Appreciation Methods and Key Points for Leaf-variegated Plants

Appreciation of Leaf-variegated Types
The white or yellow patches and patterns produced on the leaves of Chinese orchids are called "yi" (variegation).CultivationOrchids appreciated for the changes in the patterns on their leavesorchidsare called "yi orchids" (variegated orchids). According to the standards of Japan and Taiwan, China, there are as many as 35 types of variegation patterns. Each pattern is called one yi; those possessing multiple patterns and spots are called "comprehensive yi," but it is extremely rare for multiple variegation patterns to appear on the same leaf.
Looking across the mainland orchid community, in recent years,orchid growershave gradually broken away from the traditional aesthetic mindset and preferences that focused only on flower variegation while placing little value on leaf variegation. The pursuit and love of stable leaf-variegated orchid lines has become a new trend, with a tendency to heat up. Most orchid enthusiasts deeply hope that the orchids in their hands will one day evolve elegant leaf variegation. In this way, it can add ornamental value and also increase economic value. Leaf-variegated orchids have truly become one of the mainstream directions in Chinese orchid cultivation today.
(1) Green-leaf yi: Those observed during the cultivation process that show no reaction of variegation are called green-leaf yi.
(2) Yunjing (cloud well): Those originally of cultivation value that show promise of producing variegation are called yunjing.
(3) Tiaoyin (striped silver): During cultivation, white silver threads have already appeared in the leaf width, indicating variegation.
(4) Anyin (hidden silver): The variegation of fine silver thread clusters hidden on the leaf surface and underside.
(5) Fuyin (floating silver): The variegation where grayish-white silver thread clusters can be seen with the naked eye, widely distributed across the leaf surface filled with green pigment.
(6) Huidi (gray base): The variegation where silver thread clusters have developed to their extreme, and the original green pigment from the leaf surface to the underside has become pale white or pale grayish-green, with variegation about to emerge on the surface.
(7) Yinse Heyi (silver-color unification): The variegation where silver thread clusters have evolved to their extreme, and the introduced pigment appears unified as one, allowing the direction of variegation to be judged.
(8) Zhongban yi (central patch yi): The variegation where the central vein is bright and the secondary veins produce line variegation.
(9) Zhongban gao yi (central patch stripe yi): The variegation where the central vein is bright and the secondary veins, etc., extend line variegation from the leaf base toward the leaf tip.
(10) Baojin zhao gao (precious brocade claw stripe): Having claw-stripe variegation, with both the front and back of the leaf bearing a rotten base, fine stripes, and vivid pigment.
(11) Zhongtou yi (central transparency yi): The variegation where the central vein is transparent and the leaf tip section remains unchanged green. This green is called the "ganmao" (dark blue cap).
(12) Zhongtou gao yi (central transparency stripe yi): The variegation where the central vein is transparent, the secondary veins produce stripe variegation and there is a ganmao cap, which is called zhongtou gao yi.
(13) Zhongtou xi gao yi (central transparency fine stripe yi): The variegation where the central vein is transparent, the secondary veins produce line variegation and present overall fine line stripe variegation.
(14) Highest yi: The variegation presenting both central patch and central transparency, that is, variegation has extended to the entire surface, with no green pigment remaining.
(15) Super-high yi: The variegation presenting central patch, central transparency and claw stripe all three, that is, the original green pigment is forced out of the leaf body, and the entire leaf presents white, yellow, gray and other colors. Also called Youli.
(16) Yin-yang yi: The variegation presenting central patch, central transparency and claw variegation all three, that is, variegation appears on one side of the leaf while the other side is greenish-purple.
(17) Xiao Saowei (small sweep tail): Those innately possessing leaf-tip variegation are called xiao saowei.
(18) Da Saowei (large sweep tail): Those innately possessing leaf-tip variegation that extends over half a leaf surface (section) or more are called da saowei.
(19) Jinshen Sao (golden body sweep): The variegation where the entire leaf presents rot, either innate or evolved through cultivation.
(20) Fu (rot): Also called hui (gray). Those innately rich in rot, or those that have evolved to present rot through cultivation. Both belong to the variegation of the greatest promise for colored flowers.
(21) Zhao yi (claw yi): Also called bird's beak. The variegation where the leaf tip produces variegation while other parts remain green leaves.
(22) Charu yi (inserted yi): The stripe variegation further evolved from the bird's beak. The variegation where lines are inserted from the leaf tip section.
(23) Kuanzui zhao yi (wide-mouth claw yi): Claw variegation deeper and thicker than the ordinary bird's beak.
(24) Xiao Fulun (small rim): The line variegation on both sides from the bird's beak evolved to the leaf base.
(25) Da Fulun (large rim): The line variegation on both sides from the wide mouth (also called crown yi) evolved to the leaf base.
(26) Zhao gao yi (claw stripe yi): Those bearing a bird's beak and further evolved onto the leaf surface, presenting line variegation, are called zhao gao (claw stripe).
(27) Kuanzhao gao yi (wide claw stripe yi): The variegation where the originally promising crown yi has evolved line variegation. Those with thick lines are called coarse
stripe yi, and those with fine lines are called fine stripe yi.
(28) Guan yi (crown yi): Those that have evolved deep claws through cultivation, with the claw base wide and thick, are called crowns. This is the highest-grade claw variegation.
(29) Guan gao yi (crown stripe yi): The evolved form of crown yi, where the leaf width contains stripe variegation.
(30) Highest crown yi: Among crown fine stripe yi, those containing considerable pigment are the highest-grade variegation.
(31) He yi (crane yi): The highest-grade expression of claw yi, crown yi, etc.
(32) He gao yi (crane stripe yi): The variegation where crane yi has further evolved patch-stripe variegation, each enhancing the other.
(33) Xianming Houtui (first bright then retreat): The variegation where the variegation is vivid when the shoot is small, and retreats back to green leaves upon maturity.
(34) Xian'an Houming (first dark then bright): The variegation where the variegation is dark and pale when the shoot is small, and gradually becomes vivid and bright upon maturity.
(35) Black bird's beak: Those originally green that, after cultivation, present black claw variegation, and those with stripe variegation are black bird's beak or black stripe yi.