Poll of Cattleya percivaliana scent
 

I've seen pictures of this Cattleya species and have always admired both the flowers and the form of the plant. However, I've also read that it's scent is somewhat different than that of most other Cattleyas. I have a chance to purchase a flowering-size plant right now, and the grower's description of the scent was "spicy." Can anyone else who's grown this species let me know what you thought of the scent, please? Is it good, okay or downright nasty? "Spicy" is rather vague in my opinion (I once saw a description of Bulbophyllum echinolabium's foul-smelling flowers as "strong and unique" on one commercial nursery's website; so I'm kind of leery about any descriptions that are even remotely ambiguous). Thank you.

Steve

Mine smelled like rotten socks! So foul I gave it away! Breaks my heart that such a beautiful flower smells so bad.

I know C. percivaliana from the wild, and I must admit they smell like stinkbugs, but somehow less strong and you can get used to it. On the other hand, the fower is just great and it's worth making the effort ;)

I have two plants now in my appartment, and am wondering how will be the effect of the fragance in a living room... :biggrin:

Now you're kidding us, right? :biggrin: Dirty socks is not a smell I would add to my house anytime soon. :_(

Well, I don't think I would describe dirty socks or stink bugs as being "spicy." So I may have to pass on this one. Thank you, everyone, for your honesty. Oh, and Kavanaru, if you survive the experience of having TWO of these malodorous orchids in your apartment this winter, please let us know. :-)

I currently grow two cultivars this species, 'Summit' /AOS and 'Sonja'. The really nice thing about them is that they are dependable Christmas time bloomers. The perhaps not so good thing is that they smell just like the lye soap my grandmother used to make!
Jerry

Actually, I am especting flowers only from one of them (C. percivaliana 'Tipo'), the other one (C. percivaliana var. albescens ' Caracas') is a new import, and was quite stressed when I received it. It is doing well now and shooting out lots of new roots, but the two sheaths dried out... on the other hand (and after reading the whole thread) I think I am becoming sort of "nose masochist": I am currentl bidding for a big (very big) C. percivaliana in ebay (end time: next sunday afternoon) - it was part of a collection that was neglected for some reason and the plant is a bit stressed, but what I can seein the picture, still in good conditions... and C. percivaina is normally quite strong, so I hope I get it and it likes my place :biggrin: and next year I can move out of the appartment for Christmas due to the smell of the 3 plants (and Amorphophallus konjak flowering just after...):drool: