Coelogyne ochracea/ nitida - the most wonderful scent in the world!

[Jennyfleur]

Hi,
Not only do these have lovely flowers (do you see a 'W' or two little yellow hearts on the lip?) but, I wonder, is it possible to get addicted to a smell? If so, I'd be in line for a coelogyne ochracea/ nitida addiction! (I've used both names as I bought it called 'ochracea' but I know others use 'nitida').

This is the first of three spikes I have (across two plants) and it looks like they'll open after each other as well which'll prolong the joy So, I'll cut down on the waffle and get to the pictures leaving you only with the opinion that, if you're able to get cool temps (and they do need very cool temps for flowering), you have to give these a go as the scent is totally intoxicating!

(I couldn't even wait until all the flowers are out, I'm that excited)

[Paula Frayne]

The flowers are beautiful on their own - but the suspense is killing me - What do they smell like?

[Jennyfleur]

Originally Posted by Paula Frayne

The flowers are beautiful on their own - but the suspense is killing me - What do they smell like?

Oh, now there's a question! I'm sitting with them a couple of feet away from me so I can smell them as I work and the answer is - I don't know what the smell is like! How usuless am I?! It's not like a honey/ vanilla smell you get from some dendrochilum or the almond/ marzipan of my coelia bella... it's just sweet and floral and ... can I say 'yummy'?...

[Paula Frayne]

So its a sweet type of fragrance - makes work more bearable. Enjoy!

[Jennyfleur]

Originally Posted by Paula Frayne

So its a sweet type of fragrance - makes work more bearable. Enjoy!

Thanks

[Paula Frayne]

Hi Jennyfleur,
I was at a orchid friend's house yesterday, and she had bought one of these at our orchid show this past weekend (I didn't realize). So I had the chance to smell this plant - I can see why you like it so much!

[Discus]

Originally Posted by Jennyfleur

(and they do need very cool temps for flowering)

Hi Jennyfleur - what would you call "very cool" and at what times of year? Thanks!

[Jennyfleur]

Originally Posted by Discus

Hi Jennyfleur - what would you call "very cool" and at what times of year? Thanks!

Hi Discus - it has a winter rest (I restrict watering from the end of Oct to mid feb) and this is when I put it somewhere where the temp will gradually lower as winter sets in. It's one of the cooler Coelogynes and I read somewhere that it's min temp is around 8 degrees C. I don't have a temperature guage, so I can't say for sure, but I'd say mine goes down to 10 degrees C in its main winter spot and then for 2-3weeks I move it to an even cooler spot so it probably goes down to about 6 degrees C (but, like I said, that's only for a short while).

That might be too cool and I could probably get flowers without going that low, but since it seems to work, I'll stick with it for the time being

[Discus]

Thanks Jenny

[Jennyfleur]

Originally Posted by Discus

Thanks Jenny

My pleasure