Boat orchid 'Ice Cascade' Cymbidium Sarah Jean gx 'Ice Cascade'
ABOUT
Sarah Jean gx 'Ice Cascade' AGM is a miniature cymbidium orchid with numerous pendent, gently arching racemes of long-lasting, slightly fragrant, white flowers to 5.7cm with rounded petals, densely packed along the flower stems
About this plant
NamesFamily
Orchidaceae
Synonyms
Ice Cascade Orchid, Sarah Jean Orchid
Common names
Cymbidium Sarah Jean gx 'Ice Cascade'.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Orchid
Hardiness zones
10
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: The Cymbidium Sarah Jean gx 'Ice Cascade', commonly known as the Ice Cascade Orchid, has cascading blooms that add an exotic and elegant touch to any setting.
- Long-Lasting Blooms: This orchid variety is known for its long-lasting flowers, which can remain in bloom for several weeks.
- Year-Round Interest: Although the Ice Cascade Orchid typically blooms from late winter to spring, its attractive foliage provides interest throughout the year.
- Color Variety: The Ice Cascade Orchid offers a range of colors from pure white to yellow and green, which can blend with different decor styles and color schemes.
- Easy to Care: When provided with the right conditions, this orchid can be relatively low maintenance compared to other orchids, making it suitable for busy individuals or those new to orchid care.
- Improves Mood: Like many ornamental plants, Ice Cascade Orchids can contribute to a calming environment, which may help in reducing stress and improving overall mood.
- Versatility in Use: This orchid can be used in various settings, including as a houseplant, in a greenhouse, and as part of floral arrangements or orchid displays.
- Gifting Potential: Due to their beauty and longevity of blooms, Ice Cascade Orchids make excellent gifts for a range of occasions, from Mother's Day to anniversaries.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Cymbidium Sarah Jean orchids can be used in botanical art and illustration, providing a unique and beautiful subject challenging for artists to capture their intricate patterns and graceful form.
- They can be used as educational tools in botany and horticulture courses, illustrating plant breeding and hybridization techniques due to their hybrid nature.
- As a subject in photography, the Ice Cascade's striking blooms provide an ideal subject for macro photography workshops and contests.
- Ice Cascade can be used in corsages and boutonnieres for weddings and proms, offering a long-lasting and elegant floral accent.
- They might serve as a natural muse for jewelry design, inspiring pieces that mimic the orchid's intricate shapes and vibrant colors.
- Due to their delicate and aesthetically pleasing appearance, they can be used to decorate cakes and pastries for special occasions.
- Plant enthusiasts may use them to create living sculptures or as central elements in terrariums and miniature gardens for artistic displays.
- They can be used as a natural color palette for interior designers, who take inspiration from their varied and striking colors for room designs and home decor.
- Cymbidium Sarah Jean could be used in crafting eco-friendly greeting cards or stationery, by pressing the flowers for their patterns and textures.
- These orchids may be used in the design of float decorations or parade displays, where their robust nature helps them stay vibrant throughout events.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Cymbidium orchid is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Cymbidium orchid is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Love: Orchids, such as the Cymbidium Sarah Jean 'Ice Cascade', commonly symbolize love because of their exotic appearance, suggesting a deep and passionate affection that is both delicate and resilient.
- Beauty: They are often associated with beauty and refinement, reflecting the intricate and elegant blossoms that are characteristic of orchids.
- Fertility: Orchids have long been linked to fertility due to their numerous seeds, making them a symbol of abundance and creation.
- Luxury: Due to their rarity and the association with exotic locations, orchids like the Cymbidium Sarah Jean 'Ice Cascade' can represent luxury and opulence.
- Strength: The orchid's ability to grow in many different climates and conditions symbolizes strength and adaptability.
WaterCascade orchids should be watered thoroughly when the top inch of the potting medium feels dry. This will vary depending on environmental conditions, but typically, watering once a week should be sufficient. Use lukewarm water and pour directly onto the potting medium, avoiding the leaves, until water runs freely from the bottom of the pot. During active growth in spring and summer, you may need to water more frequently, approximately 16 to 32 ounces per week, depending on the size of the pot and environmental factors like temperature and humidity. Reduce watering in the cooler, dormant months.
LightCascade orchids thrive in bright, indirect light. The ideal spot is a few feet away from a south or west-facing window where it will receive plenty of light without being exposed to the harsh direct sunlight that can scorch its leaves. If the light is too low, the plant may not bloom properly. Ensure that it gets consistent light throughout the year for optimal growth and flowering.
TemperatureCascade orchids prefer temperatures between 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate a minimum temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit during the night and should not be exposed to temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit for prolonged periods. An ideal temperature range for this orchid would be daytime temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and slightly cooler temperatures at night, which can help promote blooming.
PruningPrune Cascade orchids to remove any dead or yellowing leaves and spent flower spikes to maintain the plant's health and appearance. Pruning is best done after the orchid has finished blooming, usually in the late winter or early spring. Use sterilized pruning shears to make clean cuts, and selectively prune only what is necessary to encourage the plant to focus its energy on new growth and flowers.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Ice Cascade Orchid thrives in a well-draining mix such as one part bark, one part perlite, and one part peat moss. The pH should be slightly acidic around 5.5 to 6.5.
RepottingIce Cascade Orchids should typically be repotted every two to three years or when the potting medium starts to decompose.
Humidity & MistingIce Cascade Orchids prefer high humidity levels between 40% to 70% for optimal growth.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Ice Cascade Orchid in bright, indirect light, keep warm.
Outdoor
Provide Ice Cascade Orchid dappled sunlight, shelter from extremes.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
Life cycleThe "Ice Cascade" orchid, a variety of Cymbidium, begins its life as a seed, usually propagated by a grower rather than occurring naturally due to complexities in orchid fertilization. Once germinated in a controlled environment, the seedling is nurtured in a growing medium that provides essential nutrients. As the plant matures, it develops pseudobulbs that store water and nutrients, and from these, long, narrow leaves emerge. After a few years, the orchid will reach maturity and produce its first blooms, which are cascading white flowers that remain open for several weeks during the cooler months. Once the blooming period ends, the plant enters a rest period where watering is reduced to allow for a cycle of regeneration. Throughout the orchid's life, it will undergo annual cycles of growth, flowering, and dormancy, with proper care allowing it to live and bloom for many years.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Cymbidium Sarah Jean gx 'Ice Cascade', commonly known as the Ice Cascade Orchid, is best propagated through division, which is typically done after the blooming period ends or when the plant becomes overgrown, usually in the spring. This method involves splitting the plant's pseudobulbs, which are the swollen storage organs from which the leaves and flower spikes emerge. To propagate by division, remove the plant from its pot and gently separate the pseudobulbs, ensuring each division has at least three pseudobulbs with healthy roots attached. Trim away any dead or rotted roots and repot each division into fresh orchid potting mix. This method allows the orchid grower to quickly increase their collection while ensuring the offspring maintain the same desirable traits as the parent plant.
