Fragrant oncidiums revisited

[RandomGemini]

I have to agree, Sharry Baby does have a powerful scent. When mine is in bloom, the entire house smells like it. People come in and wonder what smells so good. I hope mine spikes again soon, I love the fragrance.

My oncidium twinkle's fragrance is very light. You almost have to put your nose in the flowers to it to smell them, so that might be another option for your place too!

[Ispahan48]

Thank you so much to all of you for contributing to this thread! I have a spiking Nelly Isler and I hope to experience the awesome fragrance (and beautiful flowers) firsthand in a month or two. I love how the plant is quite compact as well.

I recently obtained two blooming Oncidium Twinkle clones. The 'Fragrance Fantasy' has a gorgeous, sweet, refined fragrance like sugary vanilla with hints of cocoa. It does not waft (yet) but is wonderful up close. I stick my nose in whenever I walk by. It seems strongest from mid to late morning.

The 'Red Fantasy' clone of Twinkle is a much stronger fragrance that is more likely to waft. It seems equally fragrant throughout the day and does not seem to wax/wane like 'Fragrance Fantasy'. What *does* change is its undertones. It has a base of rich, heady chocolate, but at different times of the day will have undertones of vanilla, spice, cedar, sandalwood or even root beer/Dr. Pepper (I swear!). It smells awesome at all times. Truth be told, I almost didn't buy this clone because I bought one off of e-Bay more than 10 years ago that was advertised as "smelling just like Sharry Baby." When it bloomed it had that awful, chemically "cat pee" scent that sometimes develops, maybe due to mericloning variations? In any case, I had to get rid of that one, lol!

I also have 'Pink Profusion' that just started sending out 3 spikes and another clone I was able to find called 'Cream Puffs' with 8 spikes forming. Yahoo! I can't wait to smell them but I also know now about the possibility of getting a "bad" clone.

[Mandy2705]

I have a Rex Van Delden Pink Bees but it has not bloomed for me yet. When it does, I will post pictures.

[gngrhill]

I also have 2 sharry babys, neither has a very strong scent. I have to stick my nose right in the blooms. I have been trying to get the Nelly Isler, but there don't seem to be many places that are selling it. I have heard nothing but positive remarks about it.

[astrid]

Originally Posted by gngrhill

I also have 2 sharry babys, neither has a very strong scent. I have to stick my nose right in the blooms. I have been trying to get the Nelly Isler, but there don't seem to be many places that are selling it. I have heard nothing but positive remarks about it.

You can buy a Nelly Isler from Seattle Orchid online. I called them to ask about what I thought was scale on my nellys, and asked if they really did keep them in stock regularly.

Not only did they tell me about their stock, but they had a pretty in-depth conversation about my plants with me, pointed me to orchid shows, and gave me several tips and suggestions. They gave me advice for 10 minutes MORE than once!!

You could get a nelly isler from them for probably $20 +10 shipping.

Anyway, that's a place you can get one online for under $40 and likely with good health.

[RandomGemini]

Found a new one!!

Odnta. Pacific Paranoia 'Other Side of Cool'

The scent is why I bought it. I was going to pass on this plant, the flowers are interesting, but not my usual brightly yellow and orange and pink fare, but the scent... Oh wow!!

[astrid]

Originally Posted by RandomGemini

Found a new one!!

Odnta. Pacific Paranoia 'Other Side of Cool'

The scent is why I bought it. I was going to pass on this plant, the flowers are interesting, but not my usual brightly yellow and orange and pink fare, but the scent... Oh wow!! Attachment 105681

Hey, what does that one smell like? What makes it so special?

I love flowers that have non-floral smells!!

[RandomGemini]

It does have a floral smell. It's just a nice floral smell. Not too overpowering, no notes of cat pee, which I've actually found more than once in fragrant oncidiums, LOL! It also seems to be an all day event, not just in the morning or the evening.

[NYCorchidman]

I recently trashed my Oncidium sunlight 'NN' very small growing plant but with quite a bit of flower count and very strong fragrance. I think it's my favorite. I can't really describe it but very strong, sweet with some strange citrusy kick or spicy kick, but overall heavenly good.
I tossed it because the leaves eventually got too "dirty" looking. I had it for over two years.

Pesky Panther has a slight fragrance not strong at all, at least ones I had.

Rosy Sunset is very nice. Among my favorites.
It's sort of like heaven scent or sharry baby sort of scent. Under the midday sun, the scent is very powerful and delightful.

Many intergenerics with brassia in them has either sweet floral or spicy peppery scent to them.

[Gage]

I will agree, Burr. Nelly Isler is VERY fragrant...one of my favorite of the many fragrant orchids out there.