Scented Orchids

 When hobbyists select orchids for their collections, scent is invariably a factor in the selection process. Orchid flowers can offer a veritable potpourri of olfactory delight to adventurous growers. With sweet, spicy, citrus, vanilla and floral notes, the orchid fragrance palette is as varied as are the insect pollinators that the scents may attract.

Pleasantly scented orchid blooms are often compared with the fragrances of other more familiar flowers or with easily identified odors such as orange and cinnamon. Rarely does one hear an orchid scent referred to as that of a specific orchid, excepting vanilla, but then the flowers of Vanilla species do not smell at all like the well known flavoring. The familiar vanilla fragrance develops instead during the fermentation of Vanilla fruits (vanilla beans). Many of the same compounds which produce the odors of familiar objects like oranges, cloves or cinnamon bark, give rise to fragrance in orchid flowers. Limonene, pinene and methyl epijasmonate are a few of the many natural compounds which can make up an odor or fragrance. When these and/or other compounds are combined in varying proportion and released into the air, we get the distinctive odors which we associate with known objects or flowers. One hears of fragrance somewhat ambiguously referred to as the scent of ‘spring flowers’ or more specifically to smelling like roses, lilies, jasmine or violets. For example, Phrag. schlimii flowers can smell of roses, flowers of Lycaste cochleata and Thunia marshalliana smell like oranges, while blooms of some Catasetums are scented of ginger, cinnamon and cardamon. Some orchid scents are sweet and heavy while others are sharp or spicy.

Fragrance character can change with the time of day as can fragrance intensity and freshness. Certain orchids have two fragrance peaks, one in the morning and another at dusk. Some components may cease being emitted as the flowers age or upon pollination, permitting other odors to dominate and thus changing the fragrance character. Fragrance components become oxidized or otherwise altered during the flower life. Flowers of the Yellow Lady’s-slipper can be fragrant the day of opening if the air is warm. The staminode, synsepals and petals are the richest source of scent. The heady, sweet fragrance will continue to be emitted on warm, sunny mornings for up to eight days but the scent character changes as the flowers age. Even if pollinators are present, they rarely visit older flowers.

Male flowers of many Catasetums become heavily fragrant a few days after opening, producing a wave of fragrance daily from about 10 am to 5 pm. As few as eight flowers emit sufficient fragrance to scent more than 5000 cu. ft of living space! Furthermore the dried flowers can retain fragrance for several years making them a useful addition to a potpourri. Female flowers are not at all showy but emit the same fragrance (to the human nose) although not nearly as much as do the male flowers.

Cockleshell-type Encyclias provide us a wide range of sweet and spicy fragrances. Each species has a different quality of scent with most fragrance being emitted during the day. Blooms of Encyclia fragrans, are sufficient to perfume a large room with a sweet vanilla scent. The odor of other Encyclias varies from that of clover honey to fruity, somewhat like that of Mock-orange (Philadelphus) flowers. Many of the Encyclias are most fragrant mid-morning.

White-flowered orchids are often strongly fragrant of jasmine, lilies, lily-of-the-valley (muguet) or narcissus. Many develop their fragrance in late afternoon or evening. Compact, night-fragrant orchids can be easily moved into the living area when in full flower, adding a delightful fragrance dimension to the interior. Baskets of flowering Lady-of-the-Night orchids (Brassavola nodosa) located in the patio or entertainment area will provide evening pleasure. Hybrids of this orchid may retain the fragrance character.

The rosy pink blooms of Oncidium ornithorhynchum smell of grape and baby powder. This same odor can appear in hybrids such as Onc. Remembering Carmen (Vera Arthurs x ornithorhynchum).

Now that fragrant orchids are in demand, special displays of scented orchids have become popular at shows around the world. All fragrant specimens are kept in one display for the ease of judging and for public viewing/scent-sampling. Wheelchair accessible lower shelves are a popular feature. Sometimes there are supplemental exhibits of bottled scent, tester strips, and related educational materials. Each entry is evaluated as to fragrance intensity, character and freshness. Although the judges assess entries independently, they generally have little difficulty coming to a decision. Classic winners include Neofinetia falcata, Cymbidium goeringii and Sedirea japonica, all prized in Asia for their gorgeous complex scents.

Fragrance is rewarding option for the hobbyist to explore. Fragrant orchids come in all sizes and colors and can be found in most genera. They may be grown under a variety of conditions according to type just like any non-fragrant orchid. One can collect one type or a variety to have fragrance on tap throughout the year. Grown well, the orchids will flower and present the grower with a double dose of pleasure, beauty and fragrance.

MarilyninOttawa
I wonder what are your favorite fragrant orchids? The reason I asked is because what is a favorite for one may be less so for another. A lot depends on our individual capacities to appreciate the different scent components.

John_in_Arcadia_CA
Encyclia radiata for sure! And Max. tenufolia. That was my father's favorite orchid. It smelled just like his favorite pie - coconut cream!

