How bad does C. percivaliana smell?
 

I've heard that it usually smells bad but sometimes it isn't so bad. I really love the flowers of the plant and I'm wondering if I should get one. I don't want to fill a room with stink, so I'm asking...for those of you who grow C. percivaliana, how bad is the smell? Also, do different perci varieties (cultivars) smell different?

It smells like a buttery gardenia maybe? Its not like a Bulbophyllum, it could smell alright to the certain person I suppose versus that other genus.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...rciviliana.jpg
My perciviliana is one of my favorite plants. It's compact, virgorous growing orchid if you get a good one. It's a very reliable bloomer. The smell is not unpleasant it just isn't sweet like other orchids. The fragrance of mine isn't strong so you would have to stick your nose right in it to smell much. Even then I don't consider it a bad smell. I highly recommend them.

Tuck, that is beautiful, will put it on my wishlist. You have sone beauties. TFS

Wow that is beautiful, Tucker85! Now I definitely want it. Glad to hear the smell isn't like some bulbos.

What's the average price of a blooming size percivaliana?

Very nice colored clon, Tucker! Congrats! I would also be really happy with such a plant!

Zootrophion, as already mentioned, the fragrance is just different to the other Cattleyas. It is also variable, and you will have some plants with a fragrance that reminds (me) of fresh cut champignons, others of musk, others very softly of stink-bugs, and other just spicy... however, you normally would need to "stick" your nose in the flowers to feel the fragrance! And, at least to me, it is not really an offending fragrance... just different!

Zootrophion, sorry I don't know the prices. It's a common orchid and should be available many places. It shouldn't be too expensive. They call it the Christmas orchid because it usually blooms around Christmas time.

I just got a huge specimen size perci for a great price. I'm so excited I won't be able to sleep for a while. I keep imagining the lovely photos (like the one above) of the flowers. I hope I can get mine to bloom. I guess since it's so big at least some of the new growths will bloom, but then again, I have big catts that refuse to bloom. Is it easy to bloom, compared to the average catt? Also, how much light does it require (compared to the average catt)? I've grown a bunch of hybrids but haven't tried a species yet.

Light is probably the most important element for getting Catts to bloom. They like as much strong light as you can give them with some protection from midafternoon sun. In the fall and winter let them get very dry between waterings. "Dry hard" as they say. Cut back on the normal summer fertilizer. If you fertilize and water too much the plant will keep growing leaves and not flower. Percivaliana blooms around Christmas time. Enjoy!

Tucker,
C. percivaliana is probably my favorite species at this point and I have four cultivars :)
Which one is this? Summit?
And it is gorgeous...hopefully as mine mature they bloom as nicely as yours!

Good guess, Eyebaby, it is 'Sumit'. I got it from Norman's Orchids at orchids.com. This one is a very strong grower. I would like to get a white version but I don't see them very often. This is the only one I have had experience with. I find that species usually don't grow this vigorously. I may have just gotten a good plant. Happy growing.

Tuckers, C. percivalliana is well known for its vigor!

If you canget an alba or semi-alba, go for it! They are fantastic! IMO the best alba and S/A Cattleyas, regarding labellum's color and contrast! Normally also a pretty goog shape, even though a bit smaller for standard AOS parameters (which IMO have forgotten that species behave different than MEGA Monster Hybrids!) There is also albescens like 'Caracas' which are also very very nice!

Unfortunatelly, as you said, they are not offered very often.. :( I am looking for alba and S/A percivalliana since quite long and without much succes.. (next year I will get an alba coming from Brazil)

I have 'Summit' and it STINKS!!! It smells like the stinkbug juice that they squirt on you. You have to stick your nose right in the flower to smell it though. Don't worry, it smell up your whole house or anything! lol

I find that the smell is not strong enough to smell from far away. When you do put your nose up to the flower the smell always reminds me of lard soap.