A botanical species of the genus Cymbidium, described by John Lindley in 1859, with a distribution covering Indian Assam, eastern Himalayas in Nepal and Bhutan, western Himalayas, Myanmar, China, and Vietnam. Cymbidium erythraeum prEpiphytic on steep slopes in evergreen forests, open and moss-populated, at altitudes from 1000 to 2400 m, in epiphytic or lithophytic stations.
Accepted synonyms for this species are Cymbidium erythraeum var. flavum (Z.J.Liu & J.Yong Zhang) Z.J.Liu, S.C.Chen & P.J.Cribb 2009; Cymbidium flavum Z.J.Liu & J.Yong Zhang 2002; Cymbidium hennisianum Schltr. 1918; Cymbidium longifolium Lindley 1833; Cyperorchis hennisiana (Schltr.) Schltr. 1924; Cyperorchis longifolia (D.Don) Schltr. 1924.
A small to large-sized species, Cymbidium erythraeum has ovoid, bilaterally compressed pseudobulbs bearing 5 - 9 distichous linear-oblong leaves that gradually narrow towards the tip and are inserted 3 - 6 cm apart on the pseudobulbs.
Flowering occurs from late summer to early autumn, on suberect, almost curved or horizontal stems, in the form of long racemose inflorescences (25 - 75 cm), bearing 5 - 14 fragrant flowers with lanceolate, acute, and triangular bracts. The flowers measure 8 cm in diameter, with greenish or brownish-green petals and sepals, striped with brown and red. The labellum has a white or yellowish-white background color, with a cream callus and a yellow column. The lateral lobes show red venation.
The preferred light intensity for this species is medium to strong, ranging from 15000 to 25000 lux.
Thermally, Cymbidium erythraeum requires temperatures between 18 - 24 °C during the day and 10 - 16 °C at night.
The required humidity is 50 - 60% during summer, and 40 - 50% during winter.
The growing medium and substrate will ensure efficient drainage and have a heavy structure with large granulation, using 60% pine bark with 20+ granulation, mixed with coconut fiber and sand, complemented by 30% peat soil.
It is recommended to change the growing containers only if absolutely necessary – for example, when watering with tap water, which has a high pH, it will be necessary to change the growing medium, usually every 2 years, to maintain a favorable pH of about 5.5 - 6.5. An increased pH will prevent plants from efficiently absorbing nutrients such as iron, leading to leaf discoloration and yellowing. Moreover, such conditions lead to the accumulation of salts from either fertilizer or poor-quality water, accumulating at a much higher rate than the plants can metabolize, ultimately causing root burn. A good indicator for the need to intervene by changing the substrate is the appearance of mycelium and mold in the substrate, rotting or shriveling of new growth or the base of pseudobulbs. The recommended transplanting period is when new growth develops, about 5 cm tall and capable of generating their own roots (March - April).
Watering will be done 1 - 2 times per week, depending heavily on light intensity and temperature. When brightness is high, the substrate will be kept constantly moist, almost wet, and when shaded conditions are present, watering will be reduced to a minimum to prevent root rot.
Fertilization will involve applying diluted fertilizers, possibly granular with slow release, preferring nitrogen and phosphate in the spring period, ideally at least 10 days before the development of new root growth. Non-specific liquid fertilizers can be used, applied weekly or with each watering, respecting a dilution rate of 50% compared to the package instructions. A correct formula consists of equal proportions of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Cymbidium Erythraeum does not require a rest period to stimulate flowering, but it is possible to reduce watering during the winter, provided the substrate does not dry out completely. Fertilization can also be reduced or stopped during this period, returning to the usual routine once new growth appears in spring.
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