@Paula Steiner scented rose blooms last a shorter period of time compared to those with no scent. If you have read of a rose having a "heavy petal substance", that was code to exhibitors that the rose would last a long time when cut and likely be suitable for exhibition. Scent is either expressed by the petals or the stamen. In modern roses, it's mainly the petals. The oils and alcohols which comprise scent arise from "petioles", pores on the petal surfaces. These oils and alcohols are very chemically active and heat up to allow for the scent to be expressed. Petals with heavy "substance" have a heavy wax surface or skin which covers the petioles, preventing any possible oils and alcohols from reacting and becoming scent. If you want a cut flower which lasts a long time in vase; can withstand a lot of handling and endure shipping, you want the heavy petal substance (hence, lack of scent) so your product arrives in good shape and lasts a long while once received. Yes, there are florists who sell scented roses, however their fragrant blooms do NOT last AS long as cut flowers as those possessing no scent. Yes, there ARE "florist" and "exhibition" roses with scent, however, they do NOT last as long cut as those without scent. What's the use of a rose that doesn't smell like a rose? A commercial product you can actually advertise will arrive in a good retail shape after shipment; which will endure being worked into a floral arrangement and be in retail ready shape and last a week to ten days in a vase if properly cared for. Or, a rose you can cut at 3 AM from the garden in the dark; shove in an ice chest and drive several hours to a rose show, then abuse and molest it to look the way you desire and last in less than ideal conditions until judges finish picking it apart.

I'm looking to trade for some Pelargonium (scented geranium) seeds -- any kind except for nutmeg, lemon and rose (which are the ones that I already have). If you don't see what you want on my trade list, please ask. I've only listed varieties where I have at least ten seeds of it -- there are many others (leftover from my indoor winter planting) where I didn't think there was enough left to list them.

Hi Ed: I don't know if I can answer all your questions, but I will offer my experience. As a child growing up, my mother used to grow a little plant on the front balcony which she called "Sweet Geranium". This plant (I now realize) had the familiar indented leaves like other Geraniums, but it never flowered. However, when gently stroked, the leaves gave off a wonderful perfume. I have a few Geraniums in my garden which flower, but the leaves of one in particular produces a beautiful perfume when stroked. The scent remains on your hand for some time. The flowers have no scent that I am aware of. Perhaps all these scented Geraniums of which you speak carry their scent in their foliage, not their flowers. Hope someone else can more definitively answer your questions.

Hi, tomatela. I've had at least 4 or 5 different ones of these over the years, from different sources, and a scentless one I've never encountered. One scentless one from seed could be possible, but four out of the same high-fragrance plant doesn't seem genetically likely. My guess is it's either the youth of your plants (cutting-started ones would bloom sooner and heavier), or something about your conditions (which you don't discuss). Larger plants with more blooms would waft further. A young plant with just three or so flower clusters might actually not waft much. Your page doesn't say where you are, but cestrum want the hottest, sunniest place in the garden, and lots of water. Both bloom amount and scent will be better in a hotter, sunnier place. I would give a balanced fertilizer instead of too much of the bloom-booster, as more growth, more blooms on cestrum, which blooms on new growth. I also pinch the tips as they grow--this keeps the plant thicker, and results in more blooms. I would say have some patience and then see what happens.