Is the Vietnam Cymbidium iridioides worth buying? Is the Meixiang Orchid actually an orchid?

If you are especially fond of orchids, then you cannot miss the "Meihua Orchid" (Cymbidium iridioides) introduced below. With its unique flower form, one glance is enough to make you fall for its beauty! But did you know? On the flower market, most of the so-called Hainan Meihua Orchid are not purebred, but rather the hybrid "Meixiang Orchid" of Meihua Orchid and Ivory White. Today let's talk about this orchid.

Walking into a flower market, I believe many friends are amazed by the spectacular sea of flowers; that dazzling array of colors is all created by nature. But sometimes when viewing flowers, one can also get confused by the various labels from the vendors. Among them, the Meixiang Orchid bred from Meihua Orchid and Ivory White has similar genes, and in appearance both are considered outstanding among orchids. And because Meixiang Orchid carries the genes of other orchids, compared with the purebred Meihua Orchid it is hardier and easier to grow.
Speaking of the Meihua Orchid, it is native to Hainan, China, and Vietnam, mainly distributed in forests or on mountain slopes and valley walls. It likes growing temperatures of around 15 to 30 degrees, but if the surrounding ambient temperature is higher than 35 degrees or lower than five degrees, its growth will stall.

The flowering period is generally from November to December at the end of the year. For light, it likes semi-shade or full sun; in a natural environment it is recommended to grow it under trees or with shade tools, which can avoid direct strong sunlight. At the same time, it also likes humidity between 50%-70%. In summer and when autumn and winter are relatively dry, it is recommended to spray some water mist, or place a water tray around the plant to raise the humidity. But note, do not spray water droplets on the leaves, otherwise it is prone to leaf rot. As for soil, because the Meihua Orchid has fleshy roots, a loose and airy soil substrate is suitable; it is recommended to use sandy soil, iron-containing loose soil, etc.
No plant can do without fertilizer. During the peak growing season of the Meihua Orchid, fertilizer cannot be lacking; it is recommended to use a dilute liquid fertilizer once a month. But note that during the high temperatures at noon in summer and the extreme cold in winter, fertilizing should be stopped to avoid burning the roots.