 300 years, with the earliest verifiable record being the "Fengqiao Mei" from the Qianlong period. Since then, the phenomenon of valuing Lan over Hui began to change. Through dedicated selection efforts, orchid enthusiasts obtained fewer than 200 traditional named varieties in total, of which only just over 60 survive today. This shows that the selection of fine Huilan varieties is highly standardized and also considerably difficult. The ancient methods for selecting Huilan are excerpted below:

Zhu Kerou once recorded the "Ten Principles for Evaluating Hui," which in essence amounts to "Hui has no outward appearance," meaning one simply selects the best from many; Wu Enyuan said: "Selling Hui flower buds, commonly called 'xia guaizi' (summer). Therefore I have never been fond of buying them." This means it is very difficult to judge the quality of a Huilan from the flower bud alone. Hong Songling and Shen Peilin said in "The True Transmission of Lan and Hui": "For Hui, one finds one in a thousand." The "Five Gates and Eight Forms" and "Shen Peilin's Eight Methods of Hui Bud Head Shapes" left by earlier orchid growers also discuss the morphology of the small buds when the Huilan inflorescence is in the small pailling stage.

"The First Fragrance Notes" says: "Lan sheaths value thinness; Hui sheaths value thickness; in all cases fine and smooth texture is paramount. If the sheath color is lustrous and bright, it is called having water color. Hui sheaths must wrap tightly and be broad and thick, commonly known as 'yuanbao garment sheath' (ingot-shaped sheath), a description by resemblance."

"A Brief History of Lan and Hui" states: "When selecting new flowers, always rely on the sand and halo on the sheath. If there is sand and halo, one may hope for plum-petal (meiban) or narcissus-petal (shuixian) forms. However, flesh and color are most important. What is called flesh is the white dot like a grain of rice at the tip of the sheath or at the flower bud joint; what is called color is the dense, rich green like petals appearing on the sheath. On the sheaths of Chunlan and the small sheaths of Huilan, if one side shows green color and the other does not, the flower will necessarily have a pocket (dou) on one side and none on the other. As for those with pointed tips lacking the white flesh dot, most will open as ordinary flowers. Among Huilan, if it is a upturned-corner plum-petal, it is certainly not a fine variety; this has been repeatedly verified."

"The Mirror of Lan and Hui" says: "The bud grains of Huilan are truly hard to describe, so varied that they are not easily transmitted. In sum, those that are neat and uniform are top-grade; pearl-shaped ones must also have white edging." It also says: "Huilan is unlike spring flowers; its variations are hard to describe. But those shaped like pearl beans or inverted melon seeds are certainly large or small plum petals. If short, broad and clean-bottle-shaped, or polished pointed-cornered, they can also open as plum petals. The only fear is a fine tongue with closed veins inside. If pomegranate-mouth, small clean-bottle, crab-claw head, horse-fork shape, fire-fork head shape, or three-even head, all produce upturned corners. Also, scissors or crescent-moon shape certainly belongs to lotus petals. The buds have countless shapes, too many to record fully. In sum, regardless of form, carefully observe whether the tip points inward; those pointing inward are all superior; those pointing outward are certainly upturned-corner. One must look for the white edging to show through, and for each grain to be neat and uniform for the best. If they are uneven in size, the insect (pest) will likely fly away.

"The Secret Manual of Lan and Hui" says: "Hui sheaths are not uniform; green, white-green, red-purple, pale red, and reddish-green all produce famous varieties. Lotus-form and narcissus forms both have long sheaths with round pointed tips; lotus sheaths emerge in the majority. As for plum petals, they may emerge from magpie-mouth, from round head, or from parrot-beak. As for straight tubes with coarse veins and dull color, none are good flowers." "For all fine varieties of Lan and Hui, the gauze-like veins on the sheath must each run through to the tip, fine, soft and glossy; even on the sheath there are fine veins reaching the top, dazzlingly bright. If the veins are coarse and the color dull, it is undoubtedly an ordinary flower."

"Essential Secrets of Orchid Cultivation" says: "Sheaths may be loose or firm, and one must evaluate carefully; generally the color and complexion must be bright and clear. Thin and soft ones are not much to be preferred; thick sheaths should also have clear color." "Regardless of length, all sheaths can produce extraordinary flowers, but one must select those that are thick and glutinous, for only these are fine specimens; if thin and soft, they are called rotten garments and are not worth taking. However, those that are thick and hard must have bright, clear color to be worth taking. For all large buds of Hui, the lower part must be full and complete for the flower to open properly as a named variety."

"Treatise on Cultivating Hui" states: "When the Huilan is in the pailling stage, if the petals are all curled, this is called 'long fang' (stunted opening); its petals will certainly not be narrow. If it curls on its own, it can open flat and proper when fully open; if it curls obliquely like a rope twisted into strands, it cannot open flat and proper."

Zhu Youren said: "The sheath of Huilan is thick and hard and rich in bright color; it can also meet the conditions for selection." "Generally, lotus-petal sheaths are shorter, while narcissus-petal and plum-petal sheaths are longer."