Nice Michael! I love essential oils. Ylang ylang is one of my favorites. Fragrance heaven. I've never smelt the flower in person but the oil is so great I don't care if I do, so I understand exactly what you were saying. I still hope your champaca blooms!

I bought a bottle of ylang ylang essential oil a year or so ago, because, based on what I've read on this and other forums, conditions have to be almost uber-tropical for the perfume to develop, and there is no way I could replicate those. I have smelled the flowers once, on my first visit to Kaua'i a billion years ago, and don't even remember where I found the tree (although I know it was in the interior of the island). I put a drop on a wadded up tissue and just let it waft. I love it too!

Michael, you are way too funny!! I have thought of doing that. I just can't seem to get any of mine past the winter months..The leaves all turn black and fall off then the branches die after 2 months into winter..It's so depressing. I have had to start over three times. I think it's time to get the bottle.