Timely bloom of Cymbidium finlaysonianum

It is the height of the dry season in most of the western part of the country. It is also the  blooming season of one of the most common Cymbidium species in the country.

The inflorescence of Cymbidium finlaysonianum is pendulous, can reach lengths of over one meter or so, bears up to 30 well-spaced blooms about 5 cm in diameter. This is one of the most commonly seen orchid species, anywhere in the Philippines.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum -pale yellow form

The one featured above is a Cymbidium finlaysonianum grown in our backyard for about 30 years. ( probably given by a distance relative or neighbor). While a smaller form is growing on another Manila Palm ( Adonidia merrillii) for several years was bought from an ambulant vendor some 25 years ago.

The orchid species was originally collected by an Englishman named Mr. Finlayson and Company in Cochin- India in the early part of the 19th century. The species was dedicated to him by Lindley who described the plant in 1832.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum naturalized on a moringa tree (malunggay) Samonte road within Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon, Novaliches, Quezon City.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum naturalized on a narra tree within Quezon Memorial Circle.

Cymbidium finlaysonainum commonly grown in the country had at least 3 to 5 color forms. The common ones have yellowish-brown sepals and petals, and a white labellum with red blotches and two yellow ridges. The flower had a slight fragrance especially during the first few days of its opening.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum and probably Cymbidium atropurpureum naturalized on a kalachuchi tree in University of the Philippines ( Church of Risen Lord chapel) in Diliman, Quezon City.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum naturalized on a coconut palm in Tanza, Cavite province.

brownish pale green form

Another form is the brownish greenish color form found in an old ancestral house in Tanza, Cavite province.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum with large petal and darker color ( photo courtesy of Plantchaser)

There was another dark yellow colored flowering type with fuller petals and sepals collected in the provinces of Nueva Viscaya, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Quezon and Ifugao.

I featured Pozorrubio Orchidarium Farm of Mrs. Remedios “Remy ” Rodis Santelices in 2009 which had a couple of blooming Cymbidium finlaysonianum variety flava ( yellowish form) in Pangasinan.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum variety flava ( photo courtesy of PlantChaser)

 The more sought after form was Cymbidium finlaysonianum variety flava or yellowish sepals and petals with pure white labellum. I think i have seen some being sold before in Pangasinan and there are some orchid growers in Metro Manila, Antipolo, Bulacan, Laguna, Davao and Bukidnon regions.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum with Davalia fern in Liliw , Laguna province.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum used to be commonly cultivated in many areas until few years ago when gardeners grew tired of growing these orchid species.

There were a lot of folklore surrounding the growing of this species in many parts of the country.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum grown on tree fern slab in Santa Fe Orchidarium in Nueva Viscaya  province.

Timely Bloom

This is a timely season for the blooming of the Cymbidium finlaysonianum, It had rained for almost 8 times and This specimen plant rewarded us with 3 spikes with between 25 to 30 flowers.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum naturalized on Manila Palm within Chapel of the Holy Sacrifice within University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum featured by Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPOST) in 2004

Cymbidium Species

There were at least 11 known species with some color variations found in the country and is divided into epiphytes /lithophytes and terrestrial growing.

Cymbidium aloifolium, Cymbidium atropurpureum, Cymbidium chloranthum and Cymbidium finlaysonianum, Cymbidium bicolor  Lindl. subsp pubescens. which are found growing on trees, while i have seen some orchid grown or mounted on rocks, man-made grottoes, adobe rock or even on hollow block walls.

We got Cymbidium finlaysonianum and Cymbidium atropurpureum grown on a Manila Palm for several decades.

Cymbidium aliciae, Cymbidium dayanum,Cymbidium cyperifolium, Cymbidium ensifolium subsp. haematodes , Cymbidium lancifolium, Cymbidium macrorhizon are classified as terrestrial.

While Cymbidium macrorhizon had a special relationship with symbiotic fungus, the only time it is ever seen is when it flowers.

