How to tell the difference between Chunlan and Huilan? Three key points to correct the method you may be using wrong

Recently a netizen left a message for Haoshe Nongfu, asking how to distinguish Chunlan (Cymbidium goeringii) from Huilan (Cymbidium faberi) when they are not in flower. Haoshe Nongfu previously wrote an article explaining the differences between Chunlan and Huilan. But I have found that in fact many orchid growers still have a misconception when distinguishing Chunlan from Huilan.

When it comes to distinguishing Chunlan from Huilan, many novice orchid growers will say, isn't that simple? Chunlan has short leaves and narrow blades; Huilan has long leaves and wide blades. Is that really so? Today Haoshe Nongfu will tell you that this method often goes wrong.

In Figure 1, the short leaves on the right are Huilan, and the long leaves on the left are Chunlan; in Figure 3, the narrow leaves on top are Huilan, and the wide leaves below are Chunlan. Have your eyes deceived you? If you distinguish Chunlan from Huilan only by leaf length and width, it is very easy to get it wrong. In fact, Chunlan and Huilan really cannot be distinguished this way. So how can you distinguish them better?

Haoshe Nongfu offers you three tips. First, feel the leaves: Chunlan is smooth, with inconspicuous serrations, and the leaf shape is flat. Huilan feels rough, with very obvious serrations, and the leaf cross-section is V-shaped. Second, look at the orchid roots: Chunlan's roots are thinner and smaller than Huilan's, while Huilan's roots are thick and well developed. Third, look at the pseudobulbs: Chunlan's pseudobulb is obviously swollen like a garlic head, while Huilan basically has no pseudobulb.

Netizens, do you know now how to distinguish Chunlan from Huilan? You are welcome to leave your good methods in the comments section.