Miscellaneous Notes from the Orchid Wind Hall, Appraising Immortals (1): Orchid Essays

LongziCymbidium goeringii (spring orchid)In the traditional method for the Narcissus petal type, it is broadly divided into two categories, namely the plum-form Narcissus and the lotus-form Narcissus, but among old cultivars there are also those selected as Narcissus type
Neither plum-form nor lotus-form, but because their petals, sepals and lip are also rather distinctive, they are also included in the Narcissus category. Appraising lotus types is difficult, appraising plum types is even more difficult, and appraising Narcissus types is the most difficult of all. Because among Narcissus petals the combinations of petals, sepals and lip are the most varied, and all requirements are hard to define, so when appraising Narcissus types there are bound to be mistakes and flaws everywhere, and I hope for much correction.

(1) Petals: The outer petals of the Narcissus type combine the rounded tips of the plum type with the openness and closure or long stalk and round head of the lotus type. Regardless of which shape the outer petals take, they must all be thick, waxy, substantial and full of vitality; if the texture is insufficient, it falls outside the grade.

(2) Sepals: The sepals of the Narcissus type are either like those of the plum type or close to them; those with a pouch, a white edge and soft waxiness are superior; those with a shallow pouch or a smooth mouth without a pouch need only be rounded at the tip to also be a fine cultivar; those with relatively tight sepal edges, round heads and waxy texture are also acceptable. But if the sepals are excessively hardened and stuck together, then they are inferior or poor.

(3) Lip: The lip shapes of the Narcissus type also encompass quite a lot, but ultimately the Liu Hai lip and the Ruyi lip are superior, while the round lip, small round lip and spread lip are also fine. If the lip is too long, too pointed, or droops or curls back too much, it falls outside the grade.

(4) Grade: Petals, sepals and lip are all judged superior when thick, waxy and moist in texture, and the bloom must be upright and proper; there are also not many Narcissus types that can open with the five petals separated and still not lose the rounded tip of the flower form.

(5) Holding: Most Narcissus petal flowers, when cultivation technique is on point, can closely resemble plum petals when first opened, but after some time the outer petals lengthen and lose their rounded tips; however, as long as they do not curl back or drop their shoulders, they are a fine grade. If they open with sepals turned back and petals raised, then they fall outside the grade.

The flower forms of the Narcissus type are so varied that they cannot be defined by fixed rules, but ultimately the parts must complement one another and the bloom must have quality for it to have value. If those that meet conditions in a few local respects but have other parts offensive to the eye are also included in this category, then the Narcissus type will no longer be Narcissus.

All of the above is my personal view, for reference only. For any errors or shortcomings, I hope everyone will offer much correction and supplementation. Thank you.