While most commonly known under its synonym of Cym. pumilum, Cym. floribundum (the recognized botanical name for this species) is one of the most important of the miniature species in terms of the development of miniature and intermediate Cymbidiums as we know them. It has a number of synonyms, with the name illiberale also in common usage along with pumilum and floribundum. Flower colour ranges from pure colour green through tan to brown and red. It is a most desirable and appealing orchid in its own right, as the accompanying pictures of two beautifully grown and flowered examples illustrate.

Cym. floribundum is a true miniature in every sense of the word, having foliage between 30 and 45 cm. in length, flower scapes of between 15 and 40 cm long and flowers that range from 2 to 4 cm across. The flowers are closely spaced, with between around one dozen to over three dozen per inflorescence. Cym. floribundum is native to China, Taiwan and Japan and grows in varied habitats, including on rocks in shady gorges, in native pine forests and in sunny open locations. It may be found growing as a semi-terrestrial, or as an epiphyte.

As the pictures illustrate, Cym. floribundum can be a most floriferous species and is a rewarding subject in its own right. It is when it is used as a parent in the hybridising of miniature and intermediate Cymbidiums that its true importance is realized. Its cultural requirements are not demanding, with plants growing happily under the conditions suiting the majority of Cymbidium hybrids. Stephen Early, in his reference work on Cymbidium species, notes that it grows happily under shade house conditions in Melbourne and I have seen this species growing well in shade houses in South Australia and New South Wales, confirming its adaptability.

It's clear that these traits of compact and floriferous habit, good flower counts and variety of colour forms, plus ease and adaptability of culture, suggest Cym. floribundum as an ideal subject for hybridising and its success as a parent proves its value. A check of the RHS registrations shows a total of two hundred seventy-seven (377) registered hybrids using Cym. floribundum, with one hundred sixty-six (166) of those using this species as the pod parent and one hundred eleven (111) as the pollen parent. What is more notable than merely the number of hybrids is the grexes produced, many of them being highly successful Cymbidiums and great parents in their own right.

As pollen parent:

• Beaconfire

• Bedivere

• Celadon

• Celtic Imp

• Dolly

• Fairy Rouge

• Jessie Blakiston

• Jimbo Tupp

• Katydid

• Mary Pinchess

• Mimi

• Minneken

• Minuet

• Morialta

• Nip

• Olymilum

• Pipeta

• Prolific

• Ruby Eyes

• Sarah Jean

• Summer Clouds

• Tom Thumb

As pod parent:

• Cherry Blossom

• Dag

• Doctor Baker

• God Only Knows

• Mini Splendour

• Miss Muffet

• Nancy Maxwell

• Pee Wee

• Pumisan

• Putana

• Tommy

• Wakakusa