Bibliographies and Sources:

Plant Chaser

Personal communication with growers

Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology ( issue June 2007) : http://asbp.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/907-3032-2-PB.pdf

The Complete Writings on Philippine Orchids Vol 1 Quisumbing 1981; The Complete Writings on Philippine Orchids Vol 2 Quisumbing 1981 drawing

Second Print 1982, Manila pages, 86 to 91: Davis S. Reg and Steiner Mona Lisa: Philippine Orchids ” A detailed Treatment of Some One Hundred Native Species” printed by M& L Licudine Enterprises, Dongalo, Parañaque, Philippines 

Orchidiana Philipiniana Vol 1 Valmayor 1984

The Orchids of the Philippines Cootes 2001

Teo, Chris K. H. Cymbidium Pages, 44 to 49; Native Orchids of Peninsular Malaysia 1985, 2001, Times Media Private Unlimited.

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Interesting Orchids and Plants at Santa Fe Orchidarium, Nueva Viscaya

Interesting flowering plants, orchids, ornamental plants and tree fern by- products can be bought along road side stalls within the town of Santa Fe, Nueva Viscaya province.

roadside stall selling native plants, orchids, ferns and ornamental plants

This is my third time within Santa Fe in Nueva Viscaya province. My first visit was over 10 years ago, when a small group of friends decided to visit an old time native plant seller.

Prices had changed a lot thru the years. Compared to the last visit few years ago, there were less road side sellers. Probably due to the enforcement of DENR regulations and enforcement.

Dendrobium aphyllum which is locally called salome, fairy sanggumay , lesser sanggumay, dainty orchid by backyard growers.

According to a backyard growers, they usually attached the orchid to their mangoes trees or palm trees.

Some of the orchids, ferns and bromeliads were naturalized on large trees, palms and mahogany.

Dendrobium aphyllum ,Billbergia pyramidalis and other native orchids naturalized on a mahogany tree.

Some of the ferns, orchids and plants are not for sale. It is just for presentation and conservation purposes.

Bulbophyllum cephalophorum- This species are found between 600 meters to more than 1,200 meters in elevation Nueva Viscaya, Nueva Ecija, Ifugao, Benguet and possibly Apayao province.

Interesting Orchids and Plants at Santa Fe Orchidarium

anthuriums, aloe veras and ornamental plants were also for sale

One must be careful not to hoard orchids or plants, some of them cannot survive the hot lowland climate of Metro Manila.

Dendrobium aphyllum grown in tree fern slabs

As much as possible to avoid buying tree fern slabs and its by-products, since the tree ferns takes long time to mature and an endangered species by authorities. Although according to the one manning the orchidarium, Most of the tree fern slabs are already dead and thus collected.

Aeridres quinquevulnera with other native orchid species

Another common orchid species sold at the road side plant stalls were Dendrobium crumenatum or locally called dove/ pigeon orchid.

The flowers are fugacious, lasting only between 8 to 10 hours, looks like a flying dove or pigeon when closed.

Wrote a short article on the uses, ethno-botanical uses, superstitious beliefs on this orchid species. This is also widely sold and cultivated in many homes within Santa Fe.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum, Coelogyne species, Dendrobium aphyllum

The most common orchid species sold in Santa Fe were Dendrobium aphyllum, Dendrobium anosmum, Dendrobium crumenatum, Cymbidum finlaysonianum, Brachypeza pallida ,Brachypeza unguiculata, Renanthera storeii, Aerides quinquevulnera, Bulbophyllum, Cirrhopetalum species, Thrixspermum species, Phalaenopsis species among others.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum, Dendrobium amethystoglossum and Renanthera storeii

Pteroceras or Brachypeza longicalcareum and Micropera species

In our brief stop over, we were able to admire these plants and orchids. Some of them are in bloom , while majority of the orchids and plants do not have flowers.

Bibliographies, Sources,References:

CITES: https://www.cites.org/

Personal interview

Manual of Orchids, Stewart 1995

The Complete Writings on Philippine Orchids Vol 1 Quisumbing 1981

Philippine Orchid Review, Volume 15 No. 1 Traditional uses of the Dendrobium Orchids pages 13 to 17. ISSN 1908-871X

Orchids of the Philippines, Cootes Jim, Times Edition 2000

Dining Experience at G&B Restaurant in Nueva Viscaya

G&B Restaurant and Pasalubong Center is located just about a kilometer away from the G&B Pasalubong Center where we bought our buko pie and other pasalubong items.

The restaurant had a spacious parking area with a sitting capacity of between 100 to 120 people at any given time.

