Fredclarkeara After Dark 'Sunset Valley Orchids Black Pearl'

[Hawaiian Sunshine]

Thought I'd share photos of my blooming Fdk. After Dark. It is a plant that I received in a 2-inch pot from the late Richard Takafuji of Orchid Center 4-5 years ago. The plant is now in a 4-inch plastic pot with New Zealand Sphagnum Moss as the media. I had a difficult time blooming this plant so following the advice of another grower, I withheld watering for 3-4 weeks. In doing so, the nice lush green leaves on the front bulb turned brown and fell off. Two flower spikes then appeared and this is the result. The spike on the left has 20 flowers and the one on the right has 18 flowers.


Fredclarkeara After Dark 'Sunset Valley Orchids Black Pearl' by hawaiiansunshine, on Flickr


Fredclarkeara After Dark 'Sunset Valley Orchids Black Pearl' by hawaiiansunshine, on Flickr


Fredclarkeara After Dark 'Sunset Valley Orchids Black Pearl' by hawaiiansunshine, on Flickr

[NYCorchidman]

Great photos! How do you make the background so white?

[Hawaiian Sunshine]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Great photos! How do you make the background so white?

Thanks Bud. I used a white background material that I purchased online from a photo supplier. I believe it is a special fabric for photographers. It works well with my flash setup. I'm pretty happy with the results here. A black background which I normally use for photographing my orchids would definitely not have worked.

[isurus79]

Well grown plant and great pics Mel!

[tuvoc]

Awesome. Well done.

Kim

[Vanda lover]

Beautiful! I have never seen one of these.

[NYCorchidman]

I want to replace my Monn. Millenium Magic with this one. I like the flower shape on this one much better. looks kind of like cascading cymbidium, yet much smaller plant size.

Does it have fragrance?

I guess it takes the typical catasetum care?
Can you share personal secrets regarding the culture?

Mainly, I would like to know how much light you give your plant during the growth phase, the care in the fall right before the bloom emerge, and during the rest period.

Thanks in advance!

[Hawaiian Sunshine]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

I want to replace my Monn. Millenium Magic with this one. I like the flower shape on this one much better. looks kind of like cascading cymbidium, yet much smaller plant size.

Does it have fragrance?

I guess it takes the typical catasetum care?
Can you share personal secrets regarding the culture?

Mainly, I would like to know how much light you give your plant during the growth phase, the care in the fall right before the bloom emerge, and during the rest period.

Thanks in advance!

Fragrance: Yes, there is a distinct fragrance. I like the fragrance. It's not anything offensive.

Care/culture: I had the plant growing under 50% shade. During most of the year it received weekly fertilizing along with my other plants.

Special Handling: Through September the plant had very lush green leaves. It was on a bench mixed in with the other plants. In October I started to dry out the plant. I hung the plant under cover (still exposed to sunlight) and cut out all watering and fertilizing. The leaves started drying out and eventually fell off. In early November the flower spikes started to appear. I restarted watering (once per week) and watched the spikes grow, bud and eventually flower.

The plant is growing in New Zealand Sphagnum Moss. It went from a 2-inch clay pot when I received it 4-5 years ago to a 3-inch clay pot and then to a 4-inch plastic pot. The plant has not been divided since I got it. The plant has bloomed once before but with only one spike with fewer and smaller flowers.

I hope this is informative. Please remember that I am in Hawaii where we have tropical temperatures and sunshine almost all year round. We don't have freezing weather and snow. 60 degrees is considered pretty cold by many of us. I hesitate giving cultural tips because my conditions are so different from yours.

[kikitastrophe]

Originally Posted by Hawaiian Sunshine

Fragrance: Yes, there is a distinct fragrance. I like the fragrance. It's not anything offensive.

I was trying to place the very unusual, sweet/musky fragrance and I have decided it reminds me of after shave - hence.... After Dark! Anyone else agree?

[Hawaiian Sunshine]

Originally Posted by kikitastrophe

I was trying to place the very unusual, sweet/musky fragrance and I have decided it reminds me of after shave - hence.... After Dark! Anyone else agree?

You're right. It does have a sweet/musky after shave fragrance.