An Introduction to the Characteristics of the 'Yi Fan Feng Shun' Orchid Variety and Its Home Care Methods

Yi Fan Feng Shun (Smooth Sailing) is an auspicious name among the horticultural varieties of Chinese orchids (guolan), most often used to refer to cultivated orchid varieties with upright, well-formed flowers and a clear, delicate fragrance. This name carries people's good wishes for everything going smoothly, and so it is fairly widely circulated and quite popular among orchid-growing enthusiasts. As a Chinese orchid, it is likewise prized mainly for its graceful leaf posture, upright flower scapes and clear, far-carrying fragrance.

In terms of its value in use, this kind of orchid can be placed in a hall or a study to add elegance, and is also often given as a gift flower during the New Year and other festivals, taking its favorable omen of smooth sailing. Traditional Chinese orchid aesthetics value excellence in fragrance, posture, color and charm all at once; the reason Yi Fan Feng Shun draws attention is inseparable both from its overall quality and from its auspicious meaning.

As for care, its habits are similar to those of other Chinese orchids: it likes loose, airy, slightly acidic potting medium, which can be mixed from bark, leaf mold and the like. Day to day it should be kept in a semi-shaded spot with diffused light, avoiding direct blazing sun; watering follows the principle of watering when dry and holding off when wet, while keeping the environment ventilated and the air at suitable humidity. During the growing season, apply light fertilizer frequently; in winter, take care to keep it warm and protect it from cold, and reduce fertilizing.

Propagation is mainly by division, usually done together with repotting; when dividing, keep the vigorous pseudobulbs and roots, and pot them up only after the wounds have dried. Common problems are mostly related to water: watering too frequently easily causes root rot, while air that is too dry or exposure to strong sun easily causes yellowed leaf tips. Diseased leaves should be cut off promptly and ventilation increased.

It should be noted that in the flower market, the name Yi Fan Feng Shun is also often used for the peace lily (Spathiphyllum, Araceae); the two are not the same kind of plant. When buying Chinese orchids, examine the leaf and flower characteristics carefully and confirm the source of the variety, to avoid buying the wrong thing or confusing the two.