Re: florals and winter cold

[Guest guest]

>

> My grandmother grew Osmanthus in her yard in North

> Carolina. The blossoms smelled only in the cold

> winter time. The fragrance was far reaching and a

> sweet floral scent with a hint of citrus & spice have

> since seen osmanthus used as tea in Chinese stores.

> Lovely

> Bb

BB, it's funny that you mentioned this right now. I just came home,

pondering floral scents.

I received some wonderful samples with my last order from Eden

Botanical. Many I bought, but they were very generous in including quite

a few very special scents to try ( I still can't believe how many

samples they put in-and the quality, I could just go on raving. First

time order from EB, can you tell?)

I finally broke down to use this treassure chest of scents to make

something really special for my sister, for Chrismas. Well, working on

it on and off, it didn't go where I wanted it to go. Champaca, Pink

Lotus and Rose got lost really quick, even though I used the greatest of

care to avoid anything that might overpower them.

I thought maybe it's just me not being able to smell them, so I aske my

DS3's opinion - " mom, this is worst " -after some adjustments - " this is

EVEN worser " .... Want an honest answer, ask a child.....

After abandoning the project somewhere in the " late-early " morning

hours, I was sure I had to ditch it. Maybe it needs time, but I was

going to start over. I checked it again, put some on, forgot about it.

On my way into a store, the freezing cold wind hit me with a nice scent.

Faint but distinct. Not sweet, but really nice. Enough to make me stop

and look around-there just couldn't be anything in bloom. Walking on,

still sniffing, I realized that it was me that " smelled " - incredibly

enough, the scent I thought was dead seemed to bloom in the cold. I

could smell all the florals I had lost, nicely floating on an idea of

honey'd amber earth-hardly noticable, but there. And I thought it would

take warmth to bring them out...

Yes, I'm baffled. I'm still not sure if it's success or failure. I can

always tell her to go out and freeze to appreciate the scent LOL -not

likely. I'm usually not crazy about very floral scents, so I don't have

the experience, but they definitely got my attention now.

Just thought I share, since cold and blooms came up. Very interesting,

very tricky florals <G>

ne

[Guest guest]

sblessinghww <sblessinghww@...> wrote:

>

> My grandmother grew Osmanthus in her yard in North

> Carolina. The blossoms smelled only in the cold

> winter time. The fragrance was far reaching and a

> sweet floral scent with a hint of citrus & spice have

> since seen osmanthus used as tea in Chinese stores.

> Lovely

> Bb

BB, it's funny that you mentioned this right now. I just came home,

pondering floral scents.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>..

.. Champaca, Pink

Lotus and Rose got lost really quick, even though I used the greatest of

care to avoid anything that might overpower them.

I thought maybe it's just me not being able to smell them, so I aske my

DS3's opinion - " mom, this is worst " -after some adjustments - " this is

EVEN worser " .... Want an honest answer, ask a child.....

had to ditch it. Maybe it needs time, but I was

going to start over. I>>>>>>>>>>>

After abandoning the project somewhere in the " late-early " morning

hours, I was sure I checked it again, put some on, forgot about it.

On my way into a store, the freezing cold wind hit me with a nice scent.

Faint but distinct. Not sweet, but really nice. Enough to make me stop

and look around-there just couldn't be anything in bloom. Walking on,

still sniffing, I realized that it was me that " smelled " - incredibly

enough, the scent I thought was dead seemed to bloom in the cold. I

could smell all the florals I had lost, nicely floating on an idea of

honey'd amber earth-hardly noticable, but there. And I thought it would

take warmth to bring them out...

Yes, I'm baffled. I'm still not sure if it's success or failure.>>>>>>>>

Just thought I share, since cold and blooms came up. Very interesting,

very tricky florals

ne

Hi ne

How extraordinary ...... I have just been reading about the best times to

collect some plants...... some in the evening .... some in the morning.....how

you talk about blossoms smelling in the cold wintertime....... isn't the

botanical world amazing.

It makes me realise I must get to know more the critical moment for each plant

when it releases its perfume..... How insects are attracted for pollination by

the perfume and how leaves are scented rather than the flowers.... oh what a

world

I have noticed with natural botanical perfumes how heat or cold does affect

their perfume...... some I notice need warmth to open up.......as the cold

almost makes them close up within themself..... but your observations about cold

and perfume was really fascinating.

