Cymbidium erythrostylum
This small growing cymbidium is native to Vietnam where it grows in cool forests at around 1500m. We find this species very straight forward and reliable with the advantage of flowering relatively quickly from seed.Â
The species is unusual in that it flowers during the summer which is the wet season in its native habitat. This may explain the rather charming habit of the lateral petals that instaed of spreading out sideways lean forward over the top of the column like a little rain hat.
The species is quite variable in the size of the flower and the colour of the lip striping which varies from deep red to scarlet/orange. The white of the flowers is very white and always attracts attention.
We grow the species in our Himalayan greenhouse with a minimum of 7C, wet summers and good light.