Close up of Cymbidium kanran "makino", a fall-to-winter flowering species with very fragrant flowers

During my travels to the Far East, I developed a new appreciation for Asian Cymbidium species. Before that time, I, like many Orchid enthusiasts, had a few Asian Cymbidiums in my collection, but these underdeveloped plants were banished to the corner of the greenhouse that was typically reserved for struggling plants. It was not until my "rediscovery" that I came to the realization that the reason my plants were struggling was because I did not understand their needs.

The Cymbidiums species that I observed in Korea, China, Taiwan and Japan became my reference point. They were lush, majestic, strong, graceful and produced sprays of beautiful fragrant blooms. What secrets were the growers using to achieve such beautiful, elegant healthy plants? Certainly with a little work I could recreate those conditions in my greenhouse and achieve the same results? From that point on, it became my passion to unlock the mysteries of the Asian Cymbidium. In every country I visited, I would take some time away from work to go to the countryside to visit the local Orchid growers, discussing growing conditions trying to learn their growing secrets.

From these discussions, I assembled a collection of folklore, scientific facts, and theories for growing healthier plants. Upon my return to the United States, I began applying these theories to my collection of Cymbidium species. And so began my "Rediscovery" that led to a passion for the growing of these unique group of Orchids.