A variety of orchids are by distinguished by their different fragrances, and this is one area that could use more attention by many orchid growers, in respect to their orchid collections. It is estimated that approximately 60% of all the varieties of orchids use their unique scent to attract pollinators, seeking out nectar for food, as well as pollen. Some even imitate the pheromone of female insects, in enticing the male insects to try and mate with the actual flower. The individual fragrance is utilized by plants to attract insects – mainly bees, moths and butterflies – in order to pollinate the flowers. In addition to these interesting facts about orchids, a variety of the species of orchids give off fragrances which are similar to the smell of rotting meat – the flowers look that way also – to attract flies which serve as their pollinators.
The most famous and fragrant of all orchids is the Oncidium Sharry Baby(sometimes referred to and mispronounced as Sherry Baby), that has a smell like milk chocolate. The Orchid Forum has a great picture that serves as a great example – a full and mature example:
A simple search on the internet will show them for sale and widely available from numerous sources. If you’re lucky, you may even find them in your local hardware store or a home improvement superstore in the orchid aisles.
Another family of sweet-smelling orchids is the Cattleya Alliance. The most recognized is the Rhyncholaelia digbyana, a very strong, fragrant orchid known to be used frequently in the breeding of Cattleya hybrids. It has beautifully attractive fragrance, exhibiting a citrus scent, and is produced after the sundown. A unique characteristic of this sort of orchid is that it is pollinated at night by the common moth.
Compact, small orchids have been produced recently through genetic breeding. Affectionately referred to as Mini-Catts, they have nice flowers and a great fragrance for the size. Much of the aromatic qualities are derived from the larger parent flower, and the vivid color is derived from the small parent flower. Classified in the Sophronitis genus, and known for being a near odorless orchid, it requires only its bright colored flowers to attract its pollinators – primarily humming-birds.
Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis, the most popular of the carrion orchids(rotten meat-smelling), attract flies and some stingless bees as pollinators. Just by looking at a picture like this one, you can notice that the dark, red flowers appear to be similar to raw meat, and attract flies by their smell and sight to pollinate their flowers.
The fragrance characteristics of orchids is becoming an authoritative category in the judging of orchids at floral exhibitions, and it has been designated as a new, additional criteria by many orchid enthusiasts, the most famous being the Japanese Prize, International Orchid Show. We can only hope that this becomes the start of an ideal, continuing trend, as the flowers can be appreciated for their utter beauty, and the overall fragrance of orchids as well.
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