Cym. ensifolium

[gixrj18]

Well, I can't take credit for this one. I got it from Royal when it first started it's spike. It has a really strong smell, like air freshener.

[RoyalOrchids]

Nice photos! Gotta love that scent, huh?

[gixrj18]

Yup, it's sitting right next to my desk....I can smell it right now!

[WhiteRabbit]

Very nice!
*wabbit runs outside to check her ensifolium - nope, no spikes*
I hope I can get mine to bloom and experience the fragrance first hand

[Louise]

This is a truly beautiful cymbidium. Great blooming

[smweaver]

Great blooms, Jasen. I love that heady perfume that ensifolium's blooms produce. How many growths does your plant have? Would you mind posting a picture of the entire plant, please?

Steve

[calvin_orchidL]

Gorgeous!

Royal - how do you take care of these? In particular - how do you water them? The pots are too big to dunk properly!

[gixrj18]

Originally Posted by calvin_orchidL

Gorgeous!

Royal - how do you take care of these? In particular - how do you water them? The pots are too big to dunk properly!

After killing a few Cyms, I was told by a grower that if you grow Cyms, set them off to the side of all your other orchids, and just about forget about them. He said they like lots of light and very little water. I was rotting them out by letting them get daily mistings with the other 'chids. I think what I've noticed is.....the bigger the bulb is on a particular species, the less water that they require to flourish. Anyone feel free to correct me on that one.
....and here's a pic of the whole plant, it's in a 5" square pot.

[RoyalOrchids]

I've killed a few Cyms too, this one just grows despite my poor culture. It seems to be pretty heat tolerant too. It's the last one I move inside in Fall and the first one out in spring. It gets a LOT of sun when temps are pleasant and takes the chilly nights perfectly. I try to shade it more (like most of my collection) when temps soar into the upper 90's. Like clockwork, it blooms in July.

Calvin, Like Jasen said, I try to just kind of forget about them. Outside it gets rain, and I'll drench it when it dries but I don't fuss over it. I've grown pieces of this plant in fir bark, CHC mix, and even a mix of equal parts potting soil, peat moss, and pearlite. CHC seemed to be the perfect balance of the two others.

[Cym Ladye]

Comment:

Some here are confusing "water" and "drainage". During the growing season, cyms love water BUT must have good drainage. Drying out cyms during the heavy growth period will result in stunted bulbs and a poor following bloom season. If keeping cyms dry was the way to go, then a friend of mine would not have had his cyms growing totally out of his hydroponic set-up after only two years in the system!

CL