Orchids with a strong scent

[Dumb chemist]

Don''t forget Encyclia radicans (or whatever name it is given now). I have one plant that has been in bloom with 4 flowers (2 per each pseudobulb) for at least 2 weeks and it is still scenting. I am at my computer and I can smell the flowers even though I am about 15 feet away from the plant. It is an amazing plant.

In the past, I have had Lycaste aromatica bloom and could never detect the cinnamon scent from the flowers. I do not know what I was doing wrong; but, the 2 plants I had would bloom and there would not be any fragrance.

And last but not least: Brassovola nodosa gives a fantastic scent after sundown. I bought one in bloom from Jim Rice some years ago. After sunset, that one bloom scented my entire living room. Sadly, I could not keep the pant alive.

[john lapointe]

I have another to add, Bulbophyllum lasiochilum, contrary to popular beliefs this plant has powerful sweet fragrance. In the summer the orchids go live outside, on a calm day it fills the nursesary area withfragrance. If you pickit up and put your nose in it it will blow your olfactory senses away.

[Danie]

After 5 years my favorite orchid - Peristeria Elata also known as Dove Orchid - is finally flowering.
It has a huge spike 3Ft 3" tall. Notice the dove shape inside the flower…
The flowers’ scent is powerful and fills the whole downstairs of my house.
It may be too strong as it is giving me a small headache…I may have to put it in a separate space.

[apenan]

Phalaenopsis Bellina from Sarawak have a very strong and sweet scent.

[Moggitte]

I just logged into this site to ask that same question! Thank for all the suggestions! As a beginner, my other question would be which ones are easier to grow? What would be a good fragrant orchid to start with?
Thanks to you all!

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Moggitte

I just logged into this site to ask that same question! Thank for all the suggestions! As a beginner, my other question would be which ones are easier to grow? What would be a good fragrant orchid to start with?
Thanks to you all!

Take a realistic look at the conditions you can provide. How will your plants get light? What will the temperatures that your plants are exposed to range from? What type of water are you able/willing to provide? Knowing these things will allow someone to make an intelligent answer to your question. From the first time I tried, I found growing Cattleya nobilior under my conditions and regimen to be as easy as falling off a log. Most people would consider it a poor recommendation for a beginner, and I'd most likely agree. Knowing nothing of the conditions it would be kept under, I definitely would. I simply got lucky with a somewhat tricky species. I hate having to be lucky!

[Moggitte]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Take a realistic look at the conditions you can provide. How will your plants get light? What will the temperatures that your plants are exposed to range from? What type of water are you able/willing to provide? Knowing these things will allow someone to make an intelligent answer to your question. From the first time I tried, I found growing Cattleya nobilior under my conditions and regimen to be as easy as falling off a log. Most people would consider it a poor recommendation for a beginner, and I'd most likely agree. Knowing nothing of the conditions it would be kept under, I definitely would. I simply got lucky with a somewhat tricky species. I hate having to be lucky!

Thanks for responding. I am actually in a position to create a space for orchids. I am moving, and have my very own studio shed space. Part of my furnishing will include a small space for orchids. There is a large 5x5' window on one end that opens onto a lightly wooded lawn. There is sun, but not direct. If it turns out to be too much sun, I can always add shelving to the other end of the shed where the is low sun exposure. Water is basic city water. The house has a filter, and I have a couple of Brita filters as well. There is also a well with potable water, but I don't know the mineral content.
It would be lovely to have an orchid that would fill my little shed with fragrance for part of the year!

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Moggitte

Thanks for responding. I am actually in a position to create a space for orchids. I am moving, and have my very own studio shed space. Part of my furnishing will include a small space for orchids. There is a large 5x5' window on one end that opens onto a lightly wooded lawn. There is sun, but not direct. If it turns out to be too much sun, I can always add shelving to the other end of the shed where the is low sun exposure. Water is basic city water. The house has a filter, and I have a couple of Brita filters as well. There is also a well with potable water, but I don't know the mineral content.
It would be lovely to have an orchid that would fill my little shed with fragrance for part of the year!

In which direction does the window face? "Basic city water" doesn't tell anything. Contact the water department you pay your bill to and ask for the most recent analysis. It's free, and then you'll know what you're working with.

[aliceinwl]

I have to rave about Phal. Sogo Pony 'Montclair'. It has a strong sweet floral scent with a hint of citrus. I have a number of scented Phals but this is the only one that emits a room filling scent at low temperatures (high 60s to low 70s). I have to stick my nose in the flowers to smell my others at these temperatures, so I’m loving Phal. Sogo Pony 'Montclair'!

[Moggitte]

Originally Posted by aliceinwl

I have to rave about Phal. Sogo Pony 'Montclair'. It has a strong sweet floral scent with a hint of citrus. I have a number of scented Phals but this is the only one that emits a room filling scent at low temperatures (high 60s to low 70s). I have to stick my nose in the flowers to smell my others at these temperatures, so I’m loving Phal. Sogo Pony 'Montclair'!

Thank you for the suggestion. I happen to love Phals. I am intrigued by others, but Phals overall size and shape are so graceful. I will look for this one.

---------- Post added at 10:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:09 AM ----------

Originally Posted by apenan

Phalaenopsis Bellina from Sarawak have a very strong and sweet scent.

Oh, wow! That is beautiful!

---------- Post added at 10:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 AM ----------

That's quite a list! Now to filter through and find which ones have a fragrance I will like and be able to grow. That should be quick and easy, huh? I think it will harder than doing taxes! But a lot more fun.