Timely bloom of Cymbidium finlaysonianum

Posted on April 30, 2020 by rence chan

It is the height of the dry season in most of the western part of the country. It is also the blooming season of one of the most common Cymbidium species in the country.

The inflorescence of Cymbidium finlaysonianum is pendulous, can reach lengths of over one meter or so, bears up to 30 well-spaced blooms about 5 cm in diameter. This is one of the most commonly seen orchid species, anywhere in the Philippines.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum -pale yellow form

The one featured above is a Cymbidium finlaysonianum grown in our backyard for about 30 years. ( probably given by a distance relative or neighbor). While a smaller form is growing on another Manila Palm ( Adonidia merrillii) for several years was bought from an ambulant vendor some 25 years ago.

The orchid species was originally collected by an Englishman named Mr. Finlayson and Company in Cochin- India in the early part of the 19th century. The species was dedicated to him by Lindley who described the plant in 1832.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum naturalized on a moringa tree (malunggay) Samonte road within Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon, Novaliches, Quezon City.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum naturalized on a narra tree within Quezon Memorial Circle.

Cymbidium finlaysonainum commonly grown in the country had at least 3 to 5 color forms. The common ones have yellowish-brown sepals and petals, and a white labellum with red blotches and two yellow ridges. The flower had a slight fragrance especially during the first few days of its opening.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum and probably Cymbidium atropurpureum naturalized on a kalachuchi tree in University of the Philippines ( Church of Risen Lord chapel) in Diliman, Quezon City.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum naturalized on a coconut palm in Tanza, Cavite province.

brownish pale green form

Another form is the brownish greenish color form found in an old ancestral house in Tanza, Cavite province.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum with large petal and darker color ( photo courtesy of Plantchaser)

There was another dark yellow colored flowering type with fuller petals and sepals collected in the provinces of Nueva Viscaya, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Quezon and Ifugao.

I featured Pozorrubio Orchidarium Farm of Mrs. Remedios “Remy ” Rodis Santelices in 2009 which had a couple of blooming Cymbidium finlaysonianum variety flava ( yellowish form) in Pangasinan.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum variety flava ( photo courtesy of PlantChaser)

The more sought after form was Cymbidium finlaysonianum variety flava or yellowish sepals and petals with pure white labellum. I think i have seen some being sold before in Pangasinan and there are some orchid growers in Metro Manila, Antipolo, Bulacan, Laguna, Davao and Bukidnon regions.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum with Davalia fern in Liliw , Laguna province.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum used to be commonly cultivated in many areas until few years ago when gardeners grew tired of growing these orchid species.

There were a lot of folklore surrounding the growing of this species in many parts of the country.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum grown on tree fern slab in Santa Fe Orchidarium in Nueva Viscaya province.

Timely Bloom

This is a timely season for the blooming of the Cymbidium finlaysonianum, It had rained for almost 8 times and This specimen plant rewarded us with 3 spikes with between 25 to 30 flowers.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum naturalized on Manila Palm within Chapel of the Holy Sacrifice within University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum featured by Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPOST) in 2004

Cymbidium Species

There were at least 11 known species with some color variations found in the country and is divided into epiphytes /lithophytes and terrestrial growing.

Cymbidium aloifolium, Cymbidium atropurpureum, Cymbidium chloranthum and Cymbidium finlaysonianum, Cymbidium bicolor Lindl. subsp pubescens. which are found growing on trees, while i have seen some orchid grown or mounted on rocks, man-made grottoes, adobe rock or even on hollow block walls.

We got Cymbidium finlaysonianum and Cymbidium atropurpureum grown on a Manila Palm for several decades.

Cymbidium aliciae, Cymbidium dayanum,Cymbidium cyperifolium, Cymbidium ensifolium subsp. haematodes , Cymbidium lancifolium, Cymbidium macrorhizon are classified as terrestrial.

While Cymbidium macrorhizon had a special relationship with symbiotic fungus, the only time it is ever seen is when it flowers.

Bibliographies and Sources:

Plant Chaser

Personal communication with growers

Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology ( issue June 2007) : http://asbp.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/907-3032-2-PB.pdf

The Complete Writings on Philippine Orchids Vol 1 Quisumbing 1981; The Complete Writings on Philippine Orchids Vol 2 Quisumbing 1981 drawing

Second Print 1982, Manila pages, 86 to 91: Davis S. Reg and Steiner Mona Lisa: Philippine Orchids ” A detailed Treatment of Some One Hundred Native Species” printed by M& L Licudine Enterprises, Dongalo, Parañaque, Philippines

Orchidiana Philipiniana Vol 1 Valmayor 1984

The Orchids of the Philippines Cootes 2001

Teo, Chris K. H. Cymbidium Pages, 44 to 49; Native Orchids of Peninsular Malaysia 1985, 2001, Times Media Private Unlimited.

Filed under: Orchids | Tagged: Adonidia merrillii, Cymbidium aliofolium, Cymbidium atropurpureum, Cymbidium finlaysonianum, Cymbidium finlaysonianum variety flava, Manila palm, Mrs. Remedios Remy Rodis Santileces, Novaliches, Nueva Viscaya, Quezon City, University of the Philippines |

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Kaldee, on May 2, 2020 at 10:02 PM said:

Sir pwede nyo po ba akong bigyan ng lead kung san pwede maka-obtain ng flava or alba variety ng cymb. finlaysonianum?

rence chan, on May 21, 2020 at 2:28 AM said:

Good day and Thanks for visiting this blog ! I saw a specimen Cymbidium finlaysonianum variety flava in an orchid farm in Pangasinan way back in 2009. Since the orchid species is in bloom, it commanded a handsome price tag. Balita ko parang Php 15,000 benta noong owner at isang newbie na Fil-Chinese orchid collector ang nakabili. Balita ko nagsara na po ang farm at binenta na noong owner kasi matanda na at wala na daw mag-manage few years ago.

This is more on the flava side kasi yellow with white lip variety.

Meron pong ilang orchid collector na taga- Laguna, Davao, Antipolo at Metro Manila ang mayroon nitong orchid variety pero i do not know kung magkano ang bentahan nila. Sana friendly price.

Ang iba po kasi pinaparami pa nila kasi medyo mabagal lumaki at matagal lumago compared to the ordinary form. kaya they prefer not to sell their stock or collection.

Color Forms of Cymbidium Finlaysonianum and Arrival of Rainy Season – Collectors Connection, on June 17, 2020 at 7:58 PM said:

[…] first specimen Cymbidium finlaysonianum started to send spike late April with 20 flowers and then another spike with 23 flowers bloomed […]

Blooms of Vanda Lamellata in our Backyard – Collectors Connection, on December 31, 2020 at 4:38 PM said:

[…] lamellata, Dendrobium crumenatum ( dove / pigeon orchid), Cymbidium finlaysonianum, Aerides quinquevulnera , Phalaenopsis X Intermedia , Dendrobium anosmum and Dendrobium aphyllum […]

gievir, on January 11, 2021 at 10:46 AM said:

how much is the price of Cymbidium finlaysonianum?

Peak of Summer Bloom of Cymbidium finlaysonianum with 6 spikes in our backyard | Collectors Connection, on May 13, 2021 at 12:52 PM said:

[…] Cymbidium finlaysonianum orchid flowering season tend to peak during the hot and dry season from early March to early June in the western part of the country. But it can vary in some regions of provinces where rainy season would gradually tapers off. […]