This week’s Orchid Wise Orchid of the Week is… Cym. King Paul
Parentage: This week’s Orchid of the Week is a cross between Cym. Sick King x Cym. Paul Robeson
Registered: 2023
The reason why it’s our Orchid of the Week:
If spots are your thing, then Cym. King Paul absolutely needs to be on your wish list! Not only did this stunning plant claim the title of best hybrid at the RHS London Show in 2024, but it would also stand out dramatically amongst a show bench of standard colours. That alone makes it well worth paying attention to.
Behind this remarkable plant stands Bert Ruiter, who breeds his hybrids out of the Netherlands under the Ruiter Orchids banner. Specifically, Ruiter Orchids is a Dutch nursery specialising in pendulous, arching, spotted, and peloric Cymbidiums.
Bert is, without question, one of the premier Cymbidium breeders in Europe, and the quality of his work speaks for itself. Indeed, those who follow his breeding closely will know that his spotted varieties in particular rank among the finest ever seen — very high praise in an exceptionally competitive field. Beyond the spotted work, Bert consistently pushes boundaries across multiple styles, and consequently, I find myself constantly in awe of what he produces.
Quite simply, some of his creations are true unicorn plants for me.
As for Cym. King Paul itself, after the spots, the bold red lip is a most arresting feature — it commands attention the moment you lay eyes on it! That said, I’ll be honest: spotted Cymbidiums don’t necessarily sit at the top of my personal preference list. Nevertheless, for sheer showiness and that undeniable “look at me” factor, I would absolutely consider adding it to my collection. After all, sometimes a plant earns its place simply by stopping you in your tracks — and Cym. King Paul does exactly that.
Keep following the Orchid of the Week for more of Bert’s wonderful creations in the future!
The above photo has been borrowed from a Facebook post by The Mathers Foundation in the U.K.
Tracing the plant’s heritage, as registered, using Orchid Roots, its primary species ancestors are Cym. insigne, Cym. lowianum and Cym. hookerianum.