Hawaii Orchid Nursery Tour

Aloha, last week I was lucky enough to leave the shop for more than 48 hours, hop on a plane, and sit on the beach in Hawaii for a week.  Don't worry, I wasn't a bum the entire time while on vacation.  I spent so much of my time there drooling over the beautiful flowers and the extremely low prices for tropicals and plants.  One of the highlights during the trip was visiting a local orchid nursery.  Fragrant Orchids of Maui is located in the hills of Haiku on the island of Maui.

Owners Lloyd and Karen showed us around their beautiful nursery describing the many types of orchids they grow.  The majority of their harvest are Phalaenopsis, which is the most common type of orchid houseplant. (shown below) 

Fragrant Orchids of Maui provides orchids in Maui at locations like Whole Foods and Long's Drug Stores.  They also ship throughout the United States.  (We're hoping to possibly carry some at Main Street Florist soon)  I was fortunate enough to hand pick two orchids that they shipped right to the store on 2nd day air.  I received them they day after I returned to Carlinville. It was like having a piece of Hawaii follow me home!   

I can't even begin to describe how beautiful they all were in person. I took a hundred photos but they don't even begin to do them justice.  If there was ever a question of the difference between the $9.99 orchid you buy from the big box store and these Maui grown beauties, the answer would be 100% quality.  One single blossom itself was twice the size of the typical orchid I'm used to seeing, the colors were so vibrant, and each stem has so many buds.  I could go on and on... but I'll spare you and just share some fun facts I learned along with some my pics!

Fact #1: Many orchids are epiphytic (meaning they grow on branches and trunks of trees).  They only use the trees for support. They do not take nutrients from them.  This is why you will often see them planted in pots of bark and not soil. After purchasing an orchid be sure to research how best to re-pot them if needed.

 

Fact # 2: Orchids are the largest family of the plant kingdom with over 25,000 naturally occurring species in the world.  Hundreds more have also been genetically created by growers.

source: www.fragrantorchids.com

Fact # 3: Cut orchids can last up to 2-3 weeks when properly cared for and in water.  Phalaenopsis plants are known well for the length of time their blooms can last – 3 or 4 months is typical; Lloyd, of Fragrant Orchids of Maui, mentioned he has seen some last a half a year in bloom.

Fact # 4: Orchid flowers can grow to be as small as a head of a pin.  The heaviest orchid Grammatophyllum speciosum is capable to attain the weight up to 2,000 pounds.  In nature the adult orchid produces up to 10,000 blooms.

Fact # 5: Tap water has often been chemically treated, generally with chlorine, so it should be used with caution when watering orchids.  The best water for orchids is undoubtedly rainwater.  Rainwater, as it passes through the air, dissolves and absorbs many substances such as dust, pollen and other organic matter.

Fact # 6: The name orchid comes from the Greek word “orchis” meaning testicle; because of the shape of the bulbous roots.  We're you dozing off??  Got your attention again... you won't forget that fact. There will be a short pop quiz tomorrow.  

Fact # 7:  I was joking about the pop quiz.   :)

Fact # 8: Vanilla beans come from the fruit of an orchid; Vanilla Planifolia.  These vining orchids have to reach 10 feet in length before they can be pollinated.  To create the vanilla bean fruit the fully grown plant must be pollinated by hand.  Wow... that's a lot of work.  Now we know why real vanilla is so darn expensive! This is a Vanilla Vine below.

 

Fact # 9:  Hawaiians have been making salad dishes that include cooked orchids and scallops, along with sugar coated orchid candies since the 1960s. Orchid farmers in Singapore have recently began to conduct cooking classes using orchids, introducing stir-fried orchids and orchid sauces. Not only are orchids edible, but also gardeners say that it is a source of fiber and vitamin C. So what does it taste like? Opinions vary; some say it is somewhat sweet, others say it tastes like tannin or raw chives.

 Fact # 10:  An orchid plant has the reputation of being difficult plant to care for, which is not always the case.  A little bit of research can go a long way.  More importantly, caring for an orchid is rewarding. Take a little time to admire the stately display; go closer and explore the intricacies of the floral structure. I think you’ll find a bit of peace of mind and a brief mental vacation in your small tropical paradise.

Our friends Mike and Melanie, my husband Lee and I, and our friends (and wonderful hosts while in Maui) Rick and Tamra at the Fragrant Orchids of Maui Nursery.

This is the orchid I had shipped home for myself.

The other orchid I had shipped home.  This one belongs to Carmen.

 

I hope you've learned a little about orchids today and are excited to try growing one on your own! If you're interested in purchasing a Hawaiian grown orchid please give us a call to place your order.  217-854-8224.  To keep costs as low as possible we purchase in large quanities, this also helps with shipping.  Once we have recieved enough orders we will place one large order.  

 Mahalo  ~Sarah