Thanh Ngoc orchid - How to grow & care for this precious orchid species

Cymbidium ensifolium is a species of orchid with a graceful appearance, characteristic green color and pleasant fragrance, very popular.

The Thanh Ngoc orchid , also known as the Thanh Ngoc Sword orchid (scientific name: Cymbidium ensifolium), is one of the species of sword orchids that is both beautiful and fragrant and is very popular in Vietnam. With its slender leaves, small, pretty flowers with a strange jade green color and a characteristic fresh scent, this orchid has become a pure and prominent symbol in the world of sword orchids.

In today's article, let's explore with wild orchid the details of the origin, morphological characteristics and how to grow and care for Thanh Ngoc orchids to help you own the most beautiful pots of sword orchids.

Origin & role of Thanh Ngoc orchid

Lan thanh ngoc is one of the four-season orchid lines.

Thanh Ngoc orchid is one of the orchid lines of the Cymbidium genus, with the scientific name Cymbidium ensifolium, the common name in Vietnam is Thanh Ngoc Sword orchid, Fragrant Sword, Four-season Sword (folk name).

This orchid species has a very wide distribution range, present throughout tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, common in the following areas:

• East Asia : China, Taiwan
• Southeast Asia : Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand,...
• South Asia: India, Bhutan, Nepal,...

In Vietnam, Thanh Ngoc orchid is considered a native wild orchid species that often grows in midland and highland mountainous areas such as Lam Dong, Kon Tum, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Son La, Yen Bai,...

In addition to being an ornamental orchid, Thanh Ngoc orchid also has many important values ​​and roles such as:

• It is a precious native orchid because it is a rare fragrant orchid variety.
• Used in the process of hybridizing orchids, especially in mini orchid lines and mutant orchids.
• Mentioned in Oriental medicine, feng shui,...

Morphological characteristics of Thanh Ngoc orchid

Shape of flowers, leaves and stems of Thanh Ngoc orchid.

Let's learn in detail about the morphological characteristics of Thanh Ngoc orchid to see if this orchid species has any different shape and color.

Body (pseudo-stem) :

• Short pseudobulbs, egg-shaped or small diamond-shaped, growing close together in clumps
• Stem height from 2 - 4 cm, diameter from 1 - 2 cm
• Light green in color, with a dry silk shell at the base

Leaves :

• Long, thin leaves that look like sword blades, soft, slightly curved
• Leaves are 30 - 50 cm long and about 0.8 - 1.2 cm wide.
• Each pseudobulb has 4 - 7 leaves.
• Leaves are light green or dark green, slightly shiny, thick leaves, with clear veins.

Flower :

• Flowers grow on flower stalks, flower stalks grow from the base, 15 - 40 cm long, each flower stalk has 3 - 10 flowers.
• Flowers are 3 - 6 cm in diameter.
• Petals are slender, long, symmetrical, and have solid, spotted or striped colors.
• Popular colors Solid turquoise, striped turquoise, light yellow, yellow green
• The flower has a fresh, pleasant and most special fragrance in the orchid genus.

How to grow and care for Thanh Ngoc orchid to bloom in time for Tet

Right below we have detailed instructions on how to plant & care for Thanh Ngoc orchids. If you do not have much experience growing orchids, please refer to it immediately.

How to grow Thanh Ngoc orchid

If you want to grow Thanh Ngoc orchids properly to help the orchid pots take root soon, grow strongly and bloom on time, please refer to the detailed orchid growing steps shared below.

• Step 1 : Prepare the growing medium for Thanh Ngoc orchid with a mixture of soil, ash, burnt rice husks, light gravel, small pine bark,... or buy ready-made growing medium for orchids sold on the market.
• Step 2 : Choose a plump seedling with no signs of pests or diseases, with intact, uncrushed roots. Then wash the roots, drain completely, cut off the damaged roots, and spray with fungicide.
• Step 3 : Line a layer of substrate about ⅔ of the pot, place the Thanh Ngoc orchid root straight, tip facing up, plant in a stem burst style, do not cover the bulb to avoid pests and diseases.

How to care for Thanh Ngoc orchid from A to Z

To help Thanh Ngoc orchids grow quickly, develop strong roots, bloom beautifully, and in season, you need to pay attention to taking care of them every day. Please note the following basics.