Thanks

Janita

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

>

> Hi ne

>

> How extraordinary ...... I have just been reading about the best times

to collect some plants...... some in the evening .... some in the

morning.....how you talk about blossoms smelling in the cold

wintertime....... isn't the botanical world amazing.

>

> It makes me realise I must get to know more the critical moment for

each plant when it releases its perfume..... How insects are attracted

for pollination by the perfume and how leaves are scented rather than

the flowers.... oh what a world

>

> I have noticed with natural botanical perfumes how heat or cold does

affect their perfume...... some I notice need warmth to open up.......as

the cold almost makes them close up within themself..... but your

observations about cold and perfume was really fascinating.

>

> Thanks

> Janita

>

Thanks Janita, but you know, I came up with one possible explanation. As

fragile as these scents are, the flowers might not be. I know my own

roses have many times produced, even after it has frosted several times,

and it's been cold. And they still smelled wonderful. So I conclude,

cold doesn't hurt them as much as too much heat (which does reduce the

scent). I lost them in a blend, being careful, but still (have to figure

that out). As the icy cold hit, all others closed up, leaving the

florals to stand out. Kind of like the comical volunteer situation, when

everyone steps back, leaving one poor sucker standing alone.

You are right though -nature is amazing. There are no mistakes. We get

to know the oils, by getting to know the plant-and the other way around.

What a privilege it is to have all these essences to play with.

ne

[Guest guest]

>

> > Don't agree with this, ne -- children do not

> > have a

> > well-developed sense of smell, no more than they

> > have well-developed

> > taste buds.

> >

>

>

> This is definitely true! My daughter hates any

> perfume that doesn't smell like candy. My son (3 yrs)

> loves all perfume and almost every essential oil or

> absolute that he has sniffed. He calls them my

> " smells " and asks if I will open some for him almost

> every day!

>

>

>

Anya, thank you for chiming in -about the flowers in your yard, and the

child perception.

You are amazing to answer all those posts that might not be answered,

not completed in any way. I just saw the long list of your posts. You're

really going above and beyond.

Yes, it would be interesting what pros might have to say, even though it

seems as if it's not usually a problem, since these flowers are so

extensively used in perfumery. It's most likely just my formulation, but

I found it funny when it happened. A true winter blend, reminding of

warm summer when it gets cold. The irony, I had named it " midsummer

dream " thinking of the memories of the most beautiful, lush, scented

summer, that is only a dream, even in summer, but that easily comes to

mind in the dead of winter. Divinity has a sometimes twisted sense of

humor, I guess the Muses do, too.

And yes, you are right about children's senses. They might not be fully

developed, but I find this applies mostly to scents we can consider

sensual. Both my boys 10 and 3 are all over my herbs and EOs,tinctures,

especially when I'm working on something. Often I just wait until late

night if I need to actually do something. But I give them learning

sessions with much dilluted oils, tinctures etc. We discuss all aspects,

do research, and blend. The older one gets to use oil/alcohol, and we

discuss all that, the little one gets to play with scented waters. And

they make " potions " They smell every bottle, and give me their oppinion

on everything. It doesn't even matter what I think, it's just really

interesting to hear their perception. Often the little one will tell me

something smells good, when I don't think it does. There is the clue for

limited perception, even though he usually doesn't ask to use those -so

I'm not really sure. Their favorites are evergreens, lavender, citrus

flowers(they can't have, too pricey). DS10 went nuts about Choya Loban

when it got here -can't blame him, I did, too. The Ambreine is beautiful

to me, they really didn't like it much. The Orris root I think is

divine- he thought I was nuts to pay for the tiny sample, with no

appreciation at all. So yes, sometimes limited by age, which is a good

thing. But there is so much they can love and explore. As I see it,

being involved in perfumery and scents at a young age, just might help

with development of all other senses, attitudes and perspectives. As

Mandy mentiones in her book, smell is the most neglected sense of all. I

just recently read that. I usually call it one of the most abused

senses.

Didn't mean for it to get so long.

Thanks, ne

[Guest guest]

At 06:24 PM 12/12/2006, you wrote:

> Hi ne

>

> How extraordinary ...... I have just been reading about the best

> times to collect some plants...... some in the evening .... some in

> the morning.....how you talk about blossoms smelling in the cold

> wintertime....... isn't the botanical world amazing.

