Orchids belong to one of the most diverse families in the plant kingdom. While they are known and appreciated for their variety of flowers, some have also developed an assortment of smells and strategies to attract pollinators. From the sweet perfume of Phalaenopsis bellina to the intense fragrance of Maxillaria tenuifolia, learn about the different smells that orchids produce and take in the scents at the Fragrance Box in Gardens by the Bay’s latest orchid display in Cloud Forest.
Friday, 19 Apr – Sunday, 13 Oct 2019 | 9.00am – 9.00pm | Admission charge to Cloud Forest applies.
ORCHID HIGHLIGHTS
Orchids can be categorised into four basic fragrance groups – Delicate Floral, Sweet Floral, Spicy Floral and Intense Floral. Orchids featured may vary as the display is refreshed periodically.
Oncidium Sharry Baby ‘Yuki Sakura’
Scent Group: Delicate Floral
Similar to its namesake ‘Yuki Sakura’, the Oncidium Sharry Baby’s flowers are maroon with white tips on the petals and when many, this variety resemble white Cherry Blossoms. A hybrid between Oncidium Jamie Sutton x Oncidium Honolulu, this orchid emits a mild vanilla or chocolatey fragrance.
Phalaenopsis bellina
Scent Group: Sweet Floral
Native to Borneo, Phalaenopsis bellina can be found growing in shady, humid, lowland and swampy riverine forests. This variety is highly fragrant and is commonly used in breeding to produce scented Phalaenopsis.
Miltoniopsis Playgirl ‘Cha-cha’
Scent Group: Sweet Floral
Commonly known as Pansy Orchids, the Miltoniopsis Playgirl ‘Cha-cha’ variety is a hybrid between Miltoniopsis Seine and Miltoniopsis Memoria Ida Seigel. Its attractive clusters of white flowers are patterned with striking pink and yellow colors, while the fragrant smell is alike to the famous Thai dish – Tom Yam Soup.
Acineta chrysantha
Scent Group: Spicy Floral
The Acineta chrysantha variety is native to countries like Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama. Its flowers are large sized and are known to emit spicy floral notes, reminiscent of cloves.
Maxillaria rufescens
Scent Group: Sweet Floral
Maxillaria rufescens, commonly known as Light Fox-Red Maxillaria, is a species found in the Amazon Basin of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, the Guianas and Brazil. The flowers are orange-yellow with red specks on the lips, and the scent is akin to vanilla.
Rhyncholaeliocattleya Duh’s Wisdom ‘Dreamy Star’
Scent Group: Intense Floral
This hybrid between Rhyncholaelia digbyana × Rhyncholaeliocattleya Golden Regal is an award winning variety, receiving a First Class Certificate (FCC) by the American Orchid Society as a measure of its flower quality. Its large yellow flowers are intensely fragrant, emitting a deep citrus smell.
