The subjectivity of scent
mxk3 z5b_MI
10 years ago
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linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
10 years agogardenweed_z6a
10 years agoRelated Discussions
Rose with apple scent
Comments (2)I have Greenmantle, which is a Eglanteria and a lovely rose. I'm not sure if it's the flowers or foliage that smells like apples. I also have Lady Penzance and she has a strong apple fragrance. Both are once bloomers and rambly climbers. The flowers are small and singles....See MoreMost scented roses?
Comments (29)Jack Harkness, the talented and famous rose hybridizer noted that different plants of the same type of rose can have variable strengths of scent. This was noted in the United States after budwood ( tiny cuttings from a rosebush) sent of "Ena Harkness" a red Hybrid Tea, to America. All the plants that were grown from that budwood grew into rosebushes of Ena Harkness that bore roses with no scent at all. While the other plants of 'Ena Harkness" grown in the U.K. were famous for their strong fragrance. -the problem was solved after new budwood was collected in England from a different plant of 'Ena Harkness' and this was sent to the U.S. where the budded plants grew into rosebushes that bore fragrant roses. I noticed scent variability on one particular plant of "Etoile de Lyon" when I was volunteering at a public rose garden. The right side of the plant bore quite fragrant roses, an obvious 7 on a scale of 10. the upper left side bore roses with a light scent (3 to 4), and the lower left side of the plant bore roses that had no scent at all, (0 out of 10.) I invited several of the other volunteers, after showing me that they could detect scent in other cultivars of Old Garden Tea roses in the garden to come over to the bush and grade the scent in each of the 4 parts of the plant, -they each came up with the same identical results, as I had. We were all surprised by the answers being identical. 7, on one part of the plant, 3 to 4 on a different area, and zero scent all on the same plant, at the same time. I wouldn't use that plant as a mother plant, unless I marked the most fragrant section before taking cuttings, and if it were the mother plant from which cuttings were taken, in a rose nursery, I believe it would produce some rosebushes that would produce roses with no scent, other plants with light scent and some with a moderate scent,, depending on what part of the mother plant that the cuttings were taken from. I had the same thing happen to me, as once happened with ' Ena Harkness'. I took 8 cuttings from a Catos Cluster" a pink Noisette that has a damask rose type scent. Only one cutting of the 8 cuttings I took produced a plant that bore roses that were obviously more fragrant than the other 7 bushes, which produced roses that were lightly scented or barely scented. I gave those plants to persons who don't propagate roses. I think of this type of thing as being "genetic scent instability in roses" due to it not being a result of the person smelling it, or cultivation methods and means. Lux. P.S. This took more space then I intended, I'm very interested in scent in roses and spoke to a scientist about it, there are more than 20 genes that determine scent in roses, and since there are color sports, in roses, I believe there are scent sports too. Lux....See Moretaste is subjective...
Comments (12)Even those four taste qualities (Saltiness, sourness, spiciness, sweetness.) are not perceived equally by each individual. Many people (like my DW) perceived sourness with more (or less) intensity. Saltiness perception can be affected by the current salinity of the individual at a particular moment in time. I would think that one's blood sugar level might skew one's perception of sweetness. And, I think we can all agree that some folks like habaneros and some of us can't handle a Jalapeno. Now, that doesn't change the qualities of the tomato or pepper being tested/tasted. That is the only constant in this scenario. Science has proven that "taste-buds" are dispersed differently in all human beings. Different folks use differing amounts of how something smells as an integral part of their taste perception. Those scent detection receptors are dispersed differently from one person to the next as well. Clearly, no two folks will have the same taste experience. I've got relatives that think the variety Yellow Pear is tart and full flavored. I, on the other hand, think it is bland and relatively tasteless. For my money, that refractometer can show you how two different fruits are similar and may (only a maybe) allow you to find, through testing, a list of varieties that could (another maybe) have taste qualities you will enjoy. But, you will have to find ones that you like and test each one - thereby establishing the range of readings you like. For me, I taste them all. I like some sweetness and a full tartness punch in the finish. I put the very best on my sandwiches and in my salads. All of the rest of them go into my canned tomato juice. So, I can honestly say that I like them all. Ted...See MoreHand lotion for guests - suggestions please!
Comments (16)Since it's a wedding I would want something a little more upscale in a pretty bottle. Not sure if you would find unscented, but places like Home Goods, TJ Maxx, etc sell nice lotions. I have a set from HG that is lemon...hand soap and lotion on a little white tray..not expensive. You could also try the Body Shop or Bath and Body Works. I also like the idea of a pretty basket with trial sizes of lotions, mouth wash, hand wipes, etc, I think I would also put out those pretty paper hostess towels available at places like BBB(you could look for lotion there too). Your hand towel may not look so nice after a lot of people have used it....See Morekatob Z6ish, NE Pa
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