Red Crystal is a crystal-pattern variety among Chinese orchids (guolan) that excels in both flowers and foliage.
Red Crystal usually refers to a category of Chinese orchid (guolan) varieties that carry the crystal pattern trait and tend toward red flowers; it can be found among orchid species such as Cymbidium goeringii (Chunlan), Cymbidium tortisepalum (Lianbilan), Cymbidium ensifolium (Jianlan) and Cymbidium sinense (Molan). The so-called crystal pattern refers to translucent, crystalline patches or stripes that appear on orchid leaves, mostly concentrated at the leaf tips and leaf margins; orchid growers customarily call this glistening, transparent part the crystal head.
In terms of ornamental characteristics, the leaf tissue at the crystal pattern areas often thickens and wrinkles, and the leaves twist and undulate accordingly, giving the plant a compact, sturdy and well-proportioned form. When it blooms, the red flowers and the translucent leaf pattern set each other off, making it a fine choice for enjoying both foliage and flowers. In orchid appreciation, the crystal pattern, like dwarf varieties and variegated-pattern types, is a type of leaf pattern that attracts considerable attention.
For care, Red Crystal has habits similar to ordinary Chinese orchids: it likes a warm, humid growing environment with diffused light, and the potting medium is best loose, breathable and well drained. The crystal head tissue is delicate, so strong direct sunlight and burning from concentrated fertilizer should be avoided; watering should follow the principle of watering when dry and letting it dry between waterings, while keeping the environment ventilated to reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases.
When selecting plants, take care to distinguish crystal heads from disease spots: crystal heads are translucent, glossy and even in texture, whereas disease spots mostly appear yellowed or brownish and dull. Mastering these features helps you choose plants with pure leaf patterns and good growth, which are also more interesting to appreciate day to day.
