Fragrant oncidiums revisited

[Ispahan48]

I have been trying to gather more information about any reliably fragrant oncidiums or intergenerics available. There doesn’t seem to be any really great sources of information about scented oncidiums like there is about fragrant phalaenopsis for example. A lot of the intergeneric clones seem to be grown for mass market sales only and they seem to come and go, with very few being maintained by “serious” orchid nurseries that sell to hobbyists. As a consequence, many are hard to find.

Can anybody recommend any truly fragrant oncidium species, hybrids or intergenerics? When I say fragrant, I mean discernible on the air of the room in which the plant is growing or perceptible at least a few feet away from a blooming plant.

(The “chocolate-scented” hybrids like Sharry Baby have another separate thread dedicated to them.)

Species:

Oncidium ornithorhynchum (aka sotoanum)—a popular and well-known compact species with fragrance variously described as sweet, chocolatey, like vanilla, soapy, candy-like or like lilacs or even “fruity pepbbles” cereal.

Oncidium fuscatum—Said to be fragrant and has the ability to produce more buds on old flower spikes. A parent of Oncidium Ruffles and a grandparent of Oncidium Heaven Scent. Does anyone here grow this one or have more information? It used to be known as Miltonia warscewiczii, but I can find very little information online.

Oncidium cheirophorum—A miniature species with yellow flowers and scented like camphor or sandalwood. The scent is not liked by everyone.

Hybrids (many of these were previously classified as intergenerics) :

Oncidium Ruffles ‘Scent of a Woman’—Said to be a compact hybrid of O. ornithorhynchum x O. fuscatum. Variable reports of fragrance.

Oncidium Twinkles—Many different colors and clones available. From a cheirophorum x ornithorhynchum cross. Many are pleasantly fragrant, but fragrance reports have ranged from markedly unpleasant (like cat pee) to some plants having no fragrance at all.

Oncidium Sunlight ‘Hilo Honey’-A large yellow-flowered hybrid scented like honey/vanilla. Does anybody grow this plant?

Oncidium Sunlight ‘Pesky Panther’—A couple of threads on this forum referred to this plant as “heavily scented.” Does anyone currently grow it?

Oncidium Sunlight ‘NN’—Said to be delightfully fragrant, but no longer appears to be available.

Oncidium Rosy Sunset—Variable reports of fragrance

Oncidium Tsiku Marguerite—A Twinkles x ornithorhynchum cross. Variable reports of fragrance.

Oncidium Saint Anthony of Egypt ‘Fragrant Beauty’—Currently sold by Norman’s, but I can’t find any information about it. Anyone here grow it?

Oncidium Cherry Fudge ‘Carmela’--Said to be strongly scented. Anyone here grow it?

Oncidium Burgundian—Said to be strongly scented. Anyone here grow it?

Oncidium Rex van Delden ‘Pink Bees’-- Said to be scented. Anyone here grow it?

Intergenerics:

Brassidium Golden Gamine ‘White Knight’—A Brassidium Golden Urchin x ornithorhynchum cross said to be lightly fragrant of dark chocolate.

Brassidium Wild Warrior ‘Chieftain’—Said to have a strong floral/gardenia-like fragrance that can fill a room.

Burreagara Nelly Isler ‘Swiss Beauty’—Variable reports of fragrance but still commonly available and widely grown.

Degarmoara Winter Wonderland ‘White Fairy’—Said to be strongly fragrant but on a massive plant that is sometimes tricky to rebloom.


Are there any others that can be added to the lists above? Please share your experiences and knowledge!

[cbuchman]

From my collection, I can add:

Onc. Sharry Baby
Mtdm. Green Valley Fragrant

[czayta]

I have an Oncidium Heaven Scent Redolence that has a very beautiful smell when you walk up to it. I doesn't take over the air in the room, but it is definitely discernable when near the plant in the afternoon.

[RandomGemini]

I would also add Banfieldara Gilded Tower 'Mystic Maze' which has a very light floral orchid scent that reminds me of lilacs, but isn't quite the same. The scent gets stronger as the blooms age.

[My Green Pets]

Oncidium maculatum has a sweet honey scent and oncidium speckled spire 'whisp' has a light vanilla fragrance

[My Green Pets]

Ooh and Onc Jungle Monarch has a sweet honey fragrance as well

[LovePhals]

Good thread! Degarmoara Winter Wonderland' White Fairy' has a great fragrance, a soft pleasant fragrance. My plant bloomed when it wasn't very large, they doesn't need to be massive to bloom. It does seem harder to bloom than my other Oncidiums. I recently moved it to higher light with my Vandas!

[RandomGemini]

Oncidium Wild Willie 'Pacific Bingo' is scented also. Clover honey type scent. Very light, fragrance most noticeable in the morning.

[hypostatic]

I have a few onc. twinkles. They smell sort of like vanilla or cookies.

[astrid]

I have two Nelly Islers now. I about died when I saw them at Fred Meyer of all places- and for only $9! I really got them for a steal, and what a treat they are!

They had no fragrance when I brought them home, but as they got acclimated to my room, they put off a wonderful lemon candy smell. They smell the strongest when the sun is warm and bright at about midday.

They're really just a wonderful smell. It's not a typical floral smell at all. I Highly recommend the Nelly Isler. It has quickly captured my heart and my nose. I can sit and sniff it over and over!

They mildly fill the room with smell, but if you're within a couple feet you can definitely smell it at midday.

I opted not to get a Sherry Baby because the one in the store I could smell from 4 feet away and my room is just too small for something so powerful.