White Jade Orchid - Origin, characteristics and how to grow

Cymbidium mastersii (scientific name: Cymbidium mastersii) is a precious terrestrial orchid with ivory white flowers, yellow throat, fresh fragrance, blooming in late winter - early spring.

White Jade Orchid is one of the rare wild orchid species, standing out with its elegant appearance thanks to its soft, ivory-white petals and gentle, mild fragrance. Cymbidium mastersii is not only loved for its luxurious beauty but also has high collection value for those who are passionate about traditional orchid lines.

If you want to learn more about Bach Ngoc orchid, don't miss the article shared by orchid here, there is a lot of interesting information and experiences waiting for you to discover.

Origin & distribution of White Jade Orchid

Cymbidium mastersii, a Cymbidium orchid, is native to tropical and subtropical Asia and is common in the following countries:

• India, Nepal, Bhutan
• Myanmar, Southwest China, Thailand, Laos
• Vietnam: Northern mountainous provinces such as Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Cao Bang,...

White Jade Orchids were first scientifically described in 1845 by a British botanist named John Lindley, but it was not until the 20th century that they were discovered and widely propagated in Vietnam.

In nature, the White Jade orchid is a semi-forested terrestrial orchid species, often growing in thick humus soil, mossy rock crevices or clinging to rotten tree trunks on the edge of humid forests, under cool tree canopies with scattered light.

Morphological characteristics of the White Jade Orchid

Close-up of the charcoal, leaves and flowers of the White Jade Orchid.

Let's take a closer look at the morphological characteristics of the White Jade Orchid to see why this orchid species has become so rare and loved by orchid enthusiasts.

Body (pseudo-stem) :

• Pseudobulbs are diamond-shaped, about 3 - 5 cm long, 1 - 2 cm in diameter.
• The pseudobulbs grow close together to form clumps, are bright green when young and turn yellowish green when old.
• White jade orchid grows very slowly, only 1 - 2 new pseudobulbs can be produced per year.

Leaves :

• Simple leaves, growing from the top of the pseudobulb
• Leaves are thin, oblong, 40 - 60 cm long.
• Leaves are ivory green or light green
• Leaves are soft, often drooping slightly but not twisted like many other orchid species.

Roots :

• Taproot, aerial
• Young roots are ivory white, old roots are gray.
• Roots are long, strong but not bushy

Flower :

• Flowers grow in clusters on curved stalks.
• The flower stalk grows from the base of the pseudobulb, is 30 - 60 cm long, and has 5 - 12 flowers.
• Flowers are quite large in size from 5 - 6 cm
• The petals are ivory white, the lip is usually creamy yellow or sometimes light purple.
• Petals are thick, round, symmetrical, sepals and petals look similar
• Flowers have a gentle, sweet fragrance
• Flowers bloom in late winter - early spring, January - March, each flower blooms for 15 - 20 days.

How to grow & care for White Jade Orchid

Cymbidium is not an easy orchid to grow for those who do not have much experience. Therefore, below we have shared details on how to grow and care for this orchid most effectively, let's find out now.

How to grow white jade orchid

To help the White Jade orchid take root and grow quickly, you need to pay attention to the selection of varieties, substrates and planting techniques. Please refer to the super detailed instructions shared below.

Choose the best orchid variety :

• Choose healthy seedlings with 2 - 3 stems or more.
• The tree has strong roots, ivory white color, not crushed, no pests or diseases.
• Prioritize choosing purebred breeds to make care easier.

Processing of forest-exploited seeds :

• Wash off any remaining substrate on the roots, cut off damaged leaves and rotten roots.
• Soak the seedlings in a diluted solution of Physan 20 or Ridomil Gold for 15 - 20 minutes to disinfect.
• Hang the orchid roots in a cool place for about 1 - 2 days to let the plant dry completely before planting.

Prepare suitable pot and substrate :

• Planting pot: Choose a terracotta pot or plastic pot with many drainage holes.
• Growing medium : Coconut fiber, shredded coconut fiber, pine bark, charcoal, pumice, dried peanut shells, forest moss,...

White orchid growing techniques :

• Step 1 : Place a layer of charcoal, crushed bricks, and pumice on the bottom of the pot.
• Step 2 : Add another layer of substrate to about ⅓ of the pot, place the orchid root in the middle of the pot, and spread the roots evenly.
• Step 3 : Fill the substrate around the orchid base but do not cover it completely. You can use additional sticks or wires to secure the stem.
• Step 4 : Place the orchid pot in a cool, windy place, away from rain and drafts.

