My terrace smells of coconut

If my memory is not faltering, I bought this plant in 2010 as a small division from the province of Quezon. Prior to this, I have been reluctant to grow this species because of the prevailing common knowledge that this is a species from higher altitudes* and thus will have a very difficult time adapting enough in the lowlands to flower. Indeed, I have not heard of anyone successfully blooming this species within the Metro Manila area (alright, I'm pretty sure that almost as soon after I make that statement, someone will show me a flowering plant from the Metro!), although it can be argued that tropical city climate is more hostile to many orchids compared to more rural areas of similar elevation. Notwithstanding, I attached the plant to a fern slab and attached it using wire to large wooden mount where it gained in size at a moderate pace, although the roots barely attached on the wood. A few years later and the plant surprised me by throwing two inflorescences, followed shortly by two more. Not bad for a medium-sized plant on its first blooming attempt. Photo below shows the same plant on its first flowering, dated May 17, 2013.

Three years ago I moved to my current location and because the roots still haven't attached much to the wood, I opted to remove it as it would be easier to travel it on its own. I initially placed the plant in a large clay pot where it again flowered the following year, 2016. 

Who would've thought that the plant would bloom, albeit with only one inflorescence, even when just casually placed on a pot, with no new root production?

Last year I decided to attach the plant on a wooden mount again, but decided to divide it as it already gained considerable size to be too top heavy for the driftwood. Of course, due to the disturbance it did not flower last year, and really did not expect it to do so again for at least a couple of years. So imagine my surprise when only a few days ago, May 26, I noticed two inflorescences jutting out from the larger division's bases. The thing with these cymbidiums is that the rachis and buds develop considerably quick, that the interval between inflorescence and bud development to actual anthesis is actually very short. 

The buds of C. atropurpureum are like very dark fruits.

Cymbidium atropurpureum is a widespread species, and has been recorded from southern Thailand, west Malaysia, Sumatra, Java and Borneo. In the Philippines, these plants have been found from Luzon to Tawi-tawi in the Sulu Archipelago.

I recently found this article made available online, stating that the 'this species has never been recorded from Luzon or Palawan.'

https://news.mb.com.ph/2016/12/18/cymbidium-species-the-epiphytes/

While it is true that no report has so far been made for the latter island (which does not necessarily mean that this species does not occur there. It's just that reports are so far lacking), the statement for Luzon is erroneous. In fact, these plants have been found on Baguio, Benguet, Laguna, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, and Rizal; as mentioned earlier, my plant was acquired as a division of a plant that originated from a coastal town in Quezon, also on Luzon.

My plant bears flowers 6.3 cm (2.52 in) across by 5.3 cm (2.12 in) high, and strongly emit a grated coconut scent from morning to early afternoon; this scent is only known to occur on two orchid species from the Philippines, the other being Epigeneium treacherianum. There are people who do not seem to like this kind of scent, but I find it adorable. It evokes so much of the tropics, and yes, even the beach with shores lined up with coconut trees. And yet, the appeal of this orchid lies not only in the unusual fragrance, but in its flower color too. Indeed, the species name 'atropurpureum' translates to 'dark purple', although the coloration is not exactly purple. In the best clones, both the sepals and the petals are dark wine red, although plants from western Malaysia and Thailand are said to have greenish segments. The darkest flowers are borne on plants from lowland Sabah and the Philippines. However, the lateral sepals on my plant's flowers are not as dark as I would have wanted, fading to an orangey tone than staying a dark wine color. I would be very happy if I can get my hands on darker-flowered clones.

This species has been noted to flower only once a year, during the months from February to May, or July to August, although it is not uncommon for plants to bloom at other times of the year, too. The linear, stiff but arching, dark green leaves are up to 104 cm (41.6 in) long by 2.5 cm (1 in) wide. When not in flower, this species is separated from the related C. finlaysonianum by its narrower leaves. Their ecological preferences differ too, with C. finlaysonianum occurring at lower elevations, and a propensity to even grow low on tree trunks. In contrast, apart from growing at higher elevations, C. atropurpureum are almost exclusively canopy plants, occupying the uppermost branches of their host trees.

If you wish to grow this orchid, be aware that it eventually grows quite massive. If you do not have a large enough mount or even a tree where it can be attached, the best course of action is to use a large and sturdy pot. Growth is rapid, especially when fertilized often, so repotting may need to be done every two or three years. 

If you like melancholic, moody colors AND the perky scent of coconut, enjoy both at the same time and give this one a try!

There is a third inflorescence behind the plant, almost totally hidden by the dischidias. Hopefully the plant will produce more flowers in the years to come, as it becomes more stabilized.

*Cymbidium atropurpureum has been recorded at altitudes to 2200 m asl on Sabah and Sumatra.