What's all the "Black" about?

[newbud]

NewBee here: Am I to understand there has never been a true "Black" orchid bloomed ever? I was reading in an older Time-Life orchid book that even back in the '30's fictional detective Nero Wolfe tried to grown the ever elusive "Black" orchid. I saw a pic from Jay yesterday from the original thread (700+) where he was holding a rather large display of FDK After Dark's that looked pretty darn Black to me. What's the real deal on "Blacks"? Thanks, Jack in Copperhill, Tn.

[Anton]

Fred Clark from Sunset Valley Orchids breeds BLACK catasetums, and I mean black, black.

He had trouble photographing them because his camera couldn't recognise the black color.
I was at a friend's place yesterday and she showed me pictures of them, PLUS she has a flask of them which she bought from him.

Sunset Valley Orchids - Grower and hybridizer of quality orchids, Vista CA

[MelissaSE]

One of the plants donated to the raffle table at this month's meeting of the SCOS was a Fdk. After Dark, in bloom . (No, I did not win it. ) But the flowers looked very black to me, and this was in ordinary room lighting.

Fred Clark is going to speak at one of our meetings later this year.

[bearded orchid]

Also take a look at some of the Draculas they have cultivated now.

[Anton]

Melissa, I heard he is an excellent speaker, so you'll enjoy it and learn a lot.

He was over here in Australia recently and that's where they bought the flasks.

[1joyceh]

LOL Jack, I read all the Nero Wolfe books, and that is what got me interested in orchids, and to purchase the FDK After Dark, in hopes that I will have the elusive black orchid!! Has now flowered yet...still a baby...but one day....

[newbud]

So...officially, a Black Orchid has never been registered? What about the FDK A.D.? I guess you can never have all the parts of the flower be black, or can you? This is definitely a wonderful hobby. I just started Monday and have 7 plants already I guess you could say...I caught it. Look forward to sharing. I photo'd everything last night and will post. Thanks, again,
Jack

[skipper]

Welcome Jack. What type of orchids are you buying? I would only tell you to not get to far ahead of your self. Seven plants will give you a nice start, and not be more than you can handle. Learn what they need, and try and give it to them. You are correct, it is a fun hobby. Good luck and welcome again.

Dale

[newbud]

I tried to post a reply to you guys and got an error that I wasn't allowed to post an url until I had 5 posts. I did not have a url in my post. I had an uploaded picture. Does that count?

[MelissaSE]

Originally Posted by Anton

Melissa, I heard he is an excellent speaker, so you'll enjoy it and learn a lot.

He was over here in Australia recently and that's where they bought the flasks.

I'm REALLY looking forward to that meeting!

[lmartiny]

This is totally off the orchid track, but I saw and wish I'd bought a black Petunia I saw at WalMart about two months back.