Fred Clarke created Sunset Valley Orchids in 1995 as a natural outgrowth of a hobby that began twenty seven years earlier. Sunset Valley Orchids is a “Boutique” style nursery where we are dedicated to excellent customer service and unique offerings.

Backed by 24 years of experience in the horticultural industry as a professional grower and manager, Fred applies these skills to produce robust and unique orchid hybrids.

Sunset Valley Orchids is located in Vista, California, 30 miles north of San Diego and 60 miles south of Los Angeles approximately 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The 13,000 sq. ft. of greenhouse space is comprised of 4 distinct growing environments.

We are a specialty plant breeder of award quality orchids. Our efforts are focused in the development cutting edge orchid breeding lines. We are providing new and unique hybrids and species in several genera including; Cattleya, Paphiopedilum, Catasetinae, and Bulbophyllum. Our plant offerings are produced in our laboratory and grown from seed here at the nursery. The flasking lab processes over 300 new hybrids annually producing 2000 replate flasks. The plants are selected on strict criteria of robust growth and ease to flower. This is accomplished by selecting only the most vigorous seedlings throughout the processes of flasking, community trays, and potting. This grading results in the strongest and best plants for both our customers and for our own future breeding.

Fred is available to give talks and provide plant tables to Orchid Societies and Garden Clubs. Here is a currently listing .

Sunset Valley Orchids is open most Saturdays, Sundays and by appointment.

Fred is an accredited American Orchid Society Judge in the Pacific South Judging Region. Orchids from Sunset Valley Orchid have many AOS awards, including seven that have received the highest honor, the ‘First Class Certificate'.

Fredclarkeara After Dark ' SVO Black Cherry' FCC/AOS

Fredclarkeara After Dark ‘Sunset Valley Orchids' FCC/AOS

Fredclarkeara After Dark ‘SVO Black Diamond' FCC/AOS

Fredclarkeara After Dark ‘SVO Black Pearl' FCC/AOS
(Mormodia Painted Desert x Catasetum Donna Wise)

Cycnoches cooperi 'Sunset Valley Orchids III' FCC/AOS

Paphiopedilum Harold Koopowitz 'Sunset Valley Orchids' FCC/AOS
(Paph. malipoense x Paph. rothschildianum)

Cycnodes Jem's Dragon 'Sunset Valley Orchids' FCC/AOS
(Cycnoches chlorochilon x Mormodes frymirei)

"Creating unique and beautiful orchids for the hobby grower"