Worst Smelling Orchids Ever!

[Leafmite]

Originally Posted by BrassavolaStars

I actually seek out specifically bad smelling ones on purpose.

If you want something that smells terrible when in bloom, try a Cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum zeylanicum). Ugh. When mine was in bud, I was hoping to hand pollinate and have seed but when those little flowers opened, our home stank! I had to remove all the flowers. And then there is my Neem tree...the flowers smell really wonderful. Nature can sure have a sense of humor!

I prefer my orchids to be fragrant...but with a nice fragrance. My orchids grow inside the home. I also have other plants with flowers or leaves that have a nice fragrance.

[Roberta]

I wouldn't consider it really bad, but definitely an acquired taste... Dendrochillum magnum. I recall a show several years ago, where the Facilities Manager of the venue chewed us (the show chairpeople) out, insisting that somebody was smoking clove cigarettes in his room where we had the exhibits... it turned out to be a bunch of very nice Ddc. magnum blooms in a display. (We have been laughing about it ever since. I can't look at a big, happy Ddc. magnum without giggling a bit.)

[ghuylar]

Bulbophyllum echinolabium. One of the most beautiful and awe inspiring flowers I have ever seen....... But smells like potent dog poo on a hot summer day. It's the kind of plant you must admire from afar. Why must something so beautiful smell so awful?

[My Green Pets]

I have to echo that my Bulbo echinolabium, who I nicknamed HAL, has an almost comically horrible odor. Every time it blooms, I give it a whiff, thinking, it can't be that bad. And then I smell it. My God, it is the embodiment of horror and death. It is the odor that must fill the room when the darkest demons from Hell emerge. But even so, I still love this plant!! The flowers are amazing!!!

[DeaC]

Bulbo. lavanae looks evil and smells the same but I don't care as long as it blooms. Besides,if I were a pollinator the scent is the attraction. It's all about the insects and we need their help.

[DirtyCoconuts]

I think some cattleya smell horrible. The ones that are like over ripe citrus to the point where they smell like rotten lemons. Not a fan lol

[OrchidSue]

Bulbophyllum nymphopolitanum is another stinker. The clone "Doggy Doo" speaks for itself.

For novelty fragrance purposes Phalaenopsis venosa is good one to get. I wouldn't call the fragrance extremely unpleasant, but is unique. This species has an interesting smokey fragrance. Mine smells like charcoal brickets mixed with a bit of floral scent.


Susan