Fredclarkeara After Dark 'SVO Black Pearl' FCC/AOS

This is one of the first man-made, nearly pure-black orchids (the first is Millennium Magic).

It is famous for its incredibly dark flower displays and spicy-sweet fragrance. Flowers emerge during or after the foliage sheds from fall through winter. These orchids bloom best when grown in bright light. This batch consists of mericlones from the original 'SVO Black Pearl' FCC/AOS parent.

During the summer growing season and fall blooming period, water frequently and fertilize regularly. When the flowers drop and the pseudobulbs become bare, the plant is entering dormancy. At this stage, water sparingly and withhold fertilizer until new growth appears and reaches about 5 inches in height the following spring. Overall, this famous orchid is considered easy to grow and flower.

This current batch are bulbs forming their 2nd growth, which should mature by the winter of 2027. Typically, this hybrid blooms on the 3rd bulb, so we expect them to flower in the winter of 2028.

Catasetinae can be prone to spider mites. In addition to commercial insecticides, hobbyists can manage them by wiping foliage with neem wipes twice monthly (or weekly if mites are present) in the evening when there is no direct light. A homemade spray of 1 teaspoon soap and 1 teaspoon vegetable oil per quart of water can also be used periodically.