Botanical species considered as "Chinese cymbidium", together with Cymbidium sinense and Cymbidium kanran makino, Cymbidium ensifolium stands out for its compact port, small size, compared to other Cymbidium species, fragrant, delicate, medium-sized flowers, successive and frequent flowering , and high tolerance to high temperatures, aspects that strongly recommend it for the apartment culture.

The best known synonyms for this species are Epidendrum ensifolium L. (1753) and Jensoa ensata Raf. (1838), but their complete list indicates the numerous systematic revisions to which this species was subjected: Cymbidium albomarginatum Makino 1912; Cymbidium arrogants Hayata 1914; Cymbidium ensifolium f. arcuatum TCYen 1964; Cymbidium ensifolium f. falcatum TCYen 1964; Cymbidium ensifolium f. flaccidior Makino in Y. Iinuma 1912; Cymbidium ensifolium subsp. acuminatum (MAClem. & DLJones) PJCribb & Du Puy 2007; Cymbidium ensifolium var. misericors (Hayata) TPLin 1977; Cymbidium ensifolium var. rubrigemmum (Hayata) TSLiu & HJSu 1978; Cymbidium ensifolium var. striatum Lindl. 1837; Cymbidium ensifolium var. plum TCYen 1964; Cymbidium ensifolium var. xiphiifolium (Lindl.) SSYing 1990; Cymbidium ensifolium var. yakibaran (Makino) YSWu & SCChen 1980; Cymbidium gonzalesii Quisumb. 1940; Cymbidium gyokuchin Makar. 1912; Cymbidium gyokuchin var. arrogants (Hayata) SSYing 1977; Cymbidium gyokuchin var. soshin Makino 1912; Cymbidium kanran var. misericors (Hayata) SSYing 1977; Cymbidium koran Makino 1912; Cymbidium micans Schau. 1843; Cymbidium misericors Hayata 1914; Cymbidium misericors var. oreophilum Hayata 1914; Cymbidium niveomarginatum Makino 1912; Cymbidium prompovenium ZJLiu & JNZhang 1998; Cymbidium rubrigemmum Hayata 1916; Cymbidium shimaran Makino 1912; Cymbidium xiphiifolium Lindl. 1821; Cymbidium yakibaran Makino, Iiinuma 1912; Cymbidium yongfuense ZJLiu & JNZhang 1998; *Epidendrum ensifolium L. 1753; Jensoa ensata Raf. 1836; Limodorum ensatum Thunb. 1784

At least two naturally occurring species are known, namely ssp. ensifolium and ssp. haematodes.

Having a medium size, with thick, hard leaves, it will bloom from the beginning of summer until the end of it, in several stages, as a rule of 3, but cases of flowering during autumn or winter are frequently known. Both Cymbidium ensifolium and Cymbidium sinense frequently present variegated forms, the most common presenting a bilateral marginal golden band, on the limb of the leaf, or areas of longitudinal discoloration corresponding to the disposition of the venation.

The culture of this species of Cymbidium is lost in the mists of the ages, being considered one of the longest-cultivated species of orchids, with the first contemporary mentions of Confucius, around 500 yen. Carl Linnaeus describes the species in 1753 in the monumental work Species Plantarum. Currently, breeders of oriental species, both from China and Japan, prefer these species and their commercial varieties, having at the same time a long tradition in their growth and reproduction, while western breeders are only much more recently starting to introduce the group of Chinese cymbidium in their permanent offers.

Initially included in the subgenus Jensoa, together with Cymb sinense, Cym. Faberi, Cym. goeringii and other similar species, ensifolium represents one of the genera with the most extensive distribution and the greatest variability, being found in Indochina, China, Japan, Borneo, New Guinea and the Philippines, at altitudes varying between 500 and 1800 m. The species inhabits deciduous forests in humid areas, along watercourses, on calcareous substrates, covered with moss, even occupying lithophilic stations. It is uncertain if the natural distribution of the species includes Japan, being much more likely the hypothesis of its subsequent acclimatization through culture.

The general appearance of the plants suggests a medium to small size, they have a terrichous or lithophilic growth, with numerous small pseudobulbs, completely wrapped in the basal sheaths of the leaves, in the number of 3-4 per pseudobulb, presenting a nested pattern. The leaves have a linear appearance, being narrow, acute, sometimes variegated.

The size of Cymbidium ensifolium flowers varies between 5 - 8 cm, being strongly spaced on the erect floral stem, up to 30 cm long, which bears 3 - 8 flowers with less persistence than in the case of classic hybrids, but not less than 2 - 3 weeks. The floral color usually includes mixtures of reddish brown on a light green or yellowish varnish background, but extreme color variations are frequently noted, from compact red-brown to unicolor light green, except for the labellum colored in white, or even completely albino flowers . The relatively modest appearance of the flowers is fully compensated by the subtle and persistent perfume, even strong compared to common cymbidium hybrids. The flowering period will usually be confined to the summer season, a characteristic shared with most of its hybrids, but autumn, winter, even early spring flowerings are also frequently mentioned.

The preference for this species has led to its inclusion as a parent species in many successful hybrids, some of which have even been awarded, among which we mention Cymbidium Super Baby (x Babylon), Cymbidium Chocolate Soldier (x Volcano) and Cymbidium Tender Love (x parishii) , as offspring with direct descent, or even complex hybrids, such as Cymbidium Golden Elf (x Enid Haupt) 'Sundust' HCC/AOS and its tetraploid variant (4n), Cymbidium Korintji (x Rangoon), Cymbidium Giselle (x madidum) , where the 'Ballerina' clone, awarded by the AOS with the mention of HCC, is particularly noteworthy.

From the point of view of growing conditions, Cymbidium ensifolium will prefer locations with 90-95% shade, and temperatures of 23-30 ℃, but can tolerate higher temperatures, if adequate ventilation is provided. The night temperatures in the summer months and until late autumn (August - October) will be at least 10 - 15 ℃ to ensure the initiation of flowering. The optimal temperatures in the winter period will ideally be between 7 - 12 ℃ at night and 18 - 23 ℃ during the day. Most Chinese cymbidium species can survive light frosts, but it is recommended to avoid such situations.

Strong ventilation is one of the key elements in the culture of cymbidium species, from which ensifolium is no exception, its poor quality can lead to the installation of fungal and bacterial diseases, especially botrytis, which will affect the flowers, leading to their abortion.

The growing humidity is recommended to be maintained at values ​​of 40-60% during the winter, and at values ​​as high as possible during the rest of the time, especially in the summer.

Irrigation will be carried out frequently, approximately 3 days apart, even at two-day intervals, in areas with a dry climate. The plants will be kept permanently moist, but without allowing the water to stagnate.

Mixed culture media will be preferred, with good drainage and small graining, which allow the substrate to dry quickly after the administration of water, such as coconut fiber compost with sphagnum moss, small pine bark (3 – 9 mm) and pearlite.

Fertilizations will be administered at intervals of 2 weeks, using a fertilizer with lower values ​​of nitrogen and phosphorus, with an ideal formula of 15-15-30, being able to increase the values ​​of phosphorus intake during the summer.

Changing the pots and the culture medium will be done every 2 years, when the bushes will be divided, keeping groups of at least 3 bulbs.

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