From: "Leon B*******" <*******@mweb.co.za> Subject: Identification of Cymbidiums. Date sent: Sun, 8 Aug 2004 12:23:24 +0200 Hi I am an hobbyist Cymbidium grower and have various colours but no real name identification. From various books on cymbidiums/orchids one can more or less see similarity but one is always unsure whether it is the same strain. Can you advise me as to the how of identification of the various types. Is there a publication that will help with this. Thank you Leon B . South Africa.

Hi Leon Thanks for your message Identification of the species is relatively easy. A book such as The Genus Cymbidium by Du Puy and Cribb will make this relatively easy. Hybrids, on the other hand, are a different matter. There are many thousands of man made hybrids, and if you lose the label it is virtually impossible to accurately identify from just the flowers. You may be able to get something close, but accurate identification is virtually impossible, other than a few very distinctive plants. This maybe disappointing, but it is better to purchase known named plants and in addition to the visible label, it is also a good idea to put a second in the bottom of the container so you can always have the true name. regards Phil

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