Very nice. I just dumped all of my Cymbidiums, nearly 150 of them After 17 years I just got tired of them and needed the space. I'm going to use the $s to get some Ophrys.

This is one of 5 that I kept. Mine is also in double spike. It's tag just says 'Little Black Sambo'. A Google search reveals that most posts just refer to them this way, a minority have 'Black Magic' added after. I assume it's a clonal name applied to some, not all. My flowers look like yours. I don't stake it, it's not pendulous but arches outwards in a semicircle. I love the consistency of the leaves.

Nick

Bred from two of the Australian Native Cymbidiums. There is no Cymbidium with the registered name of Black Magic.

This type of breeding has extended the flowering season here to late spring.

Registered in 1966.

Nick, my Cymbidium count is Nil. Zilch. None.

The tag says Cymbidium Little Black Sambo "Black Magic" AM AOS.

The full name can be seen as offensive to some so I just refer to it as black magic.

This is the first time it has flowered for me, it has a nice scent and the flowers have been open for a few weeks now.

Now it makes sense. Arthur, was the name 'Little Black Sambo' coined at the time it was awarded or are there plants called 'Little Black Sambo' prior to the award?

Nick

Got my own answer. Found a forgotten 4" plant which originated at Norman's Orchids with the tag reading:

Cym. Little Black Sambo 'Ink Spot' AM/AOS (canaliculatum x madidu)

I think that settles it.

Nick

Hi Nick, In the good old days the RHS used to show the country where the person registering the orchid lived. In this case it was probably Australia.

Maybe someone should ask the RHS to change the name.

The species Cymbidium canaliculatum is difficult to grow whereas madidum is supposed to be easy.

'Little Black Sambo' is super easy, it grows like a weed.

Nick

Arthur,
Regarding the country where it was bred and registered, if you excuse Google's Vietnamese translation I came across the link below. Looks like it was bred in Australia and registered in the US.

As for the name, the 1960's was a very different place.

Here is a link that might be useful: Little Black Sambo