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There are dozens of varieties of Cymbidium
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Cymbidium: ideal indoor plant
THE GENUS Cymbidium includes 50 species of evergreen epiphytic or terrestrial orchids from the tropical areas in India, China, Japan, Australia and Malaysia. The plants have 8-10 narrow to linear leaves. Flowers are borne on long or short racemes from the bases. These are often grown as indoor plants and can produce as many as 30 flowers, each up to (6 cm across) in a single season. Flowers are scented and can be in a variety of colours, ranging from deep brown, to red, pink, yellow, green and white.
Many hybrids have been produced.
Cymbidium Lisa Rose has pendulous linear leaves 75 cm long. It bears up to 12 rose pink flowers, with yellowish white and deep red lips, on upright racemes.
Cymbidium insigne bears upright racemes of white or white flushed pink flowers, with pink spotted lips.
Cymbidium Pontac bears dark red flowers, with red-banded white lips, on long upright racemes.
Cymbidium Strathdon, terrestrial orchid with pseudo-bulbs and linear leaves, has dusky red-pink flowers, 6 cm across, with yellow tips marked deep red and pale pink. These are borne on upright racemes.
Cymbidium flowers from December to June. There are dozens of varieties and all reward you with arching sprays of waxen blooms in a range of colours that last for weeks. Keep the compost nicely moist. Feed with liquid fertilizer when new leaves and shoots form. Keep away from direct sunlight in cool places or window boxes.
CHITRA RADHAKRISHNAN
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