If the keyword “Papuan Black Orchid” is searched with the largest search engine Google, there will be much information about this type of orchid. This orchid is rare, endangered, live in the forest’s interior, and is challenging to cultivate outside its natural habitat.
In addition, the selling price of up to 100 million rupiahs makes the information about this orchid very interesting. Of all the articles presented, one photo in common: an image of a black orchid.
The orchid has a white labellum with dense pink spots on the edges, black holes on the tips, and a yellow callus with black markings in the center of the labellum. Let’s recognize the Papuan Black Orchid; why are so many people crazy about it?
Why is the Papuan Black Orchid Conquest of the World?
This Black Orchid is an epiphytic orchid that lives attached to other plants but does not harm the host. The main characteristic of the Black Orchid lies in the beauty of the jet black flower petals with the pistil and purplish pink stamens.
So far, the orchid can only be found in nature, attached to the trunks of Papuan forest trees. Several attempts to cultivate this beautiful plant have not been successful. According to experts, the success ratio of breeding the Papuan Black Orchid is very small, only around 20-30%.
What is the Difference Between Papuan and Kalimantan Black Orchid?
In addition to the Black Orchid from Papua, Indonesia also has one type of Black Orchid from Kalimantan. Although both black, Papuan and the Kalimantan Black Orchid have very different morphologies. The Bornean Black Orchid has greenish petals, while the pistil and stamens are black.
Both types of orchids are on the verge of extinction and need serious handling so that their existence remains sustainable. Because of this rarity, the Black Orchid from Papua and Kalimantan is a game for ornamental plant lovers. So rare, each stem can be valued up to hundreds of millions of Rupiah.
What is the Price of the Black Orchid?
When it comes to price, the Papua black orchid is the winner. This orchid, which collectors of ornamental plants often hunt, can fetch hundreds of millions of rupiahs. Unfortunately, for the same reason, this flower is smuggled out of Papua and abroad.
It is quite worrying because it can endanger the orchid population. Orchids cultivated outside the tropics can not grow properly or die, eventually eroding this unique flower’s existence. The success ratio of developing this unique orchid outside Papua is approximately only 20% to 30%.
Benefits of Black Orchid
Not only rare, but this Papuan orchid also has many benefits.
It is rarely known, given the limited number of orchids and the government’s desire to protect them as endangered flora.
Here are the benefits of Papuan black orchids:
- Stops bleeding in the uterus
- Anti-diarrhea medicine
- Treats stomach ulcers
- Treats nausea
- Save you from winter diseases
How to Care for Black Orchid Plants
- Put Papua black orchids in place with enough sun.
- Putting Papua black orchids indoors sometimes.
- Add fertilizer as nutrient intake.
- Choose a planting media for black orchids.
- Keep the media moist.
Wrapping Up
As an additional note, you can enjoy the beauty of the Papuan Black Orchid when it enters the month of October to December. We should be grateful and proud that our country Indonesia has a wealth of extraordinary flora. This country has diversity and natural wealth that has long been a byword for the world.
