I have never noticed a scent on these, chrysotoxum which is a relative is fragrant so maybe they confused the two?

They are supposed to have a dry winter rest to bloom in the spring. I think they put out more growth if they get water and fertilizer in the winter. They have a reputation for being difficult, some refer to them as Dend. aggravate-um. There was a long thread maybe last year on the topic.

I have been growing one for about 6 years. I mounted it on a piece of wood when I got it. They do have definite seasonal cycles which you must follow to get flowers.

I live in Florida and we have defined dry and rainy seasons so they do very well here. I did not grow this plant in NY. It will be tricky for you. We have another poster, Bob, who has been trying without luck, who lives in NYC. Hopefully, he pops in to give you advice.

You bring up a good question about finding new growth on your plant. I have the same problem but I really forget about the plant and don't keep an eye on it as its mounted in a spot I'm not around often.

They send spikes, one per pbulb. That bulb doesn't appear to make a new growth until it flowers a second spike the following year. At least mine doesn't. After two bloom cycles, that bulb will send out a new growth which repeats the same.

Mine does not send out two spikes per bulb.

Do not water over winter, maybe just a spritz once in a while. The bulbs get very wrinkled. I begin to water again when I see spikes forming. I do not water every day, maybe twice a week. Mine flowers in late March or mid April.

In Florida, the rains begin in May or June and it rains almost daily. I fertilize over the summer during the rainy season. I fertilize very little, just a little granular, time release type.

Best thing you can do is give it tons of sun, let it start going dry in November and do not water except for a spritz once a week if mounted. In a pot, probably no watering at all. Don't be bothered by the wrinkled bulbs.

Good luck,

Jane

Bob here, western Ohio not NYC.

I still haven't gotten blooms on my plant.

As far as culture: It gets fairly full sun from May to October. (last frost to first frost here) with plenty of water and fertilizer during those times. It goes indoors in front of an east facing window with supplemental LED lighting overhead the rest of the year/winter. From November to March I only mist or lightly water once every 4-6 weeks. I get lots of new growth during the outdoor season (20+ p-bulbs currently) but have yet to get any spikes or blooms. I plan on taking it out of it's 5 1/2" pot soon and putting it in a 6" teak basket, would mount it but don't think it will adapt from pot to mount successfully. If the basket doesn't work I'll try mounting it in a couple of years.

I originally was planning on dumping the plant if it didn't bloom last spring, but now it has peaked my stubborn streak and I'm going to keep trying until something works.

Here are links to past discussions: Aggregatum

So in summary, don't do what I've done the last 3-4 years :(

Good luck!

Bob

Sorry, Bob. Somehow I always thought of you as a New Yorker!

Stay stubborn! I know that plant will bloom for you.....eventually!

Jane

Suspect it is something to do with winter (or what is called winter in these parts) today was typical. BRRRR about 8C minimum. Then the sun rose with no clouds in the sky. Got to about 20C maximum and the arid westerly wind blew all day, about 30% humidity.

A local orchid society member got an award for her plant called Den. lindleya which I think is the latest name. She grew the plant outside all year in a shade house.

Hard to duplicate those conditions if you are an indoor grower.

* checked name and latest version is Den. lindleyi