This week’s Orchid of the Week is… Cym. Pauwelsii
Parentage: This week’s Orchid of the Week is a cross between Cym. insigne x Cym. lowianum
Registered: 1911
The reason why it’s our Orchid of the Week:
Time for me to indulge myself again with my favourite topic…….species and primary hybrid plants!
This week’s Orchid of the Week was a lucky find. The plant caught my attention earlier this year in a local collector’s shade house. Interestingly, it was mislabeled but already in flower, so I was immediately able to identify it. Moreover, the grower seemed eager to part with it. Recognising its true identity, I didn’t hesitate and quickly decided to add it to my collection!
This is a very classic version of a diploid Cym. Pauwelsii, and pretty much cannot be mistaken for anything else for those with some experience. The bold red ‘V’ lip is very strong Cym. lowianum and really makes the flower. This plant had a very long 1m upright/arching spike with about 12+ flowers on it. The spike holding the flowers well above the foliage for all to see, courtesy of its Cym. insigne heritage.
Cym. Pauwelsii is not commonly found in cultivation here in Australia, except in the collections of primary hybrid enthusiasts like myself. There are several renowned specimens of Cym. Pauwelsii around the world, which makes me especially thrilled to have one in my collection. Additionally, Cymbidium Pauwelsii boasts an impressive 189 registered offspring, making it an excellent breeding plant offering plenty for orchid lovers to admire. Among its notable progeny are Cym. Erica Sander, Cym. Nam Khan, and Cym. Rialto. Furthermore, it has been recognised with awards from the American Orchid Society, reflecting its historical reputation.
A remake with a twist
I have remade the cross this year, albeit in reverse. In contrast, I have used Cym. lowianum ‘Concolor’ x Cym. insigne ‘Hit the Roof’ in an effort to produce a very different result! Only time will tell, but I have quite the wait now until I will see any flowers!
Cym. Pauwelsii ‘Kessander’
Probably one of the most famous Cym. Pauwelsii plants in the world is Cym. Pauwelsii ‘Kessander’, and a cool story about it can be found here! The image alongside was taken from this website. The plant is now on display in the Chinese Garden at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in California.
Being a Primary Hybrid, the original species ancestors of this plant, using Orchid Roots, shows just Cym. insigne and Cym. lowianum as the species contributors in the background.