Aloe-Leaf Cymbidium / Cymbidium Orchid / Boat Orchid

Source Data

The crimson European, or Cercis European, or Judean tree (Lat. Cercis siliquastrum).

A shrub or tree 7-15 m high, with a spherical or tent-shaped crown, often with a curved trunk covered with almost black, deeply fractured bark. Drought-resistant, light-loving. An ornamental plant. It grows slowly, reaches a height of 1-1.5 m in 4-5 years.

The leaves are rounded, obtuse, with a deeply heart-shaped base, 7-13 cm in diameter, on petioles up to 4 cm long, dull green above, glaucous below.

Flowers in bundles of 3-6, in leaf axils on old branches and even on the trunk. The calyx is pink; the corolla is about 2 cm long, bright pink; the petals are purple-pink, the sail is shorter than the wings and boats, strongly narrowed to the base. The stigma is cephalous. The flowers are odorless, but they give a good bribe to bees, especially spectacular during flowering, when its entire crown is covered with purple-pink flowers.

Beans are 7-10 cm long, 1.5 cm wide, flat, with a very narrow wing along the dorsal seam, with 10-14 seeds. Blooms very profusely in late April — early May, before the leaves bloom. It bears fruit in September.

Prefers moderately fertile sandy loam soils, light loam, sand.

USDA Frost Resistance Zone: 6 (-23°C to -18°C).

Instructions

1. Growing Aloe-Leaf Cymbidium / Cymbidium Orchid / Boat Orchid (Cymbidium aloifolium) from seed is a rewarding process. Follow these guidelines for best results.
2. Seed Preparation: Surface sow seeds on well-draining cactus mix. Do not cover seeds — they need light to germinate. Mist gently.
3. Sowing: Surface sow on well-draining cactus mix. Do not cover with soil. Place in bright indirect light at 18–22°C. Keep soil barely moist using bottom watering.
4. Germination: Seeds typically germinate in 2–8 weeks. Keep soil consistently moist during germination. Once seedlings emerge, gradually increase ventilation.
5. Transplanting: Transplant seedlings into individual pots once they have 2–3 pairs of true leaves. Harden off gradually over 7–10 days before planting in final position. Space according to the mature size of the species.
6. Aftercare: Water sparingly — allow soil to dry completely between waterings. Provide maximum sunlight. Protect from frost. Reduce watering to near-dryness in winter during dormancy.
7. Hardiness: Hardiness varies by species and growing conditions. Young plants may need protection from extreme temperatures. Acclimatize gradually to outdoor conditions.

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