Cymbidium Alexanderi gx

A large-sized, evergreen orchid with linear, dark green leaves up to 90cm long and 2cm wide. Ovoid pseudobulbs covered with basal leaf sheaths carry six to ten leaves. The orchid flowers in early spring on upright or arching stems up to 100cm tall, carrying up to 30 flowers. The flowers are white, pale pink or cream, depending on cultivar, each measuring 7-9cm across. Perhaps the most famous cultivar 'Westonbirt' with large pure white flowers and with pink markings on the lip was originally registered in 1911. It is the first orchid hybrid which was identified a tetraploid - carrying four (instead of two) sets of chromosomes, which set a start to a very successfull history of breeding.