Cymbidium Rotorua Rose 4N

Cymbidium Rotorua Rose 4N is a tetraploid selection from the Rotorua Rose grex, bred from Cymbidium Vanguard and Cymbidium Red Beauty. The 4N form carries double the chromosome count of the diploid equivalent, producing thicker leaves, more robust growth, and larger, fuller flowers. Spikes are upright and strong, often carrying 10-15 blooms that are deep rose to burgundy with a broad lip marked in darker tones. Flowering occurs in mid to late winter under cultivation, with blooms that last for many weeks.

The enhanced size and substance of the flowers, together with the rich colour inherited from its parentage, make Rotorua Rose 4N a valued pot plant and show cultivar. Its strong architecture and reliable spike carriage distinguish it from the standard form, and it performs well in cool to intermediate climates.

Care Tips

• Light: Provide bright, filtered light; some early morning or late afternoon sun encourages strong spike formation.
• Water: Keep evenly moist during the growing season; reduce slightly after flowering but avoid drying out completely.
• Media: Use a coarse Cymbidium mix such as bark with perlite or charcoal, ensuring good drainage.
• Fertiliser: Apply a balanced orchid fertiliser every 2-3 weeks in growth; switch to a bloom formulation as spikes emerge.
• Temperature: Best grown under cool to intermediate conditions, with nights of 8-12 °C and days up to 25 °C; cool nights assist with flower initiation.
• Repotting: Repot every 2-3 years in spring after flowering, when new growth begins, giving space for further clumping and spike production.