Aerides odorata (maybe)

[smweaver]

Although I bought this plant a number of years ago as Aerides odorata, this is the first time that it's flowered for me, and I'm starting to have a suspicion that it might be Aerides lawrenciae instead. The primary reason for this is because the blooms have been open for four days and I can't detect any scent that would justify the name odorata (and everything I've read about lawrenciae has stated that species has a much more subdued fragrance than odorata's, a species who's blooms, as the name implies, are highly fragrant). That being said, I've also read that odorata is a highly variable species, so perhaps I just haven't waited long enough for a scent to develop. In any case, the blooms are pretty and the plant grows like a weed. So I suppose I'll keep it for now. :wink: If anyone can confirm which species this is, I would appreciate hearing your opinion. Thank you!

Steve

[RosieC]

Can't confirm the species but it sure is pretty

[mollycart1]

I am not familiar with the species, but it is pretty.

[camille1585]

I saw an Aerides odorata at an orchid show 2 weeks ago, and it looked very different. But seeing the amount of variation there is within the species, yours very well could be an odorata. Orchidwiz has a photo of one similar to yours, and a photo of Aerides lawrenciae also very similar to yours. Also, the one I saw had a very very strong citrusy fragrance which was hard to miss.
And the one in my photos seems to have a very strange lip compared to other pics!

[Roy]

Steve, your plant IS Aer. odorata for sure.
The 2 photos Camille has are of Aer. houlletiana.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Roy

Steve, your plant IS Aer. odorata for sure.
The 2 photos Camille has are of Aer. houlletiana.

Are you sure? In that case I need to tell the botanical garden that they mislabeled that orchid! I'm not familiar with Aerides, so I trusted what I saw on the tag... Boy do I feel stupid!

[Baz in Oz]

Steve, it sure looks like odorata.
The one I had years ago had a very attractive strong lemon scent. Can't remember what time of the day the scent appeared.
I have a new one that has yet to flower.

Baz

[Roy]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Are you sure? In that case I need to tell the botanical garden that they mislabeled that orchid! I'm not familiar with Aerides, so I trusted what I saw on the tag... Boy do I feel stupid!

Camille, don't feel stupid, its not necessarily their fault ( definitely not yours ) as some Aerides where known by other names for years till reclassified. They may have had these names when obtained by the Gardens and the need for name change has never been advised.

[natasha]

try smelling in the early morning or dusk. i found my fragrant chids (not aerides odorata) usually fragrant during this time. one paraphalaenopsis smell all day & night though... and its so strong, suffocating me!

[rastafouni]

Agree (again lol) with Roy. The 2 species are , for the first, odorata and houlettiana for the second.