What Is A Black Orchid - Fascinating But Elusive

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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