>

> It makes me realise I must get to know more the critical moment

> for each plant when it releases its perfume..... How insects are

> attracted for pollination by the perfume and how leaves are scented

> rather than the flowers.... oh what a world

>

> Thanks

> Janita

ne, Janita -- many plants have their special " time of day " .

Carissa grandiflora smells best around 11 am until 2 pm. Dracena

fragrans and night blooming jasmine from 6-7 PM on through the night.

Miralabis jalapa from 4 PM on, hence its common name " Four O'Clocks " .

Anya McCoy

Anya's Garden of Natural Perfume http://anyasgarden.com

Artisan Natural Perfumers Guild http://artisannaturalperfumers.org

Natural Perfumers Community Group

/

[Guest guest]

At 11:06 PM 12/13/2006, you wrote:

>--- Anya <mccoy@...> wrote:

>

> > >DS3's opinion - " mom, this is worst " -after some

> > adjustments - " this is

> > >EVEN worser " .... Want an honest answer, ask a

> > child.....

> >

> > Don't agree with this, ne -- children do not

> > have a

> > well-developed sense of smell, no more than they

> > have well-developed

> > taste buds.

> >

>

>

>This is definitely true! My daughter hates any

>perfume that doesn't smell like candy. My son (3 yrs)

>loves all perfume and almost every essential oil or

>absolute that he has sniffed. He calls them my

> " smells " and asks if I will open some for him almost

>every day!

Hi

This links back to something I read many years ago about the

different stages of development of our tastebuds. Something along the

lines of the appreciation of salty foods, like anchovies or caviar

might not occur until age 28 or so. There were other examples of

tastes that developed at age 16, another at 21 or so, but I can't

remember them. It was so fascinating, and I've googled, trying to

find reference, but I can't.

Anya McCoy

Anya's Garden of Natural Perfume http://anyasgarden.com

Artisan Natural Perfumers Guild http://artisannaturalperfumers.org

Natural Perfumers Community Group

/

[Guest guest]

At 12:31 AM 12/14/2006, you wrote:

> > This is definitely true! My daughter hates any

> > perfume that doesn't smell like candy. My son (3 yrs)

> > loves all perfume and almost every essential oil or

> > absolute that he has sniffed. He calls them my

> > " smells " and asks if I will open some for him almost

> > every day!

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>Anya, thank you for chiming in -about the flowers in your yard, and the

>child perception.

>

>You are amazing to answer all those posts that might not be answered,

>not completed in any way. I just saw the long list of your posts. You're

>really going above and beyond.

I'm going crazy trying to keep up with all the posts, and the

neglected question ones always need a little push. Hey, nobody helped

with his " Osmanthus buddies " query, so I'm throwing it out

there -- help save your list mom some carpal tunnel and eye strain

and help him!

>And yes, you are right about children's senses. They might not be fully

>developed, but I find this applies mostly to scents we can consider

>sensual. Both my boys 10 and 3 are all over my herbs and EOs,tinctures,

>especially when I'm working on something.

snip....

Thanks for sharing this, it's fun to hear what goes on in a

child-filled fragrant household.

Anya McCoy

Anya's Garden of Natural Perfume http://anyasgarden.com

Artisan Natural Perfumers Guild http://artisannaturalperfumers.org

Natural Perfumers Community Group

/

[Guest guest]

ne, Janita -- many plants have their special " time of day " .

Carissa grandiflora smells best around 11 am until 2 pm. Dracena

fragrans and night blooming jasmine from 6-7 PM on through the night.

Miralabis jalapa from 4 PM on, hence its common name " Four O'Clocks " .

Anya McCoy

Now that would make a helpful list for tincturers and distillers to know what

times for what plants..... I wonder for bluebells?

Janita

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

At 08:29 PM 12/15/2006, you wrote:

>

>

>ne, Janita -- many plants have their special " time of day " .

>Carissa grandiflora smells best around 11 am until 2 pm. Dracena

>fragrans and night blooming jasmine from 6-7 PM on through the night.

>Miralabis jalapa from 4 PM on, hence its common name " Four O'Clocks " .

>

>

>

>

>Anya McCoy

>

> Now that would make a helpful list for tincturers and distillers

> to know what times for what plants..... I wonder for bluebells?

>

> Janita

I have no idea about bluebells, since they don't grow here, Janita --

perhaps a local plant lover can help you? Do you have local

agricultural agents to assist citizens as we do here? They may know.

Or, perhaps.....google! Google knows everything, eh?

Anya McCoy

Anya's Garden of Natural Perfume http://anyasgarden.com

Artisan Natural Perfumers Guild http://artisannaturalperfumers.org

Natural Perfumers Community Group

/

[Guest guest]

I have no idea about bluebells, since they don't grow here, Janita --

perhaps a local plant lover can help you? Do you have local

agricultural agents to assist citizens as we do here? They may know.

Or, perhaps.....google! Google knows everything, eh?

Anya McCoy

yes forestry people and people like that ....... Anya

My observation so far is on a warm spring day early evening the perfume is

good..... maybe that is the time.....

if the weather is cold the perfume is not so prominent....

it is now 3am in the morning...... it has taken me 2 hours to read all and

catch up.... but done and feel good.... g'night fragranteurs...

Janita

---------------------------------

All new " The new Interface is stunning in its simplicity and ease

of use. " - PC Magazine

[Guest guest]

Anya <mccoy@...> wrote: At 08:29 PM 12/15/2006, you wrote:

>

>

>ne, Janita -- many plants have their special " time of day " .

>Carissa grandiflora smells best around 11 am until 2 pm. Dracena

>fragrans and night blooming jasmine from 6-7 PM on through the night.

>Miralabis jalapa from 4 PM on, hence its common name " Four O'Clocks " .

>

>

>

>

>Anya McCoy

>

> Now that would make a helpful list for tincturers and distillers

> to know what times for what plants..... I wonder for bluebells?

>

> Janita

I have no idea about bluebells, since they don't grow here, Janita --

perhaps a local plant lover can help you? Do you have local

agricultural agents to assist citizens as we do here? They may know.

Or, perhaps.....google! Google knows everything, eh?

I was remember something I learned in a botany class about moth-pollinated

plants. Since moths are generally nocturnal the flowers that they pollinate

tend to be white, often large and showy and heavily scented. And their greatest

fragrance is at night. I would guess that bee pollinated may have their

greatest fragrance during the day?

Here's a link about pollinators and flowers:

http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/pollinator.html

It says towards the bottom that beetle pollinated flowers may be spicy, fruity

or similar to decaying fruit (like those pollinated by flies).

And of course at the very bottom they cite Wikipedia, say they lifted their text

entirely from there.

This was an interesting site, wish there was more about fragrance!

Elise

http://www.tambela.com

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Elise Pearlstine <pearlstineelise@...> wrote:

Anya wrote: At 08:29 PM 12/15/2006, you wrote:

>

>

>ne, Janita -- many plants have their special " time of day " .

>Carissa grandiflora smells best around 11 am until 2 pm. Dracena

>fragrans and night blooming jasmine from 6-7 PM on through the night.

>Miralabis jalapa from 4 PM on, hence its common name " Four O'Clocks " .

>

>

>

>

>Anya McCoy

>

> Now that would make a helpful list for tincturers and distillers

> to know what times for what plants..... I wonder for bluebells?

>

> Janita

I have no idea about bluebells, since they don't grow here, Janita --

perhaps a local plant lover can help you? Do you have local

agricultural agents to assist citizens as we do here? They may know.

Or, perhaps.....google! Google knows everything, eh?

I was remember something I learned in a botany class about moth-pollinated

plants. Since moths are generally nocturnal the flowers that they pollinate tend

to be white, often large and showy and heavily scented. And their greatest

fragrance is at night. I would guess that bee pollinated may have their greatest

fragrance during the day?

Here's a link about pollinators and flowers:

http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/pollinator.html

It says towards the bottom that beetle pollinated flowers may be spicy, fruity

or similar to decaying fruit (like those pollinated by flies).

And of course at the very bottom they cite Wikipedia, say they lifted their text

entirely from there.

This was an interesting site, wish there was more about fragrance!

Elise

http://www.tambela.com

Thanks Anya and Elise for some good pointers........ I will have a peruse on

both google and Wikipedia for info.....

Mabey has a good book about wild plants entitled Flora

Brittanica....(the definative new guide to wild flowers, plants and trees)

which talks about the bluebells (Hyacinthoids non-scripta) and my crab apple

trees (saxon period used them as boundaries..... fascinating as these are

exactly doing that / crabapple trees) Interestingly The Botanical Society of the

British Isles symbol is the bluebell. s book talks of the habitat and

species but not about pollination.... concerning the bees bluebells come out

late spring the bees are just stirring.......the proliferation comes from the

seed and bulbs.........

Janita

---------------------------------

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