How bad does C. percivaliana smell?

[Orchidreamer]

I've heard that it usually smells bad but sometimes it isn't so bad. I really love the flowers of the plant and I'm wondering if I should get one. I don't want to fill a room with stink, so I'm asking...for those of you who grow C. percivaliana, how bad is the smell? Also, do different perci varieties (cultivars) smell different?

[SOS]

It smells like a buttery gardenia maybe? Its not like a Bulbophyllum, it could smell alright to the certain person I suppose versus that other genus.

[tucker85]

My perciviliana is one of my favorite plants. It's compact, virgorous growing orchid if you get a good one. It's a very reliable bloomer. The smell is not unpleasant it just isn't sweet like other orchids. The fragrance of mine isn't strong so you would have to stick your nose right in it to smell much. Even then I don't consider it a bad smell. I highly recommend them.

[CTB]

Tuck, that is beautiful, will put it on my wishlist. You have sone beauties. TFS

[Orchidreamer]

Wow that is beautiful, Tucker85! Now I definitely want it. Glad to hear the smell isn't like some bulbos.

What's the average price of a blooming size percivaliana?

[kavanaru]

Very nice colored clon, Tucker! Congrats! I would also be really happy with such a plant!

Zootrophion, as already mentioned, the fragrance is just different to the other Cattleyas. It is also variable, and you will have some plants with a fragrance that reminds (me) of fresh cut champignons, others of musk, others very softly of stink-bugs, and other just spicy... however, you normally would need to "stick" your nose in the flowers to feel the fragrance! And, at least to me, it is not really an offending fragrance... just different!

[tucker85]

Zootrophion, sorry I don't know the prices. It's a common orchid and should be available many places. It shouldn't be too expensive. They call it the Christmas orchid because it usually blooms around Christmas time.

[Orchidreamer]

I just got a huge specimen size perci for a great price. I'm so excited I won't be able to sleep for a while. I keep imagining the lovely photos (like the one above) of the flowers. I hope I can get mine to bloom. I guess since it's so big at least some of the new growths will bloom, but then again, I have big catts that refuse to bloom. Is it easy to bloom, compared to the average catt? Also, how much light does it require (compared to the average catt)? I've grown a bunch of hybrids but haven't tried a species yet.

[tucker85]

Light is probably the most important element for getting Catts to bloom. They like as much strong light as you can give them with some protection from midafternoon sun. In the fall and winter let them get very dry between waterings. "Dry hard" as they say. Cut back on the normal summer fertilizer. If you fertilize and water too much the plant will keep growing leaves and not flower. Percivaliana blooms around Christmas time. Enjoy!

[Eyebabe]

Tucker,
C. percivaliana is probably my favorite species at this point and I have four cultivars
Which one is this? Summit?
And it is gorgeous...hopefully as mine mature they bloom as nicely as yours!