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Conservatory Greenhouse

Cymbidium Bolland gx

boat orchid Bolland gx

A medium to large-sized evergreen orchid hybrid. The plant will produce a clump of egg-shaped pseudobulbs, each carrying six to eight linear, medium to dark-green leaves. The leaves are leathery, 80-100cm long and 2-3cm wide. In winter and early spring, arching flowering stems emerge from the base of newest, mature pseudobulbs. Each stem bears up to ten large, waxy, pale cream flowers with pink lip. The flowers are long-lasting, making them very popular with florists

Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Cream Pink Yellow Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter Cream Pink Yellow Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C
Botanical details
Family
Orchidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming, Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus

Cymbidium are epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial orchids with prominent spherical to ovoid pseudobulbs, long linear leaves and fleshy white roots. Several long lasting showy flowers with a distinctive 3-lobed lip are borne on erect or arching flower spikes from the bases of the pseudobulbs

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in an open, free-draining orchid compost with addition of perlite, sphagnum moss or coir. Requires day temperatures around 16°C and 10°C at night. Provide good light levels, but avoid direct sunlight. Water plants thoroughly when compost is almost dry, allow to drain and use orchid fertiliser regularly during growing season. Reduce watering in winter. Place outside in dappled shade during the summer months to aid flower initiation. See cymbidium cultivation for more detailed information

Propagation

Propagation by seed is only possible in a controlled laboratory environment. Mature plants may be divided in early or mid spring, when the plant overgrows its container. Each division should have at least 3 older pseudobulbs with a sufficient amount of stored energy and water, to support new growth and reduce stress after repotting

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Cut flowers
Pruning

No pruning required. Cut down flowered stems to base

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free. Sterilising cutting tools may prevent virus diseases, such as Cymbidium Mosaic Virus (CMV)

Get involved

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