Encyclia Cordigera var Rosea - strong rose fragrance

[SirCatofBloominCheshireC:]

Every year now I visit my local orchid show to hunt for dream plants. I've never found too many orchids already in bloom with a very strong (or pleasant) fragrance for sale. This little Encyclia Cordigera var Rosea had such a strong rose fragrance that it just about knocked my socks off. You could smell the perfume strongly over any other orchid plant at the show especially within 30 feet of the plant. There was one other in bloom for sale as well. Yet it didn't have anywhere near the rounded rosey perfume this little Encyclia did. I really enjoyed that this one had more of a rounded lip with dark veining against the rosey colored frills of the lip. I hope maybe I can do some orchid breeding one day to pull the veining and contrast out more while keeping the fragrance. Enjoy

[Dollythehun]

I gather you bought this???? If so, good find!

[SirCatofBloominCheshireC:]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

I gather you bought this???? If so, good find!

Thank you. Yes, I'm lucky to have 3 major orchid growers who sell at our orchid show. I bought this plant from one of them who is a goofy old AOS Judge. Delightful guy with delightful orchids.

[jkofferdahl]

What a beauty! This species is probably my favorite Encyclia.

[snowflake311]

I have one of these I almost killed it. The plant is recovering well. I can not wait to smell and see it again. They are amazing. Very nice plants. I just hate how the leaves do not bend and I find it hard to find space for. The smell makes it worth it.

[SirCatofBloominCheshireC:]

Originally Posted by snowflake311

I have one of these I almost killed it. The plant is recovering well. I can not wait to smell and see it again. They are amazing. Very nice plants. I just hate how the leaves do not bend and I find it hard to find space for. The smell makes it worth it.

I think the stiff, spiky leaves feel more like they're from the jungle than other orchids. I love the Encyclias because they look so much more wild and wiry than other, more hybridized or frilly species. And I could see those fine roots causing problems in a hurry if they're not happy. I'm already dreaming of an overgrown plant in 10 years with 30 spikes intoxicating the room with it's fragrance and wild beauty. It really is a striking little flower.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Oh goodness I wish I could find one near me. It would so go home with me.

[SirCatofBloominCheshireC:]

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

Oh goodness I wish I could find one near me. It would so go home with me.

You might contact the seller I bought mine from if you live in America. I believe he ships by mail if he still has plants available. Google, Jolah Orchids

[Dollythehun]

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

Oh goodness I wish I could find one near me. It would so go home with me.

I think Hausermann's also has that.

[SG in CR]

That strong of a fragrance is definitely not the norm for the semi-alba strain native to Costa Rica. you need to be fairly close to smell them, though it is a nice floral fragrance.
For anyone interested, they grow wild in areas that get a long dry season every year. For the most part I've found them in shaded areas growing on vertical trunks of small to medium sized trees. They can handle 3-4 months of the dry heat of a Guanacaste dry season.