The pure white ones are heavenly, and the purplish-lavender ones define the color 'orchid,' though they come in many other hues, including orange and scarlet. A large, ruffled lip on the flower, often in contrasting color, is a hallmark of cattleyas. Cymbidium Cut flowers of the large-flowered hybrids are second only to those of the cattleya orchid for their popularity in commercial floristry. Miniatures such as 'Showgirl' grow about 2 feet tall and after several years will form a grasslike clump of leaves up to 2 feet in diameter. Above the foliage, upward of a dozen spikes of many flowers grow and will last for up to two months.
Some cymbidiums are fragrant.
Bloom spikes rise from the base of new pseudobulbs matured in the previous growing season. The blooms arise from the tops of new growth matured in the preceding season. These are available in bud or bloom year-round. The evergreen types have magnificent tall, canelike pseudobulbs and sprays of long-lasting, showy flowers in many colors. Oncidium Oncidium plant size varies from miniature to several feet tall.