Orchid Fragrance

[Kevinator]

Hello everyone!

Kevinator here with a question. Are there any factors that can affect fragrance? This topic hasen't been covered much and I realized that my orchids are a lot less fragrant than when I bought them. I do not have any smelling proplems so I could definately tell the difference.

Thanks!

[cbuchman]

Kevinator, there was a recent thread on this with lots of discussion. See if you can find it with the Search.

Some orchids are fragrant only under certain conditions (Temp, light, time of day, etc.). It is not at all uncommon for the fragrance to change over time too.

[NYCorchidman]

My oncidium types and dendrobiums that are sccented, won't emit as much fragrance when there's not strong light and warmth.
Light and temperature is very important.

I'm not so sure about some my cattleyas. They don't seem to be affected very much.

Brassavola will be fragrant at night, but when I turn even the dimmest lamp on, the fragrance will go away quick. so I usually move the plant in the bathroom until I turn all the lights off before going to bed, then I move the plant back to the widowsill.

hope this helps a little bit.

[Stray59]

Kevinator:
Also, fragrance travels on moisture molecules, so the higher the humidity the stronger the smell. That's why my apartment smells like cat pee on a rainy day, unfortunately.

[tucker85]

Some of my cattleyas are only fragrant for a few hours in the morning. A few can be fragrant all day. Orchids that are pollinized by moths will be fragrant at night.

[JanS]

Becoming somewhat specialized in fragrant orchids in the past few years, I've noticed my share of scent intensity changes, both good and bad. Besides the diurnal variation many orchids exhibit in their intensity pattern, I echo the comments of the previous posts: warmth and humidity. As far as light, I am not sure if it's the actual light level or just increased warmth from the sunlight hitting the plants. I also think a watered plant may emit more scent than a dry one - perhaps due to overall increased transpiration. Also many orchids don't have a scent immediately after the flowers open but rather a few days later...then lose it well before the flower itself wilts.

I do know there is yet something else, though: Similarly to your situation, Kevinator, I bought a Max. tenuifolia a couple of years ago at a show and it had many flowers that scented the entire living room if not house with coconut each day. The plant is large and doing incredibly well with lots of steady healthy growth. Yet this past year its flowers were only half or even less powerful as far as the scent intensity than when I got it at the show, no matter how warm, humid, lighted the plant was. I also wish I knew what went "wrong"...

[Kevinator]

That happened to my Max. tenuifolia as well!
Orchidman, my Brassavola seems to do better now fragrance wise. I think the trick is fertilization. I noticed that the night after I fertilized it, the scent was stronger than before! Keeping all of these comments in mind I will be experimenting with different culturing techniques.

[Stray59]

I really think that you are on the right track. It makes sense that a well fed orchid will make more scent, along with stronger plants and flowers! As far as the 'trigger' various orchids have various triggers. My pescatorea has two flowers. If I go in and stick my nose in one when the lights are off - no scent. But about 2-3 minutes after the light is one, SMELLS abound! It really is that quick. The reverse is true of my brassovola nodosa. When lights are off - great smell. Once the lights are turned on - very quickly - no smell. In nature, temp and humidity is variable, but the sun is pretty constant so it makes sense that the light might be more influencing than perhaps the other factors.
Just my thoughts.
Steve