How to care for white orchid

White Jade Orchid will grow strongly, bloom beautifully, and in season if you know how to take care of it properly. And right below are some extremely detailed instructions, don't miss it if you want to own the most impressive beautiful orchid pot.

Planting location:

• Scattered light : 70 - 80% natural sunlight, do not expose orchids to harsh midday sunlight
• Ideal planting location : Should be planted under the canopy of large trees or use a 50% black mesh roof.
• Humidity : Maintain a cool humid environment of about 60 - 80%

How to water :

• Dry season : Water a lot to maintain humidity, can water every day or every other day.
• Rainy season : Reduce watering, only water when the substrate is about 80% dry.

Fertilizer for each stage:

• Growth stage: Fertilize with diluted NPK 30-10-10 + B1 once a month.
• Stem growth stage: NPK 20-20-20 every 15 days, combined with organic fertilizers such as earthworms, goat manure, and decomposed cow manure.
• Pre-flowering stage: NPK 6-30-30 or 10-30-20 every 2 weeks

Proactive disease prevention :

• Orchid with rotten roots: Cut off rotten roots and then treat with Ridomil Gold or diluted Deconil.
• Orchids with leaf spots: Cut off diseased leaves to prevent spreading, then spray with fungicide such as Dithane Score,...
• Orchids have mealybugs and thrips: Use 70-degree alcohol to clean the affected area, then spray Confidor or Supracide to kill pests and fungi.

Tips to stimulate white orchids to bloom in time for Tet

Although white jade flowers usually bloom around January - March of the solar calendar, if you want them to bloom in time for Tet, please refer to some of the following tips.

• At the end of October, start reducing watering to 2-3 times/week, be careful not to let the plant wilt.
• Fertilize with high phosphorus content such as diluted NPK 6-30-30 or 10-30-20 every 10 days, combined with B1 + Atonik to help flower buds differentiate better.
• Create a temperature difference between day and night of 8 - 10 degrees Celsius to stimulate natural flower growth.
• When you see the flower buds sprout, stop watering with flower stimulant, switch to NPK 15-20-25 combined with light organic fertilizer to nourish the flowers, water evenly but avoid waterlogging.
• If you see the flower buds growing too fast (may bloom early before Tet), move the pot to a cool place with little light.
• If you see the flower buds growing slowly, you need to move the orchid pot to a place with more light and water it a lot to stimulate the flowers to bloom faster.

Price of White Jade Orchid updated 2025

Currently, Bach Ngoc orchids (Bach Ngoc ground orchids) are sold at many different prices, depending on the origin, form and place of sale. If you want to buy this ground orchid, please refer to some of the prices summarized below.

• White jade orchid sold by kg: 150,000 - 200,000 VND/kg, usually newly harvested orchids directly from the forest.
• Small white orchid, picked in Kontum: 100,000 - 150,000 VND/part, depending on size
• Beautiful potted white orchid, budding: 230,000 - 300,000 VND/pot

Note :

• When buying, you need to carefully check the origin to see if the orchid is picked from the forest or tissue cultured, potted,... to be able to choose appropriately.
• When buying, you need to check the orchid's condition, such as whether it is budding, has healthy roots, etc.
• Refer to buy from reputable sources to ensure the quality of orchids.

Questions and answers about the orchid Sword White Jade

What month does the white orchid bloom?

Normally, the White Jade orchid will bloom in late winter to early spring, January - March of the solar calendar, coinciding with the Lunar New Year in our country.

Are the flowers of the White Jade Cymbidium fragrant?

Yes, the White Jade orchid has a gentle, pleasant fragrance, most noticeable in the early morning.

Is the White Jade Cymbidium easy to grow?

White Jade Orchid is not too easy to grow but not difficult either, it is at an average level. However, you only need to grasp some basic techniques that we share above to easily "conquer" this precious orchid species.

Beautiful White Jade Orchid Image

Please admire the pure and elegant beauty of the blooming White Jade orchid clusters below to better visualize this rare wild orchid species.

The White Jade orchids are blooming.

Close-up of the White Jade Orchid with its elegant beauty.

A branch of white jade orchid with pure white color.

The beauty of the White Jade orchid shines in the night.

White Jade Cymbidium with white flowers and prominent yellow lips.

A bush of White Jade Cymbidium orchid growing in the wild.

Above, orchid-vn.com has shared all the information about Cymbidium mastersii , including its origin, morphological characteristics, and effective planting and care methods. Hopefully, this knowledge will be useful for those who want to grow this precious orchid species.

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