Fred Clarke is a huge gift to the Orchid community -OR- I finally got my black orchid

[SouthPark]

Those blooms brings tears (of joy) to my eyes. I wonder if Fred accidentally gave you the wrong one hahaha. The prized possession hahaha.

[OrchidBro]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

he says, I have this other cross I did a division of you can have that, it’s just as black.

For clarification purposes, when he said "you can have that" did he gift it to you or did you buy it?

[DirtyCoconuts]

I paid, and quite happily

It was $50 for the plant which is right in the middle to lower end of the cost of the other divisions on the list that they keep rotating.

I thought it was a steal in dormancy and it is clearly a bargain with this show going on

[OrchidBro]

Thanks! It is a wonderful purchase and I think I would definitely be happy with that plant as well, regardless of the cost,

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

The smell is heavenly. I can’t really describe it beyond sweet and floral

I'll have to look into this one. Black Pearl smelled like rotten fruit to my nose. Not totally disgusting, but I sure wouldn't take a bite of a piece of fruit that smelled that way!

[SG in CR]

Wow, that's one hell of a display. I've never seen an orchid with that dark of a flower. Are they really black or just very dark purple?

[DirtyCoconuts]

I have not gotten to spend time with it in sunlight yet but it looks BLACK

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by SG in CR

Wow, that's one hell of a display. I've never seen an orchid with that dark of a flower. Are they really black or just very dark purple?

If backlit, they are actually a very dark burgundy. (Like stained glass) But the color is so saturated, that when lighted from the front, looks very black.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Den. Misc by J Solo, on Flickr

Den. Misc by J Solo, on Flickr

Den. Misc by J Solo, on Flickr

and before i catch flame for the cheesy decorative pot it is in....i just wanted to add weight as it was shipped in a plastic pot and, as one might imagine, those massive plumes of flowers make it a little off center

[kraftyGal]

I am so excited to see your pics. Finally was able to purchase one of these and it should be here tomorrow. Now I want to get the Witchcraft next. That will be it for my little collection of black orchids until a new hybrid comes along. Haha