I Lost the Name of a Particular Cym Vendor
 

Hello! I had read a post on OB that had a link to a phenomenal cymbidium supplier and I thought I had bookmarked them but it turns out that I did not. Oops!

Now I can not remember their name! I know they were USA based and had a staggering number of cym varieties. Can you think of anyone who might fit that description?

In particular I would really love to get a reasonably priced ($25-$40 USD) specimen of Cymbidium Kiwi Midnight 'Geyserland'.

Can you help me?

Could it be this vendor?

Cymbidium at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate

Though they don't list the one your looking for, perhaps they might know where you could acquire one?

Judi

Yes! I think that might be the vendor!

Thanks!

Hundreds of vendors all over the world sell the plant you are looking for. It has been mericloned in the millions. Do not pay more than $25 to $35 US for a blooming size division, as it is simply not worth the hype, in many people's opinion. The color fades and the form goes to pot shortly after opening.

I did not check to see where you are located but I know Hatfield Orchids in Ventura, Ca has divisions if SBOE does not.

Hmmm...interesting. Yeah the mere mention of the word "black" in the orchid world seems to raise the prices 200%. lol!

I had bought one off a gal on ebay for $16 but it was a unhealthy specimen and quickly died. :(

Cym, what are some of your favorite Cymbidiums? I am just now starting to really get into this genus.

---------- Post added at 01:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:50 PM ----------

In particular I am looking for a nice red and a nice pale pink. :)

Before you go hog wild on Cyms, be sure you have the conditions to be successful with them, primarily how you plan to deal with the freezing temps.

An excellent source of high quality plants and one which will ship, aside from SBOE, is Casa de las Orquideas in Solana Beach, Ca. Visit their website and I think you will find some awesome reds which may meet your criteria.

Oh, I have plenty of space indoors to overwinter them.:)
The 2 I have did very well this past year. I know they need a cool spell to flower, so I keep them outside a little later than my other orchids.

In that case, I reiterate my recommendation to check out the Casa web site. Although they have many seedlings of quality, they also have mericlones and photos of them so you are assured of exactly what your plant(s) will look like.

In regard to my favorites, since I grow exclusively for the show bench and displays, these plants generally are not the first choice with the novice grower. I do believe in diversity in a collection, so I also have some primary hybrids/antique types to round out the collection of species and show bench plants.

There are a lot of interesting things on the Casa site. Thanks! :)

Loren Batchman, the originator of Casa de las Orquideas in California, hybridized for high color and for the unusual in spots, stripes and pelorics. Since his passing two years ago, his son and daughters have carried on in the same tradition.

Hello, is anyone aware where I could currently get one of these flowers, blooming or ready to bloom? I'd pay almost any price. It's a particular need for a very special project.

Old thread... not sure if you are looking for a particular Cymbidium (specific cultivars of specific crosses that were readily available 7 years ago are likely not available now) but if you are just looking for a blooming Cym, Santa Barbara Orchid Estate or Casa de las Orquideas may be able to help you. However, it is still very early in the Cymbidium season - some, that have some of the warmer-growing species in their background, are blooming or getting ready to bloom, but most won't start doing much until November or December, most of the reds likely are even later.

Hi! So sorry for that lack of clarity.

I am looking for a cymbidium kiwi midnight 'geyserland' currently or soon in bloom.

It is for a very special photography project for which I need a black orchid. I think it almost definitely would have to be a cymbidium, and that so far is the only species I've seen that has the exact aesthetic I'd need, but I am also interested in others perhaps.

Do you know where else I might ask in order to find one?

You'll just have to get lucky... some are in collections, people make divisions. Some just get donated to societies, some may get sold on eBay.

Also, this particular one (even if you could find one) won't be in bloom now... they typically bloom in the spring, like February or March.

I see. Thanks for all the info.
Anything come to mind when you think of 'black cymbidium orchid currently in bloom'?

In general, the reds (and the very dark ones are really dark burgundy rather than really "black") are relatively late bloomers - I would assume that it has to do with the genetics, the species in the background of the various hybrids contribute bloom time among other characteristics such as size, shape, and color. That's why with a big collection, one can have Cyms - different plants, different colors - in bloom from October or November to May or even June. (I only have about one or two Cymbidium-less months) You can't argue with Mother Nature....

So true!

Well, if a thought comes to mind suggesting an orchid that might be seen to have a lusty darkness about it (even emotionally / aesthetically / metaphorically speaking, rather than necessarily being super dark in literal color), a lustily dark orchid that is currently in bloom or soon to bloom, please let me know about it!

Orchids are a commitment... not a manufactured product. In fact, for most orchid people, the thought that one might buy one in bloom to be an ornament and then toss it like a Christmas Poinsettia, is painful. Most of us got our start nurturing cast-off Phalaenopsis (or no-name Cymbidiums) . You need to love them out of bloom, too... and then the reward of having one flower under your care may lead to an orchid addiction.:biggrin:

so maybe it needs to be a cymbidium but if it just needs to be a black flower I think DC posted a great one recently so flowering now...

brassiliorchis schunkeana- blackest flower i have

and DirtyCoconuts Plant Porn!!

I did not ever say I was going to discard it, did I?

I am a lifelong lover of flowers and an herb grower myself.

I just said there is a project I must see through this month which requires a lustily dark flower!


---------- Post added at 05:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:18 PM ----------

Wow, awesome suggestion. Love it! Anyone have any others, let me know!

You could check with Sunset Valley Orchids ... the home of Fredclarkeara After Dark ... not sure if the cultivar 'Black Pearl' is available, but they have bred other dark flowers in the Catasetum group. The website has mostly (or completely) seedlings, but they might have some things in bloom (or better, close to bloom, blooming ones would be very difficult to ship) since we're heading into show season and they do sell blooming plants at shows. (If already in bloom, probably not ship-able, the slightest jostle makes them eject their pollinia and then the flowers fade, but in spike maybe)

You could contact one of the big Cymbidium growers and ask what's in flower now, or what's coming into flower soon. Santa Barbara Orchid Estate, Casa de las Orquideas were mentioned above.

Certainly worth the ask... I doubt that the really dark ones would be in bloom now... just not their season but it doesn't cost anything to ask.

Thank you both (in fact, all three of you!) SO MUCH for the information! I knew I came to the right place.

I hope to be a dedicated flower grower someday, maybe this is how I'll start.

Once you acquire your orchid, this is the place to come for plenty of information as to how to grow it!

I will certainly not forget that.