Fragrant Orchids

Oncidium Sharry Baby

Introduction

Most of the orchids we get from our local florist are usually not fragrant.  Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium and many other commonly available orchids simply have little to no scent.

But there are a few out there with some magical perfume – enough to permeate your entire home. Most are for collectors and enthusiasts and are rarely ever available as a take home plant.

Here are some varieties of Cattleya, Dendrobium, BLC (Brassolaeliocattleya), LC Laeliocatlleya, and Oncidium - that if you find them in bloom – don’t hesitate to take them home.

                Cattleya Irene Holguin “Brown Eyes”, or Cattleya “White Reception”

                BLC Sung Ya Green “Mailman”, or BLC Hauserman Holiday “Christmas”

                LC Betty Ford “York”

                Oncidium Sharry Baby “Sweet Fragrance”, or “Red Fantasy”

Fragrance

Fragrant Orchids are a bit fussy about fragrance !

They may smell great in an orchid grower’s greenhouse - but not necessarily in your windowsill. That is because different growing conditions may produce different results.

The time of day is also important - some are fragrant in the morning, while others only at night.

Age is important too - blooms may not be very fragrant when they open but get more so as the flower ages.

Some with just a few flowers will fill a room with fragrance, others will require your nose to be right in the flower !

Overall - fragrance is usually stronger in natural light as opposed to artificial light, and much stronger on a bright or sunny day, than on a dark or cloudy one.

Your best buy

If you are a fragrant orchid enthusiast – then I don’t need to tell you what to get or where to get it from. 

For the rest of us – start with one of the most readily available fragrant orchids out there - Oncidium Sharry baby - and any of its cultivars and intergeneric crosses.

I’ve seen them in florist shops, big box stores, and even a few grocery stores.  It’s also one of the easiest to grow and re bloom.

One Sharry Baby coming up ?

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Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBA

All photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK