Maxillaria schunkeana in bloom - Orchid Board

LauraN · #1 03-28-2010, 12:02 AM

Not sure how I really feel about this one...I think that it actually shows up better in photos than it does in person!
In person it almost looks like it's dying

dounoharm · #2 03-28-2010, 09:44 AM

such a dark red....i can see why you think its dying....lol...pretty tho...

Stitzelweller · #3 03-28-2010, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LauraN

Not sure how I really feel about this one...I think that it actually shows up better in photos than it does in person!
In person it almost looks like it's dying

I agree, Laura. I have always felt that this species is a MUST SEE to discourage people from purchasing orchids solely from photographs!

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #4 03-28-2010, 03:37 PM

IDK, I actually think this flower photographs terribly, and looks beautiful in person.

When mine flowered, they were a dark semi-glossy vinicolor purple, almost a semi-glossy black with a gray beard and dark red anther cap.

It looked much like Darth Vader's helmet.

I very much like this plant. Never regretted buying it. Very hardy too.

Tom-DE · #5 03-30-2010, 12:22 AM

I actually like this species. Mine looks near black.

LauraN · #6 03-30-2010, 08:44 AM

Though it shows up dark red on camera, it is actually almost black! Mine doesn't have any of the color difference, the entire flower is completely the same black color.
It's not that I don't like it...It's just that when I happen to notice a flower, the dark glossy color comes through looking wet and my flowers stay fairly cupped, giving the impression that it's a wet soggy mess...on closer inspection, the flower is just fine.

betoguerrero · #7 05-31-2010, 09:01 PM

NICE FLOWER... CONGRATS!!!!

Angurek · #8 06-20-2010, 03:59 AM

I love this species. I may add it to my collection sometime soon.

I love that deep red. The near-black forms are also striking.

LauraN · #9 06-20-2010, 02:28 PM

I bought several of them at Redland this year and one of them already has a bud on it. Can't wait to see the color on this new one!

Rosiefuture · #10 08-06-2010, 12:16 PM

While I was researching Maxillaria tenuifolia on the net I read that Maxillaria schunkeana has the darkest and nearest to black flower in the orchid world. If I ever see one for sale in Oz I might well buy it!

Marion