The beauty of Mexican orchids has been recognized since pre-Hispanic times, where they were used to decorate temples, tombs and gardens. Today, several of Mexico’s orchids are in danger of disappearing due to deforestation and looting. Orchids are one of the largest families of plants in the world, with about 30.000 species. Mexico has around 1250 species of orchids, with an estimated 40% being endemic.
While most people can recognize a flower as an orchid, few believe that they make good house plants. I admit that when I lived in a colder, four season climate I had no luck growing orchids. Once I moved to a humid, subtropical climate and started growing them outdoors, no problem. It isn’t that orchids are so difficult to grow, they simply have to be treated differently. Take the time to learn the specific requirements of your orchid and you’ll do fine. I have several that I have enjoyed for years in my Jaltemba Bay yard. The biggest two factors that matter are learning the correct water requirement and what type of potting the species prefers. All orchids cannot be potted the same: some are terrestrial- and need a rich soil- and some are epiphytic -air plants that must be attached to bark or other loose medium.
Two of my favorite Nayarit orchids are the Orchid Tree, a shrub that exhibits gorgeous orchid clusters about 10 months a year and that the flowers make long lasting cut arrangements. You can purchase this from the Rancho Las Palmas vivero in north La Penita. Another favorite is the mini flower Dancing lady epiphytic orchid. Both of these like a little morning sun but shade in the afternoon; one is terrestrial, the other epiphytic.
Oncidium orchids are known as dancing lady or dancing doll orchids for their distinctive floral design. They have so many fluttering blooms on each spike that they’ve been said to resemble branches covered in butterflies waving in the breeze. Oncidium dancing ladies developed in the rainforest, growing on tree branches in the air instead of in the soil. As with many other orchid varieties, Oncidium orchid care depends on keeping the plants in a loose, well-drained rooting medium and imitating the environment in which it first developed.
An easy day trip from Jaltemba Bay is to visit La Perla Garden near San Pancho. Checkout their informative and fun garden tour by going to Lodeperla.org. Not only can you see hundreds of tropical plants in their natural environment but there are plants available for sale! Look them up on Facebook to get information. The Puerto Vallarta Botanical Garden is another day trip that is worth seeing. Both gardens have an admission charge and are open 6 days a week. Their orchid pavilion is stunning!
Preserving our area’s biodiversity — its plants and animals — here in Mexico should be everyone’s concern. There are black market sellers on the streets periodically but avoid them. No environmentally responsible person should ever buy illegally collected wildlife such as wild parrots or native orchids. Never buy orchids from street vendors; instead, become a protector for Mexico’s native wildlife, particularly orchids, by only purchasing cultivated orchids. Check out the local plant nurseries and the traveling markets when you’re ready to add orchids to your home.
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