This week’s Orchid Wise Orchid of the Week is… Cym. Mali’s Isle
Parentage: This week’s Orchid of the Week is a cross between Cym. Edward Marshall x Cym. Isle ‘Flamingo’
Registered: 2019
The reason why it’s our Orchid of the Week:
For those who know me well, it comes as no surprise that one of my favourite non-primary hybrids is the wonderful vintage cross Cym. Edward Marshall, registered way back in 1925. Not only do I grow it with great affection, but I also breed with it actively — and frankly, I have a long list of things I still want to do with it!
Given that enthusiasm, it strikes me as quite remarkable that such an interesting and perfumed hybrid sat with just two registered progeny for over 65 years.
Fortunately, however, help arrived from a very welcome direction!
Enter Sundaani Orchids — Based right here in Adelaide, and not too far from where I live as it happens. Over the last decade alone, Pauline has registered a further 11 progeny from Cym. Edward Marshall, effectively breathing new life into this under-appreciated vintage hybrid. Over the coming weeks, I plan to showcase a number of these wonderful results — some of which I’m lucky enough to own myself, including today’s featured plant, Cym. Mali’s Isle.
In terms of presence, Cym. Mali’s Isle certainly doesn’t hold back! A very tall upright spike launches its impressive 12–14cm blooms well above the foliage, and on my young plant alone, that spike already measures 85cm. On a larger, healthier specimen, I have no doubt it would stretch even higher. Admittedly, the sheer size of the flowers does create a somewhat crowded arrangement on the spike — but even so, the overall effect remains genuinely impressive, and this plant stops you in your tracks from across the hall!
Fragrance is always a bonus!
Beyond the visual impact, however, the real bonus lies in the soft, lovely fragrance this plant produces. It’s remarkably hard to put into words, but intoxicating is probably the closest description! Furthermore, the flowers themselves aren’t purely white — instead, a faint green tinge runs through them, making them even more interesting as the lighting conditions change throughout the day. Interestingly, that green tinge may well be the only clearly visible trait passed on by Cym. Isle ‘Flamingo’. My suspicion is that Pauline was actually hoping to transfer some of the peloric characteristics of Cym. Isle ‘Flamingo’ into the cross — and it will be fascinating to see whether future siblings reveal more of that influence.
Finally, tracing the plant’s heritage through Orchid Roots reveals its primary species ancestors are Cym. insigne, Cym. hookerianum, and Cym. tracyanum — three species that together underpin so much of what makes this hybrid both beautiful and enduring.