Orchidglade
Epigeneium lyoni is just as coconutty as tenufolia. Its a beautiful red-lavander Phillipine species with large squat bulbs, related distantly to Dendrobium. I've always thought of radiata as the fragrance of a cheap French bordello

Michael.Exler
No one mentioned bulbo's?

MarilyninOttawa
There are some Bulbos with a pleasant scent. I believe one such species is Bulb. ambrosia.

Orchidglade
B. lasiochilum is surprisingly fruity - pleasantly so

MarilyninOttawa
I was really surprised to find that Phrag schlimii had such a pleasant rose scent but then I have only two plants and the second does not have the same scent. Some orchid scents are sweet and heavy while others are sharp or spicy. But much of the appreciation of scent lies with the nose. Flowers produced by unthrifty plants may exhibit a less than classic fragrance. It pays to grow your plants well!

John_in_Arcadia_CA
I am sure that some fragrances are quite personal. Some people smell them differently

barbara_in_no._CA
That is for sure. I use to know a lady, she puts mothballs in her hankie so she can sniff it through out the day.

John_in_Arcadia_CA
To each his own!!

MarilyninOttawa
Male flowers of many Catasetums become heavily fragrant a few days after opening. The plant pictured is Cstm. Marsh Hollow 'Pink Spice'

Somebody said that Encyclias were their favorites?

Zeynep
I am the one who likes Encyclia fragrances, they are so varied.

John_in_Arcadia_CA
Marilyn, doesn't the type and period of fragrance depend on the pollinator?

MarilyninOttawa
Good question. Flowering plants have evolved in tandem with possible pollinators. So it follows that a particular scent might attract a particular pollinator...but this is not necessarily always the case. Some orchids attract a range of pollinator species, flies or bees, and these may be attracted by different scent components or even by different visual cues. You cannot make assumptions.

John_in_Arcadia_CA
That I understand. If the smell was of rotten meat would that attract several types of pollinators that might be present?

MarilyninOttawa
I know one example where scent attracts one pollinator and visual cues attract a second species, all to the same orchid.

One of my favorites is the rosy pink bloom of Oncidium ornithorhynchum which smells of grape and baby powder. This same odor can appear in hybrids such as Onc. Remembering Carmen (Vera Arthurs x ornithorhynchum).

I wonder how many of you have experienced a fragrance exhibit at a local show? Neofinetia falcata is a favorite at judgings.

John_in_Arcadia_CA
That is such a nice plant but one that I have never been able to grow. I have killed several of them.

MarilyninOttawa
What seemed to be the problem? Too dry? They are quite hardy temperature-wise but need humidity.

John_in_Arcadia_CA
That might be it. I have not tried one for some time and I don't remember why they died but lack of humidity in my area would be a reasonable assumption.

Michael.Exler
Right on with the humidity. I have 6 of them.

EDDIE_IN_GA
I have one that survived 17% outside temps.

MarilyninOttawa
Michael, do you have different color forms? Have you noticed variations in scent between them?

Another to-yo-ran is known both as Cym virescens or Cym forestii. Cymbidium goeringii . A third to-yo-ran is Sedirea japonica

Some more scented orchids Brassia - High light, year-round watering and feeding, intermediate. Provide lots of space for long inflorescences. Spidery greenish spotted flowers are produced once a year in spring. Lemon-spice scent in abundance during the day. Raise in moss-lined basket. Here we see Brs. (Mem. Fritz Boedecker x longissima). picture

Susan-from-Oregon
Oddly, I have a Brassia longissima x verruscosa that produces NO scent that I can detect.

MarilyninOttawa
Interesting!

Catasetum Marsh Hollow - Moderate to high light, copious water and fertilizer applications when growing, intermediate to warm conditions. Seasonally deciduous. Long sprays of variably colored, heavily fragrant blooms smelling of resin and spice. Grow in pots. South America.

Dendrobium kingianum - High light, warmth, copious moisture and fertilizer when in growth, cool to cold, drier conditions once canes have matured. This Australian native produces many stems of rosy mauve, baby powder-scented flowers in January/February. Grow in pots of coarse bark chips. Australia

Encyclia trulla - Compact, floriferous cockleshell-type orchid having terminal stems of spice-scented blooms. Grows mostly in summer when the plants should be raised intermediate to warm in bright light. Ideal for pots. Mexico.

Lycaste aromatica - A rich, aromatic scent emanates from the long-lasting orange blooms of this spring-flowering orchid. Flowers emerge shortly after seasonal growth begins. Feed and water plants when in active growth. Withhold water and keep plants cool and in bright light during the rest period when the plants are deciduous. Pot or basket. Mexico, Central America.

Lycaste cochleata - The scent of oranges accompanies this charming yellow-flowered orchid when it blooms which happens both when the growths appear and later when they are matured. Bright light, intermediate conditions and copious water when in active growth. Pot or basket. Central America

Lc. Mildred Rives 'Orchidglade' AM/AOS - A classic spicy-floral Cattleya fragrance is produced by this stunning, spring-blooming semi-alba hybrid. Pot. (This is a must-have)

Masdevallia livingstoneana - A rich, fruity aroma is produced by the waxy red and white blooms that are borne in November/December. Grow warm and pot in moss. Central America.

