Cymbidium 'West Down' (Orchid 'West Down')

Botanical name

Cymbidium 'West Down'

Other names

Orchid 'West Down'

Genus

Cymbidium Cymbidium

Variety or Cultivar

'West Down' _ 'West Down' is a 'minature' orchid with cream flowers marked red on the lip in winter.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Upright

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Colour

Flower

Cream, Flushed red in Winter

Foliage

Green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Mealybugs , Scale insects

Diseases

May suffer from virus.

General care

Propagation

Propagate by seed in spring at 15ºC to 18ºC, or by softwood cuttings.

Propagation methods

Softwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Cymbidium 'West Down' (Orchid 'West Down') will reach a height of 0.45m and a spread of 0.45m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Containers, Greenhouse, Indoor

Cultivation

Keep under glass between 10ºC and 22ºC in filtered light. Feed with specialist orchid food. Spray mist every two weeks when warm to keep humid. Keep tightly roots tightly packed, but re-pot every two years in good-quality orchid compost.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade

Aspect

East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor unheated (H2)

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Cymbidium 'West Down' (Orchid 'West Down')

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Orchidophilus spp.

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

A pest of orchids spreading in trade. Currently absent from the UK and unlikely to establish outdoors. Could cause severe damage to hosts growing in protected cultivation.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Cymbidium 'West Down' (Orchid 'West Down')

Common pest name

Rice leaf nematode; Strawberry crimp disease nematode; White tip nematode; White tip nematode of rice

Scientific pest name

Aphelenchoides besseyi

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Damaging nematode affecting rice crops and strawberry production in warmer climates; could potentially present a threat to strawberry production and ornamental production in protected environments. But modern production practices seem to reduce likelihood of impacts. Pest is also regulated at EU level; which reduces likelihood of entry.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Cymbidium 'West Down' (Orchid 'West Down')

Common pest name

Black scale; Coffee scale; black; Nigra scale

Scientific pest name

Parasaissetia nigra

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Present at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew for in excess of 100 years. Candidate for deregulation.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/