First Time Orchid Owner and it STINKS! - Orchid Board

jbm2905 · #1 09-18-2007, 10:02 PM

I was given a beautiful orchid (small purple flowers) in April when my grandmother passed away. I don't have much of a green thumb but I managed to keep the orchid alive. We went away on vacation for two weeks and it lost all of it's flowers. I figured that I might as well see if I could get it flowering again.
Low and behold, the orchid started to bloom a few weeks later and it has looked better than when I received it.

Fast forward to this week. I am nauseated by the stench when I walk into our dining room. I searched high and low trying to find where the dog might have urinated. I cleaned the carpets and had the windows open. Guess what? The dog didn't urinate in the dining room. My orchid is in the same spot and when I leaned in close I knew that is where the awful smell was coming from.

What do I do?

Do some orchids smell that bad?

I would hate to throw it away but I can't take the smell much longer.

Thanks!
Jen

cb977 · #2 09-18-2007, 10:06 PM

Many orchids have an "unpleasant" fragrance

Would yours happen to have a tag on it showing the name?

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If you need help with anything, let us know

jbm2905 · #3 09-18-2007, 10:11 PM

Duh! Of course there are different types of orchids so the type would be helpful.

The tag says "Dtps K-yut Diamond"

Is it normal for an orchid to smell bad at certain times?

Dorothy · #4 09-18-2007, 10:16 PM

Yes .. it might be a bulbo - a few have a the nasty rep of being stinkers ...
If you provide a photo - we might be able to id it for you.
Usually with most stinkers, they last a few days after they bloom - the odor is to attract carrion flies to pollinate it reproducing the scent of rotting flesh.
You can put it outside - but I don't know what it is and what your conditions are at this time. You could purchase a glass bell jar and cover it over the days it's 'fuming'.
(I wouldn't suggest too long a time as all orchids need air circulation, I don't think a few days would hurt and I'm sure it would be more tolerable for you

)

Here are some sites for bell jars or cloches
Glass Cloche Bell Jar
NOTCOT: Bell Jars

Good luck

This came after your response of Dtps

Dorothy · #5 09-18-2007, 10:18 PM

I never heard of a dtps reeking ...?
Maybe it needs to be repotted - What kind of medium is it in ?

Dorothy · #6 09-18-2007, 10:33 PM

Is this your orchid?
Dtps K-Yut Diamond pictures from home & garden photos on webshots
It's sweeeeet !

cb977 · #7 09-18-2007, 10:56 PM

That's such a cute 'chid! Love it!!!

I don't think the smell is coming from the plant, it must be the stuff it's potted in.

I'd take it out of there and get it repotted into fresh medium once the roots are cleaned and treated.