Fragrant White Cattleya?

[phalspital]

Can anyone recommend a showy white cattleya orchid with good perfume? I couldn't find one at the last orchid show--the white ones were beautiful but had no scent. I don't have room in my lineup for cattleya orchids that don't smell good!

[kspalding]

100% Cattleya 'Bow Bells'. We use to sell these in our nursery about a year ago and I was in heaven. Even with all the doors open the fragrance would fill the air.

[chingjervis]

Woooow! I hope they have that in bangkok! I want one, two, three...hehehe

[phalspital]

Thanks, Kim...I will track it down at local growers! I wonder how an orchid got named for a London church (?)

[kspalding]

When it smells that nice who cares, lol. I don't even know how to describe it other than floral. Not pepper or blah blah but like an actual field full of flowers with a sorta sweetness to it. I told you, heaven.

[phalspital]

It was a UK project and may have benefited the rebuilding of the church, apparently. I can only find one really expensive plant on the internet, none locally. I haven't looked for a Betts, which may fill the bill...and BTW, why is that recent thread closed?

[kspalding]

Depends on your location Phalspital. I knew of one other place here in Apopka that sold them but he is retiring this month and sold off the last of his to someone in California. Too bad you weren't looking when we had them they were only selling at $6-10 (depending on size) we are wholesale so we can sell cheaper. I took two home for free when we had them due to severe scale residue on the plant. Its been cleaned up and will shoot up new growth slowly (not all of which makes it) but seems to be recovering. Guess it needs another year in recovery but considering how far it has come I will wait as long as it wants me to, lol.

[Lin Goncalves]

To KSPALDING - I admire you for your patience in recovering dis-eased plants. I was given around 30 Cattleyas almost two years ago - so badly neglected, sun-burnt, scorched, dehydrated etc...I have persevered and although I lost quite a few, those which have survived are looking very good and have made a fantastic recovery. I will be interested to see (a) how long it takes for me to get a bloom and (b) what they are once they flower!!!! The few labels were totally faded out and illegible which makes me believe they were originally from a very old collection. This has been one HELL of an exercise in patience and attention! Which is paying off. No doubt any blooms appearing will be going up here for ID !!! Some unifoliates and some bifoliates....watch this space!

[phalspital]

OK, folks...after some research into Bow Bells, I'm now actively pursuing this beauty, a child of Bob Betts x Bow Bells called Jose Marti 'Mother's Favorite' (presumably because it is a spring bloomer for Mother's Day?) The local orchid breeder holds his open house soon, so I'll ask him. Failing that, I may have to order online. There don't seem to be many sources!

[chingjervis]

Really?! Please update us! And pm us where to order please...thanks