Many people seem surprised to hear that some orchids are fragrant yet it is estimated that about 75% emit some level of detectable chemical compound, and in Japan there are orchid societies and shows dedicated to fragrant orchids. The fragrance of some orchids can only be picked up by the inquisitive nose, while the chemical compounds of others are stronger and still others release a putrid smell that can be quite over powering.

Just as with other types of flowers, orchids use fragrance to attract pollinators. Different orchid species have different pollinators, so the fragrances of these species differ considerably, with some not even detectable by the human nose. The fragrance of an orchid may also change during the course of the day and not only in strength; the fragrance itself can change. Most of the flowers pollinated by bees are fragrant in the morning while moth-pollinated flowers have a stronger scent at night.
Angraecoids are a group of orchids found mostly in Africa and the adjacent islands such as Madagascar. Most of these plants have white or cream coloured flowers that are scented at night only. This is to attract the moths which pollinate these flowers. The scent of this group of orchids can be described as a combination of cloves, pepper, gardenia and jasmine, and the scent varies from species to species.

Cattleyas have a very wide range of scents, and are considered to be some of the most fragrant of the orchids. Most of the Cattleya species have a distinct fragrance and the hybrids have combinations of these different scents, making for a wide bouquet of gorgeous perfumes ranging from a soft rose to citrus and even a very peppery fragrance. Other fragrances include carnation and sweet pea.

Some of the heaviest orchid flowers belong to the genus Stanhopea. These flowers are large and quite showy, and have the most magnificent fragrance. It is so strong that one can smell the plant long before it is in sight. Unfortunately, it takes so much energy from the plant to produce these large flowers and the strong fragrance that these blooms seldom last longer than two to three days.

Most of the soft-cane dendrobium species have a scent, albeit sometimes a very faint one. The nobile-type dendrobium hybrids all have a lovely sweet fragrance.
Neofinetias are small Japanese orchids related to those in the genus Vanda. The Neofinetias produce charming white flowers with a very strong jasmine-like scent, both during the day and at night. In Japan many orchid societies are dedicated to growing and exhibiting a single species, NEOFINETIA falcata, for its flowers, foliage and especially fragrance, and orchid judges are trained to evaluate the fragrance. The plants are family heirlooms, treasured by their owners.

Some of the Chinese Cymbidium species are better known for their fragrance than the beauty of their flowers. These flowers are normally relatively small and have dull colours, but a subtle fragrance. As with the Neofinetias, these cymbidiums are normally exhibited on their own in shows.
Zygopetalum species are easy to grow outside in most South African climates, only needing protection from the worst cold during winter. These plants normally have a very strong fragrance, which tends to be a spicy mix of the fragrance of cloves and pepper.
There are very fragrant species and hybrids in the Catasetum group, which originates from South and Central America. CYCNOCHES chlorochilon has a very distinct banana fragrance, while the sweet smell of cherries is very noticeable when you encounter a flower of Cycnodes ‘Wine Delight’.

The pansy orchids are renowned for their beautiful flowers, which can last for a long period in the home. The large colourful flowers have a very strong aroma which is normally a combination reminiscent of the scent of roses and sweet peas.

The genus Bulbophyllum is one of the largest orchid genera. The size, form and colour of the flowers range considerably. Most Bulbophyllums are known for their strong, unpleasant smell – the flowers are mostly pollinated by flies and blowflies and the flowers have the colours and the corresponding smell of carrion in order to attract them. The odour of some Bulbophyllums can only be described as putrid and the flowers of one in particular are of the foulest smelling in the plant world. BULBOPHYLLUM beccarii has a creeping habit with reasonably long rhizomes, small pseudobulbs and large funnel-shaped leaves. It produces inflorescences of dark, wine-coloured flowers with white in the centre, resembling a maggot in rotting flesh. The fragrance of this species has been described as resembling the smell of an elephant graveyard (that contains no less than 1000 elephant carcasses in various stages of decay).
Commercially available vanilla essence is extracted from the seedpod of an orchid, VANILLA planifolia. The flowers of this species have hardly any scent though, and it does not compare at all to the wonderful fragrance of the fermented pods.

Fashion designer Tom Ford reputedly paid a large sum of money to Fred Clarke, an orchid grower from California, in order to be allowed to produce a new perfume based on the unique fragrance of Mr Clarke’s famous black orchid, a Catasetum inter generic hybrid called ‘Fredclarkeara After Dark’.

Information supplied by Plantae Orchids, www.plantae.co.za, in order to promote the Gauteng International Orchid Show and Conference, which runs from 24 September to 26 September at Safari Garden Centre in Pretoria. This event is precursor to the 21st World Orchid Conference, which will take place in 2014 in South Africa. Visit www.ont.co.za for more information.