THAI ORCHIDS

 Orchids in Thailand. 

More than 1000 different orchid species blossom somewhere between the dark mountain 

there is hope it might get better in the future. Several projects in Thailand are dedicated to preserve the genetic pool, breed the orchids in the nursery and reintroduce some species into the former habitat.

Thailand is the world’s largest exporter of fresh orchids and some of them can be discovered in various orchid nurseries and shops in Phuket. For many Thais the beautiful flowers are a synonym of Thailand. As it is a delicate matter to grow orchids (some species even need about 4 years to blossom first time) the nurseries usually specialize just on a couple of species / hybrids. Generally speaking, species are taboo for export, hybrids are the ones raised in the nursery.

For “take away”, there are 3 ways, either you take the whole plant (last for long time with proper treatment), also in a different climate like Europe etc., take only the cut flower (right before you leave) the cutted flowers stay ok for up to 3 month in a colder climat with proper treatment, or take the “seedlings in the bottle” (e.g. at the nursery mentioned below) and handle them according to the instructions. What you need with orchids in general is a sense for beauty and patience, the flower need a lot of time, care and ....maybe call it love.

If once you are in Phuket Thailand, have a look at the Phuket Orchid farm, pass  the Chalong circle towards Rawai, after the school (you will see a sign post...Phuket Orchidfarm..) do a right turn. You will find everything you want to see, there is a entrance fee (Thai and farang same fee !!) of baht 100 including a information leaflet, its worth it. If you also want to picture this beauties you should visit the place around 5 o’clock pm, at that time the sun position.

is just right for the shooting. They have currently several thousands orchids in the nursery. For immediate “consumption” on the island, many small shops usually in the vicinity of 7-11 stores offer fresh orchids with a very economic pricing. Small bundles with up to 10 blooms and some green leaves around go for 10 baht. A bunch of orchids with about 20-25 stems go for baht 150. All this shops usually offer the same type of hybrids, so it needs to visit the nursery for a more sophisticated bundle, since all flowers offered in the shops around the island are also from the nursery there is not need to think about endangered species. The hunting and smuggling out of the endangered species is usually done in the north of Thailand.