Masdevallia Malcolm (livingstoneana x patriciana) - Culture as above. This is my own hybrid. The flowers last two months but are not fragrant until they are abount 3 weeks old...then...a scent of roses and fresh fruit pervades the growing space.

N_Calif_Kathy
Any idea why the time delay in developing fragrance?

MarilyninOttawa
No idea. Masd. livingstoneana is fragrant from Day 1. The scent is somewhat different in the hybrid so I expect that different systems are switching on as the flower ages.

Miltoniopsis - Most Columbian Miltoniopsis are fragrant. The sweet honey-floral perfume is especially apparent on sunny days. Intermediate, bright indirect or filtered light, water and feeding year round. Pot.

Oncidium ornithorhynchum - Signature fragrance likened to baby powder scent is produced in abundance. This floriferous orchid blooms two to three times a year on developing growths. Water and feed year round. Grow to specimen size in a pot under intermediate, bright conditions. Mexico

N_Calif_Kathy
This might be a stupid question or maybe we covered it already, but is there any tendency for one color to be more fragrant than another?

Susan-from-Oregon
New World reds may be hummingbird pollinated. No need for these to smell because hummers dont sniff.

MarilyninOttawa
Good point Susan. Kathy, there is quite a variation. Yellow-flowered types tend to be more fragrant but scent can be found across a range of colors.

N_Calif_Kathy
I thought maybe whites would have more fragrance since there was less color to attract. (??)

John_in_Arcadia_CA
Aren't many pollinators more-or-less colorblind?

CJ_Orchidflowerchild
Has a lot to do with ultraviolet. Not that they can't see color, but they see it differently.

MarilyninOttawa
In the months to come, I will be addressing Orchid Color (May 14). Meanwhile, suffice it to say that some characteristics have evolved for which there is now no obvious reason why. There may once have been a reason or there may never have been sufficient a cost to drop color altogether. Traits are lost only if they prove costly to an organism's survival. Otherwise, it is a matter of chance mutation.

Oncidium Remembering Carmen - Another of my hybrids, individuals of this grex Smell somewhat like Onc. ornithorhynchum but each is a little different in scent character. The long lasting flowers are produced in autumn. Grow intermediate to warm in bright light. Water and feed year round. Pot.

Paph. Lynleigh Koopowitz - The delightful raspberry scent of Paph. malipoense has been passed on to its hybrid. However, some individuals are strongly scented while others are not. Grow intermediate in indirect light. Water when compost just begins to dry. Fertilize lightly. picture

Phalaenopsis Orchid World 'Bonnie Vasquez' AM/AOS - Famous for its brightly colored flowers and for an unmistakable fruity fragrance. Grow this orchid warm in bright, indirect light. Water and feed year round. Pot. When we are dealing with hybrids, and quite complex hybrids, a lot of characters are mixed, suppressed or enhanced.

John_in_Arcadia_CA
That is an interesting one. My plant never had a fragrance as far as I knew.

MarilyninOttawa
Someone mentioned this as a favorite. Mine too! Rhyncholaelia digbyana - Also known as Brassavola, this handsome orchid bears single massive lime green flowers having a remarkable fringed lip and a powerful citrus scent. Grow in high light at intermediate to warm temperatures. Water and feed year round. Pot or mounted. Mexico, Central America

Mike_in_WA
Why is it that many digbyana will not bloom given the same conditions as others that do. They seem very picky

MarilyninOttawa
Many specimens come from habitats where they have evolved to respond to particular signals such as an extended dry period coincident with chilling, or light increase after leaf fall. You will have to experiment a bit to get all specimens to bloom.

Susan-from-Oregon
Is Rhnch glauca any easier to bloom? (I bet it smells fine too.)

MarilyninOttawa
This species is somewhat easier to bloom and more compact also. The flowers are very fragrant. I smelled a Bc. Daffodil (aurantiaca x glauca) recently and it was wonderfully scented. It is a more complex scent to digbyana.

Sedirea japonica - A classic Japanese orchid that is heavily scented of lilies and citrus. Powerful complex scent and a beautiful flower. Grow intermediate in bright indirect light. Water and feed year round. Pot or small basket. Japan picture

Vanda tesselata - Blooming every three months when grown intermediate to warm in bright light. Flowers smell of lilac and grape. Water and feed regularly. Pot or basket. India

Zygopetalum Helen-Ku - Long-lasting blooms scented of hyacinth and grape. Grow intermediate in moderate to high light with copious water and regular feeding. Pot.

I feel that you have now a range of orchids from which to choose for fragrance and for your particular wet/dry, hot/cool growing conditions. Rhyncholaelias should do well in California I would think.

I have decided on this year's agenda. I plan to alternate genera A, B,C etc with topics. March will be Pleurothallids; April will be genera beginning with A; May will be Color, and so on. Please stay tuned!

Susan-from-Oregon
That sounds great

MarilyninOttawa
Thank you all for making the discussion so fruitful. Good night!