I have a Brassavola nodosa that isn't at all fragrant. Many other orchids famous for certain scents now have clones that are not fragrant, too. This is happening throughout much of the flower world. Roses and carnations are facing the same fate. The problem is that judges at shows are only interested in the appearance of flowers and the fragrance doesn't matter at all. Naturally, breeders want to win awards as this increases the value of the orchids so they do what is necessary to conform to the 'standards' and, if fragrance is not included as a standard, that is not going to be important in breeding.
In silent protest, I never enter my orchids in any of the area shows even though I do help in any way I can for my society's show. It concerns me that as many species become extinct in the wild, we are also losing them in 'captivity' through breeding out the traits that they once had and making them something quite different. I think that the fragrance is part of the essence of a flower as it is how they attract pollinators and can even tell us more about the flower.
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