Medicinal Use, Flower Trade, Preservation and Mass Propagation Techniques of Cymbidium Orchids—An Overview

Abstract

Cymbidium is an economically important genus in the orchid family (Orchidaceae) that has a pronounced medicinal and ornamental value. Medicinally, the plant is employed as a tonic to treat weakness in chronic diseases, dizziness, eye problems, burns, and wounds, etc. Cymbidiums are highly prized for their graceful flowers and sweet fragrance and are among the top ten most popular cut flowers. They are one of the most important commercial orchid groups and account for 3% of cut flowers in floriculture. Some orchid species in this genus are particularly threatened by excessive harvesting, so conservation measures are needed. Several enthusiastic organizations (e.g., The Cymbidiums Society of America, The Cymbidiums Club in Australia, The Golden Gate Cymbidiums Society, Alameda, CA, etc.) are dedicated to propagating, conserving, promoting, appreciating, and disseminating information about these beautiful and charming orchids. Through organogenesis (direct and indirect) and somatic embryogenesis, extensive propagation techniques for Cymbidiums have been developed to create protocols for synthetic seed production leading to large-scale propagation and long-term ex situ and in vitro conservation. This review highlights the medicinal uses, flower trade, conservation, and massive propagation techniques of Cymbidium orchids.