No scent with magenta-flowered Phal bellina? - Orchid Board

smweaver · #1 10-20-2020, 07:57 AM

First, I should disclose that I'm colorblind. So what I'm referring to as "magenta" may, in fact, be something not-so-magenta in reality.

I have two Phalaenopsis bellina plants of the solid magenta-flowered variety, and neither of the blooms from either plant is fragrant. Has anyone else noticed this difference between the standard-colored variety of bellina and the magenta-colored variety? I know this probably sounds like a petty complaint, but since I primarily grow this species for the wonderful scent of the blooms, it's something of a disappointment to find that (to my nose at least) the plants with the solid dark blooms lack fragrance.

Steve

Mr.Fakename · #2 10-20-2020, 10:08 AM

I don't know of - and couldn't find much about - a magenta variety of Phal bellina.

Some googlin' shows specimen with entirely purple flowers are sold as "rubra" or "ruby", but that variety has never been described.

A few websites mention that it's possibly a hybrid (Phal. bellina).

I could come up with 4 hypothesis as to why your Phal are not scented:

- They are indeed a hybrid and fragrance is lot somewhere due to genetics
- You just have very bad luck; it's been reported that fragrance in Phal can be a bit random (ex Phal mannii and cornu-cervi, I've always been told they have a scent but never came across one that does)
- They are clones and a mutation keeps them from being fragrant. I have a Phal violacea alba clone that has a very discrete odour compared to others, only explaination I found is clonal issue
- They are actually perfumed, but you don't check at the right time

Clawhammer · #3 10-20-2020, 10:30 AM

Can you post a pic? I would also be deeply disappointed if my bellina was not fragrant.

Leafmite · #4 10-20-2020, 11:39 AM

My current bellina is Phal bellina 'Star', a clone. Hausermann's sold it as fragrant and it is wonderfully and strongly so, mostly only in the morning (it is fragrant right now). In the afternoon, if it has any fragrance, my citrus and jasmine easily mask it. After the last bellina that had no fragrance at all (but larger, fuller flowers), I made certain to buy a clone that had proven fragrant.

I have found that many species orchids that are known for their fragrance now have 'new, improved versions' that have no fragrance. It can be difficult with some of the species to even find a fragrant one. The goals in breeding orchids, like many other flowers, are for the appearance of the flower and fragrance often gets lost.

smweaver · #5 10-20-2020, 02:40 PM

Here are a couple of pictures of one of the flowers (the other plant's blooms are past their prime, which may account for a lack of fragrance--even though I didn't detect any when they were at their peak a couple of weeks ago). I love the color, but with no bellina (or violacea?) scent, it's disappointing nonetheless.

Thank you for all of your replies!

Steve

SouthPark · #6 10-20-2020, 06:39 PM

Oh geez ...... I really like the colour of those flowers - more than a lot. The magenta colour is incredibly nice.

It doesn't look like a bellina. It is violacea, right?

Also - scent is not a priority for myself. But I can understand why some growers want to smell something nice to go along with the flower.

I'm definitely not disappointed with those pics. In fact, if I were to look for my second phal (I only have 1 at the moment) ...... that's the exact kind I'd be looking for ----- just like that one! I mean EXACTLY like that one. That is a beauty.

OrchidSue · #7 10-21-2020, 12:46 AM

It's definitely not a pure Phal. bellina. It could be Phal. violacea or even Phal. Samera which is the violacea/bellina hybrid. Also could be another hybrid as well.

Have you checked for fragrance at different times of day? Sometimes orchids are only really fragrant in the morning when the sun first comes out and starts warming things up.

Susan

smweaver · #8 10-21-2020, 06:13 AM

I've taken a whiff during the early morning, and again at mid morning when the temperature has warmed up significantly and there's much more light in the growing area, and a couple of more times in the afternoon. But no scent was detected at any of those times. I do think that it's probably a hybrid. There's nothing wrong with that, but it did come from a reputable commercial grower, and the tag specifically states that it's a bellina variety rubra. I may keep the plant, since the flowers are nicely shaped and the color is attractive. Just a bit of a bummer that there's a very good chance that it's not what it was claimed to be.

Thanks for all of your comments.

Leafmite · #9 10-21-2020, 11:30 AM

I hope you will get a nice, fragrant bellina clone. Not only are they fragrant but the flowers are actually quite pretty in real life. Mine isn't a spectacular one but it really brings me quite a bit of joy.

Orchidtinkerer · #10 10-21-2020, 09:38 PM

yes the pictures do confirm that is not a real Bellina.
I haven't come across any Bellina that didn't smell nice.

I did find this bellina rubra for sale Phal. bellina var. Rubra ('''Star Blush''' x fma. Rubra '''Fernbrook''') - OrchidWeb

Shame it has no fragrance.

what are 'Star Blush' and fma. Rubra 'Fernbrook' - I've never heard of these