Analysis of the Reasons for the Superior Growing Environment of Shaoxing Cymbidium goeringii

Authors: Ma Xingyuan, Feng Yangcheng, Ruan Qingxiang, Zhu Mingshui, Yang Deli, Sun Shengli, Qian Maozhu Shaoxing is located southeast of the Qiantang River in Zhejiang Province. In ancient times it was called Kuaiji and Yuezhou, and in the Southern Song dynasty it was named Shaoxing Prefecture. Although its jurisdiction changed over the dynasties, it broadly refers to the area extending east to Cixi County of Ningbo Prefecture, northwest to the Qiantang River, south to Dongyang and Yiwu Counties of Jinhua Prefecture, and southeast to Tiantai County of Taizhou Prefecture. Leaning against the river and facing the sea, it has clear waters and beautiful mountains. The region has continuous mountain ranges, dense forests, a tangle of deciduous trees and weeds, murmuring streams everywhere, frequent fog and dew, ground covered with fallen leaves, and soil that is moist, warm, loose, well-drained, rich in humus, and slightly acidic all year round, making it anorchidideal place for growth. The landforms of Shaoxing belong to the Quaternary sedimentary zone, with complex landform types. To the east is the Cao'e River, to the west the Puyang River, and together with Jian Lake they form three major water systems. To the south stretches the Kuaiji Mountain, connected with the Siming Mountain and the Tiantai Mountain. To the north it borders Hangzhou Bay. The entire city of Shaoxing combines the beauty of plains, mountains and sea. The terrain is low in the northwest, forming plains and hilly areas; and high in the southeast, mostly towering mountains and steep ridges. Kuaiji Mountain is a mountain ridge about 500 m in height; the Siming Mountain has an average altitude of over 500 m, with its main peak at Dongkeng in Shengxian County, Shaoxing City, reaching a maximum altitude of 1021 m. Shaoxingorchidsare distributed vertically.Cymbidium goeringiigrows at an altitude of 300-500 m,Cymbidium faberiat 400-800 m, andCymbidium kanranat 100-500 m, and many also grow together. Because the growing areas are affected by altitude, light, wind direction and other factors, Shaoxingorchidsshow obvious differences in plant size, vigor or weakness, flower color and flower shape, and may even form "variations." Shaoxing's climate belongs to the subtropical humid monsoon climate zone, withfour distinct seasons, abundant rainfall, and a mild climate. The southern mountainous areas have a warm and humid climate with sufficient sunlight and good coordination of light, heat and water. The average annual temperature is about 16.4°C. Summer weather is relatively hot, with July being the hottest month, with an average monthly temperature of 28.9°C and a maximum temperature reaching 40°C; January is the coldest, with an average temperature of 3.4°C and a minimum temperature of minus 10°C. The average annual relative humidity is 81%. Mountain streams murmur and flow continuously. The annual precipitation is 1350-1450 mm. The annual frost-free period is generally around 240 days. Such climatic conditions are most suitable for the growth oforchidflowers, and therefore orchid resources are found throughout the mountainous areas of Shaoxing. The fact that Shaoxing orchids are more delicately fragrant than orchids from other regions is determined by Shaoxing's specific climate. Shaoxing orchids are conceived during the dog days, grow in autumn, and go dormant after the Beginning of Winter. During dormancy, the flower buds go through a cold process of around 0°C; after spring they bloom robustly and are fragrant. Because of this growth characteristic oforchidflowers, sometimes when Shaoxing encounters a warm winter it is not easy for them to bloom, or the already-formed flower buds stop developing; if the winter is too cold, they are also easily frostbitten and become dormant buds. This is why Shaoxing orchids do not easily bloom when moved south or planted north. Shaoxing's soil is mainly yellow earth and brown earth. The land is fertile, with semi-humid forest soil and scrub-meadow soil, and the vast majority of the soil is weakly acidic, with a pH value between 5 and 6. Such soil is most suitable for the growth oforchidflowers, and Shaoxing people call it "orchid mud." According to legend, the mud used for growing orchids in the Qing dynasty imperial palace was transported from Shaoxing. In modern times, the soil used for growing orchids in Beijing's Zhongshan Park was also specially transported from Shaoxing. This "orchid mud" is mainly collected from Qixianqiao Village in Fuquan Township and Zhujiawu Village in Tangdi Township in the Lishu District, which is rich inCymbidium goeringii. According to measurements, the pH value of orchid mud is 5.0, belonging to acidic soil, with organic matter 6.08%, nitrogen content D.266%, available phosphorus 231 PPm, available [reducing substance] 2 PPm, and available potassium 109 PPm. With abundant natural treasures and fine flowers covering the mountains, Shaoxing orchids were generated, multiplied and evolved in just such a natural environment, and were preserved and developed.Cymbidium goeringiiThe birthplace of Shaoxing was endowed by these unique natural conditions with exceptionally rich orchid resources. In particular, since as early as the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the mountain people in the area of Lanzhu Mountain, where orchids were already being collected, made their living for generations by collecting, planting and selling orchids. Their orchid-selling footprints spread across every province and region of the country, and there are many "orchid families." Shaoxing orchids are found throughout the country and abroad and are deeply favored by orchid enthusiasts and the orchid art world, so in Japan, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, China, and many northern provinces and regions, the orchid art world calls orchids and cymbidiums "Shaoxing orchids."