Do they really exist? Where is the black orchid? These questions and others have
on orchid hobbyists minds for centuries.
Orchid growers and
hobbyists have been trying to grow this orchid for a very long time. They
have tried many different orchid plants and hybrid varieties to get to this
orchid.
There seems to have been a
fascination for black anything. You have people striving for black gladiolus,
black canna- lillies and yes even black corn. (I'm not sure if they ever got the
black corn.)
There are many other
references to "black orchid" in detective mysteries, in names of clubs and
restaurants as well as on the stage. In fact, go on to Amazon and look at the
book "Black Orchid" by Dave McKean.
As far as I can judge from the reviews growers were close but still didn't
accomplish what their goal was. Some of the orchids that do come close include
the Laelicattleya Lc Mem. Robert Strait "Blue Hawaii" which has a black lip.
The Vanda David Gardner #1 has purplish areas under black speckles. There is
a black tongued orchid, the Epigeneium amplum. Another example is the Liparis
nervosa, a Japanese version of this orchid plant but when you look at it
you can seen it is not really black.
There are still a lot of misconceptions about orchids. Some of the myths that
still persist include that orchids are difficult to grow. This can't be further from
the truth. In fact today orchids like the phalaenopsis or cattleyas are very
easy to grow.
Another misconception is that all orchids need to grow in a greenhouse. Once
again, some of the best places for orchid plants is in the home where there is
bright light. Some of the orchids do well near a West facing window.
It seems that all the hard work by hybridization specialists still have been
alluded them and the orchid has not really been developed. It remains a hope for
any grower or hobbyist to get the crown that says, "I did it".
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