The Toxicity of Cymbidium Orchids

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Cymbidium orchids, also known as boat orchids, are native to tropical Asia and Australia. They are among the more common orchids and come in all colors except true red and blue. They are easy to grow, making them an ideal plant for beginners. These evergreen orchids–meaning they do not lose their leaves in the winter–are known for their thick petals that are hard and waxy.

Toxicity

  • Cymbidium orchids are non-toxic and are actually edible. In fact, these orchids are considered a delicacy, called olachotho, in South Asia’s Bhutan and are part of the local diet. The villagers eat the psuedobulbs with a bit of salt, similar to a potato, and the flowers and leaves are edible as well.

Cooking Cymbidiums

  • One suggested method to cook cymbidiums is to remove the flowers from the stalk and wash them with water. Then boil them in a pot of water to soften them. Drain and add them to a mixture of spices, melted cheese and salt. Cook the mixture for five minutes and serve over rice or pasta or use as a dip. The orchids are bitter so additional spices may need to be added to offset the bitterness.

Contact Dermatitis

  • While allergies to orchids may be rare, there have been reported cases of contact dermatitis from orchids. For example, in 1980, Dr. Bjoern Hausen with the Department of Dermatology at the University Hospital in Hamburg, West Germany, reported the case of a man who developed eczema from handling orchids. Dr. Hausen also reported the case of a woman who developed blisters and lesions, or contact allergy, on both hands after having cultivated cymbidium orchids for several years. People can develop sensitivities to plants so they should be aware if they develop skin problems.

Toxicity to Pets

  • Cymbidium orchids are not listed as a toxic plant for cats or dogs, according to the Cat Fanciers Association. However, it is recommended that animals not be allowed to munch on plants, in general, as ingesting plant materials could cause vomiting or diarrhea.

Pests

  • Pests such as snails and slugs, mealybugs, red spider mites and tiny tick-like insects called scale often attack orchids. In addition, aphids are attracted to the flowers and buds. Use caution when using any insecticide to rid orchids of pests. An insecticidal soap or insecticide with a spreader sticker, which are substances added to pesticides to make them spread and stick to a surface more easily, should not be used on the buds. This could result in deformation of the buds and flowers; however, no toxic reaction to the plant itself has been reported.


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