Cymbidium canaliculatum (Channelled boat-lip orchid)

Bethlea Bell, no rights reserved (CC0) · iNaturalist

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Cymbidium canaliculatum

channelled boat-lip orchid

Orchidaceae Inland and northern Australia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 10–11

Overview

Cymbidium canaliculatum is an evergreen orchid that grows on trees, forming clumps of thick pseudobulbs and rigid, channeled leaves. The leaves are grey-green, leathery, and deeply grooved, 8-24 inches (20-60 cm) long, folding lengthwise into a V-shaped channel that sheds water. Arching to pendulous flower spikes 8-20 inches (20-50 cm) long carry many flowers, each 0.8-1.2 inches (2-3 cm) across. Flower colour varies widely, from green and yellow to brown, maroon, and near-black, often spotted or blotched with red-brown, with a small pale lip marked in purple. Flowering occurs in spring, from August to November in the native range. The orchid roots in the hollows and forks of trees, where leaf litter collects, and tolerates long dry periods by storing water in its pseudobulbs and thick leaves. It grows in inland and northern Australia, in open woodland and along watercourses, in conditions hotter and drier than most cultivated cymbidiums. It is slow to establish and is sensitive to disturbance of its roots.

Native Range

Native to inland and northern Australia, across Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. It grows in the hollows and forks of trees in open woodland and along inland watercourses.

Suggested Uses

Grown by orchid specialists in pots, baskets, or mounted on wood in warm, sunny positions. It suits collections focused on Australian native and drought-tolerant orchids. The long-lasting flower spikes are kept for display rather than cutting.

How to Identify

Identify Cymbidium canaliculatum by its thick, rigid grey-green leaves deeply folded into a V-shaped channel, unlike the flatter leaves of other cymbidiums. Arching to pendulous spikes carry many small flowers in green, brown, maroon, or near-black, usually spotted with red-brown. Its habit of rooting in tree hollows in hot, dry country sets it apart from rainforest orchids.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'4"

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Flowering occurs in spring, from August to November in the native range and in the corresponding spring months in Northern Hemisphere cultivation. Pendulous spikes 8-20 inches (20-50 cm) long carry many flowers that open together over two to three weeks. Flower colour ranges from green and yellow to deep maroon and near-black.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Green, brown, maroon to near-black with red spots

Foliage Description

Grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 6.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

3-5 years to flowering size

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow Cymbidium canaliculatum in bright light with some direct sun in a very free-draining, coarse orchid mix or mounted on wood. It needs warmth, strong air movement, and a dry rest in the cooler months, conditions drier and hotter than most cymbidiums tolerate. Water during the warm growing season and keep it nearly dry while dormant; the thick leaves and pseudobulbs store moisture. It is sensitive to root disturbance and slow to recover from repotting. It withstands heat and drought but is damaged by frost below 32 F (0 C).

Pruning

Remove only spent flower spikes and dead leaves, cutting close to the base. No other pruning is needed, as the orchid grows from pseudobulbs that must stay intact. Old back-bulbs can be left in place to support the clump.