Cymbidium lowianum

Cymbidium lowianum is a species orchid native to the montane forests of northern Myanmar, Yunnan in China, and northern Thailand, typically found at elevations between 1,000 and 2,000 metres. It often grows on trees or occasionally on rocks, in areas with high humidity and dappled light, where cool nights and bright days encourage its development. Plants form arching clumps of narrow, strap-like leaves, with inflorescences that cascade gracefully below the foliage.

The flowers are large and long-lasting, usually greenish-yellow with a broad white lip prominently marked in crimson. In its natural range, it flowers in spring and early summer, with each inflorescence carrying many blooms. The characteristic hanging spikes and striking lip pattern have made it an important parent in many hybrid Cymbidiums.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light; tolerates some morning or late afternoon sun.
• Water: Keep evenly moist during the growing season; reduce slightly in winter but never allow the mix to dry out completely.
• Media: Use a coarse, free-draining orchid mix such as bark with perlite or charcoal.
• Fertiliser: Apply a balanced orchid fertiliser every 2-3 weeks in active growth; reduce frequency in cooler months.
• Temperature: Thrives with intermediate to cool conditions, ideally 10-28 °C; requires a marked drop in night temperature to promote flowering.
• Repotting: Repot every 2-3 years after flowering, when new shoots are emerging; allow space for the plant to expand.