G&B signage

The comfort room is also large and clean. G&B Restaurant interior is large with chairs and tables made from local wood. The tissue holder is from local material.

G&B restaurant interior

According to Mr. Jhong the server, The restaurant is one of the few accredited restaurants by the Department of Tourism. There is also a bar area where one can order liquor.

G&B Restaurant

G& B Menu board

The group ordered two specialties of the region and took a quick late breakfast around 10:00 am. We ordered Pancit Cabagan and Pancit Batil-Patung platter which is good to share between 6 to 8 people.

instant chocolate

We think it is a little bit cheaper to order the platter size compared to ala carte which cost Php 85.00 per order. We also ordered instant coffee mix, powdered chocolate and buko juice.

Pancit Cabagan

Pancit Cabagan-local miki noodles with generous mix of vegetables, hard boiled chicken eggs, chopped spring onions leaves, and topped with deep fried pork.  This also comes with chopped onions, calamansi and chili paste.

This originated from the town of Cabagan, Isabela province.  This version did not use pechay, kutchay, hibi ( dried shrimp) and quail eggs. But used hard-boiled chicken egg.

Pancit Batil-Patung– local miki noodles with julienne carrots, cabbage, poach eggs, minced carabao meat and topped with chopped spring onion leaves.  This also comes with batil soup, chopped onions , calamansi and chili paste.

The G&B version had a slight twist from the recipe. This is a good stop over since they have some dishes which are combination of Filipino, Chinese and local favorites.

We are planning to come back and try their other specialties.

G&B Restaurant and Pasalubong Center

Address: Tuao south, Maharlika Highway, Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya 3711

7 Pasalubong Treats from G&B Nueva Viscaya

Our group passed several towns and cities like Santiago city in Isabela province on our way back to Metro Manila.

G&B Pasalubong -Opens 24/ 7

It was a bit overcast with light rain showers over Santiago City, Isabela province.

I Love Santiago City standee

Ms. Lorraine Bersamira Casimiro our companion from Boy Kanin. A native of Nueva Viscaya province, told us that the pasalubong center also specializes in tasty buko pie and other pasalubong treats. The kilometer long stretch is also known as Buko and Pasalubong center.

Gelyne’s Special Bibingka for just Php 70 per box and Jake Mark cassava cake

Another treats were the special bibingka and cassava cake from Gelyne’s and Jake Mark. These are best eaten hot and self life is just two days.

tupig

Nice pasalubong or to go treats are tupig which are commonly sold in streets and peddled by ambulant vendors.  There are several other stores within the national highway that were known for their buko pies like Joyce which are retailed at Php 80 thin crust and Php 110 for thick crust.

7 Pasalubong Treats from G&B

7.) Brownies – Is not to sweet for our taste.

6.) Tarts– Another must BUY pasalubong.

black kutsinta

5.) Black Kutsinta by Raff’s Kutsinta– The black coloring makes this kutsinta stand-out. One can add grated coconut or yema as toppings.

4.) Mango Pie– Try to consume the mango pie as soon as possible. (Php 100 per box)

3.) Ube Pie– This is another specialty of the pasalubong center, Although there were none available during the time we visited the store. (Php 100 per box).

2.)Special Pineapple Pie– Just like the buko pie, This had a think crust and best eaten when hot.

G&B Buko Pie

1.) G&B Buko Pie had a different twist to the usual buko pie which had a think crust. Unlike the ones being sold in Tagaytay , Laguna or Quezon provinces. G&B buko uses thin layers of soft coconut meat or buko/buco with creamy fillings usually condense milk, sugar in between layers.

It used to be sold for just 3 pieces for Php 110.00 way back in 2007. But the prices increased several times. The retail price for their buko pie is ( Php 80 per box). Shelf life of these pie is between 2 to 3 days and best eaten hot.

The first time that i have tasted this delicacy was in 2007 when a friend from Nueva Viscaya brought 6 boxes of these pies as pasalubong.

G&B also had a restaurant and outlet pasalubong center in which the group had a brunch.

G&B Buko Pie
Address : AH 26 Tuao North, Bagabag, 3711 Nueva Viscaya province

Contact: (+63) 78 332-2136

Operations : Everyday 24/7