Few plants evoke visions of tropics than orchids. Their alluring, yet strange, gnarled roots, variety of leaf shapes, and of course, their elegant and extraterrestrial flower forms and limitless colors have inspired plant hunters to risk their lives in search of these exquisite beauties, the obsessive object of their dreams. Once the nature and specific needs of orchids is understood, however, gardeners do not have to be obsessed plant hunters or "orchid thieves" to unravel the orchid mystery and successfully grow these beauties, especially Cymbidium orchids.
Found in far-flung countries such as the Himalayas, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines down to Australia, Cymbidiums grow on erect or arching spikes. Their flowers range from petite-sized to 3-inch beauties in hues ranging from green, white, yellow, pink, orange, red, purple, with contrasting-colored streaks, splashes, and speckles.
