How to Appreciate Orchid Inner Butterflies? Detailed Explanation from Lanfengtang Miscellany

Stamen ButterfliesCymbidium goeringiiInner butterflies can be roughly divided into two types: stamen butterflies and petal butterflies. When the petals (petals) are nearly completely lipized, they are stamen butterflies; when the petals are not completely lipized, they are petal butterflies. The flower quality requirements for inner butterflies are also relatively high. Below I will share my views and understanding on the flower quality of inner butterflies.

(1) Petals: For stamen butterflies, the three outer petals should be arranged in three equal parts, and broad petals, thick flesh, and a glutinous texture are also essential. For petal butterflies, it is best to have a standard bloom; broad petals, thick flesh, and a glutinous texture, and they also need level shoulders to look good. The main appeal of inner butterflies lies in the center, but the requirements for the three outer petals cannot be ignored either.

(2) Petals: The petals of stamen butterflies are generally nearly completely lipized, and at the base of the petals there will be side lobes unique to the tongue, and the fetal tone and distribution of spots on the petals are also relatively similar to those on the tongue. However, the backs of the lipized double petals have midribs and bends like those on normal petals, which the tongue does not have. The requirement for petal shape is that the closer to tongue shape, the better; if the difference is too great, it is outside the grade. Petal butterflies generally have double petals in a semi-lipized state. Round and broad petal shape is superior, and cat-ear petals are also very good. There is sometimes one side lobe at the base of the double petals, and the shape and spots of the petals must be symmetrical. If there is no side lobe, and if the petal shape is acceptable and the color looks good, it may still be acceptable, but in terms of grade it is outside the grade.

(3) Tongue: Whether stamen butterflies or petal butterflies, the tongue shape is best when broad and round; pointed, narrow, and long ones do not qualify. Because inner butterflies require comparison between the petals and the tongue, the symmetry of the tongue shape and the spots on the tongue is extremely important.

(4) Texture: The three outer petals should have a glutinous texture and thick flesh. If the petals are spread out but have no fleshy substance, the bloom is generally not good.

(5) Grade: Among stamen butterflies, some open facing upward and some open normally. Regardless of the opening method,the flower'sshape and integrity are very important. The three outer petals should be stretched and generous, and must not curl backward or wrinkle; it is best if they are arranged in equal parts, and the petals and tongue should also be arranged in equal parts among the three petals, forming six equal parts. The petal length and the length of the petals and tongue must not differ too much. The petals and tongue also must not curl too much; excessive curling reduces the viewing surface and makes the overall flower shape unbalanced. Petal butterflies are best when the petals are broad and the shoulders are level, and the double petals stand upright to obtain the largest viewing surface. The petals must not turn backward, and the tongue must not hang too long. Whether stamen butterflies or petal butterflies, the more symmetrical, the better: the double petals symmetrical, the petals symmetrical with the tongue, and the spots on the petals and tongue symmetrical. The better the symmetry, the higher the grade. If the petals are wide and the tongue is narrow, or if the petals and tongue differ too much in length, both are outside the grade.

(6) Color: The three outer petals should have good green tone, and the inner petals and tongue should have white fetal tone and red spots, and the color should be vivid and symmetrical. Among Cymbidium goeringii there are also butterfly flowers of other color series, and they too must have bright color and strong contrast to qualify.

(7) Holding: For inner butterflies, the flower holding of petal butterflies is generally slightly better. Because the double petals of stamen butterflies are strongly lipized, they often curl more and more as they open, but there are also stamen butterflies with relatively good flower holding. The flower holding of petal butterflies generally shows more deformation in the outer petals, but there are also those that within a few days of opening have the petals turn back and the tongue hang down.

Among inner butterflies there are also some with multiple petals, multiple petals, and multiple tongues. If their shape and integrity are good, they may qualify. If they can produce many like Yu Hudie, then they should be graded as strange flowers. If they are far inferior and the flower shape is not good-looking, they are all outside the grade.