Fredclarkeara After Dark Orchid

Fredclarkeara After Dark

One of the most dramatic orchids at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, PA this week is the dark-flowered Fredclarkeara After Dark. They have two varieties hanging in pots in the Orchid Room near the exit. Be sure to seek them out if you get to make a visit!


They are unusual for their dark blooms, but also for their pointy pseudobulb. They are potted up in bark with perlite, cork and sphagnum moss. When conditions provide high light and low moisture, female flowers are produced. Male flowers grow in conditions of shade with higher moisture. (More info at Orchids Wiki)

The breeder who created these beautiful orchids is Fred Clarke of California. In addition to having a genera of orchids named after him, he also owns and runs Sunset Valley Orchids in Vista, California and is a popular speaker about orchid all over the work. His "orchid boutique" has many other cultivars of the After Dark series available, including maroon and yellow Fredcarkeara After Dark 'Sunset Valley Orchids', lighter red F. After Dark 'SVO Black Cherry', and the jet black F. After Dark 'SVO Black Diamond'.

Pointy pseudobulb of Fredclarkeara After Dark 'SVO Black Pearl'

Darkest bloom of Fredclarkeara After Dark 'SVO Black Pearl'

Tropical scene from the Orchid Room at Phipps. I really prefer its natural setting for displaying orchids.

Cascading blooms of Fredclarkeara After Dark

Read more on Phipps Conservatory on WMG.