Maintain optimal living conditions :

• Light : Thanh Ngoc is an orchid that cannot withstand strong sunlight, so you only need to maintain 50 - 60% diffused light.
• Temperature : 18-30 degrees C
• Relative humidity : 60 - 80%
• Planting location : Cool place, with light sunlight, avoid rain and strong wind, should be planted under the porch or covered with a layer of black net.

Watering properly :

• Basic principles : Only water when the substrate is about 80% dry, do not water at noon or in the evening, do not water on blooming flowers or flower buds.
• Watering frequency : Water 1 - 2 times/day depending on weather conditions, rainy season, limit watering in winter
• How to water : Use a watering can with a light spray nozzle or a mist sprayer to water the roots evenly.

Fertilizing for Thanh Ngoc orchid :

• Principle : Dilute fertilizer - right type - right time, combine organic and chemical fertilizers, do not overuse.
• Development stage (March - August lunar calendar) : NPK 30-10-10, NPK 20-20-20 diluted with concentration of 1g/1 liter of water, spray evenly on plants every 10 days
• Flower bud differentiation stage (September-November lunar calendar) : Dilute NPK 6-30-30 with a concentration of 1g/1 liter of water to stimulate flower buds.
• Flowering stage (December - January of the lunar calendar) : NPK fertilizer 15-15-30, micronutrients
• Fertilize regularly : Rotate organic fertilizers such as vermicompost, goat manure, decomposed cow manure, humic,...

Disease prevention for Thanh Ngoc orchid :

• Better to cure than cure, keep plants healthy to minimize disease
• Maintain the quality of the growing medium, always clean, airy, and relatively humid.
• Rotate spraying fungicides - bacteria - insects such as Score, Daconil, Physan, Atonik, Confidor periodically every 1 - 2 months.
• Sprinkle lime around the planting area to keep the orchid garden clean, airy, not stuffy, not exposed to rain or strong winds.
• Regularly observe the condition of orchids to detect unusual signs and take timely measures.

Secret to make Thanh Ngoc orchid bloom in time for Tet

To make the Thanh Ngoc orchid bloom in time for Tet, you need a special care regimen. Please refer to some of the following tips to achieve the most satisfactory results.

Flowering preparation stage (September-October lunar calendar) :

• Stop using growth fertilizers with high nitrogen content, switch to fertilizers with high phosphorus and potassium content such as NPK 6-30-30 or 10-30-20.
• Increase lighting for orchids by bringing the orchid pot out to receive direct sunlight for 2-3 hours every day.
• Limit watering, just spray lightly to help flower buds differentiate.

Flowering stage (November - December lunar calendar) :

• Switch to specialized flower stimulants such as NPK 6-30-30 + Atonik + HVP seaweed
• Create a temperature difference between day and night of 5 - 8 degrees Celsius to stimulate flowering.
• Apply the water shock method by stopping watering for 1 week and then watering thoroughly again to stimulate flowering.

Notes when stimulating flowering of Thanh Ngoc orchid:

• If you see the flower buds sprouting early before Tet, move the orchid pot to a shady place to slow down the blooming process.
• If you see the flower buds emerging late, increase flowering stimulation by using low concentration of GA3, combined with increased light to promote flower blooming.

Thanh Ngoc orchid price list

Currently, Thanh Ngoc orchids are sold in the Vietnamese market at quite high prices, ranging from several hundred thousand to several million VND, depending on the variety, size, flower and leaf color. You can visualize more clearly below, we have compiled a detailed price list, let's find out now.

Beautiful orchid pictures

If you have fallen in love with the simple but extremely attractive beauty of Thanh Ngoc orchid, you definitely cannot miss the collection of images that we have shared below, guaranteed to be extremely pleasing to the eye.

Thanh Ngoc orchid with light green color with prominent purple stripes.

The graceful beauty of blue orchid flowers.

A pot of Thanh Ngoc orchid with a slender but very attractive beauty.

A clump of blue orchids is blooming.

The branches of the Cymbidium have a beautiful green color.

Close-up of Thanh Ngoc orchid face.

Through the above article, orchid-vn.com has shared detailed information about Thanh Ngoc orchid - one of the most beautiful, unique and popular Sword orchid lines today. If you like to collect orchids with elegant beauty, pleasant fragrance, and elegant colors, Thanh Ngoc Sword orchid is a perfect choice for you.

Goodbye and see you soon in the next articles of the Blog section to discover more beautiful and famous orchid species!