Orchid Hunt - Rio Grande Puerto Rico

[jmmehler]

It is an indescribable thrill, leaving the continental United States with the expectation of returning with a whole bunch of exotic orchids. While Puerto Rico, technically belongs to the United States, you are still offshore, the primary language is Spanish, and you are in a tropical paradise.

No trip to San Juan is complete without first visiting the Old San Juan district. While you are there, be sure to dine at the Barrachina Restaurant. It has the distinction of being the birthplace of the Pina Colada, and while it may not be your drink of choice, it will be the best one you’ve ever had. One of the main side/entrees throughout the island is Mofongo, made with semi-ripe mashed plantains, molded into a bowl, topped with your choice of chicken, pork, or shrimp, and covered with a mild creole sauce that will have your eyes rolling back in your head.

I had contacted Mr. Julio D. Rios, who I found on the AOS website as the chairman of his orchid society’s show, and asked him for a list of vendors. He gave me several. Among them where; Lixian’s Orchids in Rio Grande (the closest to San Juan), Mayer Orchids in Aibonito (the center of the island), Orchids by Eli in Utuado, and Dona Ana Orchids.

I contacted Lixian Liang who does not speak any English. Fortunately I’m fluent in Spanish. Only problem was that Puerto Ricans tend to drop the endings of their words making it a little more challenging to understand. Did I fail to mention that Ms Liang speaks Puerto Rican Spanish with a heavy Chinese accent? I thought the directions were kind of vague. She did not know what highways I should take, but when I got onto highway 3, it was 2 (or was that 3?) lights, and there would be a pharmacy on the corner, with a bread bakery across the street. Her place was just beyond that. Oh, and if I got to Luquillo Beach, I had gone too far.

Cab fare from the hotel to Rio Grande would have been $75.00 each way. I opted to rent a car for $32.00 including 1/8 of a tank of gas. Joking with the rental agent, I related the story of not knowing where I was going, because the direction I was given were so vague, and Ms Liang was so hard to understand. With a professional look upon his face, the agent took out a pen and drew a dot on the rental map. Imagine my shock when he said “This is where that pharmacy is”. He drew another dot and indicated the bakery. Of course, I had to ask how he knew. Turns out, he lives in Luquillo Beach and passes by there on his daily commute.

You can take route 187 from San Juan/Isla Verde and enjoy a beautiful coastal drive until it intersects with highway 3. Take a left, pass by El Verde BBQ, and at the 3rd light take a left. Sure enough, the pharmacy and bakery is there. Lixian Orchids is another 200 yards down the steet.

The driveway has an electric Gate. As soon as you enter there is a big green house on your right (see photos of three sections). There is an equal sized greenhouse on the left. Thousands and thousands of orchids. My anxiety levels soared as there was no way I could appreciate all of them and determine which ones to select. There were dozens of varieties I had never heard of. Turns out she gets shipments from Thailand every Wednesday.

I picked out a pot. Little Fortune ‘Splash’, partially because it was small, and partially because it had a whole bunch of keikis, but something was odd. They were extremely small, and were not coming out of the plant. Nor did they look like the parent. I asked, and she informed me that they had sprouted from seeds. She seemed rather annoyed about it, as if it were a nuisance. She said it happens all the time, then showed me how she had placed several Shomborkia (she is not aware of it’s new name) seed pods, on the rotted bark of another orchid. I told her that I already have four separate failed attempts at germinating Angraecum seeds, in a sterile micro-propagation lab. She just sprinkles them on rotted medium, or they sprinkle themselves.

As I’m getting ready to leave, Ms. Liang asks if I would like to see her personal collection. Huh? There’s more? Sure! The entire back yard is one greenhouse that is bigger than the two in the front. All told, I’d estimate she has over 5,000 orchids.

I had done some research on bringing back orchids from Puerto Rico. The information states that orchids may be brought in, but potting soil may not. I called the customs office in Puerto Rico (they speak English), and had them emphatically state that I could bring orchids in, and that they could be in bark. Still was not sure. I picked out seven plants; d. Rainbow Fantasy, p. Joy Fairy Tale ‘Joy’, pot. Paradise Beauty ‘Marcela’, pot. Little Fortune ‘Splash’, c. guatamalesia ‘aurea’, c. amethystoglossa x sid, and p. cornu cervi. Ms Liang put them in a wine box, and they fit perfectly. She then gifted me a blc. Your Mine ‘NN’.

Route 187 is dotted with public beaches frequented by the natives. There are also many road side kiosks that serve all sorts of Puerto Rican cuisine. You must stop off and try an empanada, followed by a ‘batida’ which is the word for smoothy, only here they don’t add powders, you specify up to 3 (of about 6) fresh fruits, they put it in a blender with a little sugar, and a dash of vanilla, and serve it up.

As soon as you enter the airport terminal, there is a USDA inspection center. All closed luggage must go through a scanner. My orchids were clearly visible, sticking out of the top of the box and I carried them past the inspection site. No one gave me a second look. Got my boarding pass, and headed for security. There are signs all over the security line showing pictures of forbidden items, such as fruits and plants, but the picture of the plant is potted. Was a little concerned that they might hassle me because of the heavy gage wire hangers that were attached to some of the plants when they went through the security scanners, but again, no one gave me a second look. The box fit perfectly in the overhead compartments, lying on its side.

As soon as I got to Birmingham, this morning, I sprayed each one with insecticide, and headed off to work. Can’t wait to get back to them. And so ends my first Orchid expedition. Can’t wait to do it again.

[WhiteRabbit]

Sounds fabulous!

[No-Pro-mwa]

Nice trip. It must be wonderful seeing all those orchids.

[MattWoelfsen]

This is a really super note, jmmehler. Thank you for sharing your experience and for the photos.

Interesting that there is a concern about bringing plants from Puerto Rico to the States. I know that Florida, Arizona, and Hawaii have some restrictions about bringing plants from Puerto Rico but I do not think the USDA considers Puerto Rico another country? I have carried home live plant souvenir--Tolumnia--from Puerto Rico in past visits with no problem. I'm glad you did not have any problems.

[RosieC]

Wow, great story of your trip. Sounds like tou had a great time.

[mremensnyder]

Wow! Sounds like an incredible trip. Thanks for sharing. Would love to shop at that nursery and see the sights around San Juan. I would also like to check out El Yunque. I recently gained an interest in PR native orchids when I found a Lepanthes woodburyana for sale. Of course, this was added to my collection. Next I want to get Maxillaria coccinea. Does anyone else grow the PR native orchids?

[Tim P.]

Do you have any pictures of the plants that you bought flowering?

[katrina]

Excellent and very entertaining story. Thanks for sharing your trip w/us.

I'm impressed w/your restraint...I don't think I could've made it out of there w/just the one box.

[jmmehler]

Phal Joy's Fairy Tale, C. amethytoglossa, BLC Your Mine 'NN.

[lotis146]

OH MY GOODNESS! Can I start with your pictures please because that's where I ended off here? That Phal is incredible. Now if I'm correct that IS what you call Peloric yes? I want one! I like them all though and think you listed them in my preferred order. Great pics, and I second katrina that you show amazing restraint that I'm not so sure I could have maintained.

I like your story very much, it is well written and you had me with the Mofongo (should have brought some of those back ). What luck you had with the rental person who could help you out, phew. It sounds like a very worthwhile trip. Those greenhouses certainly are impressive. Wouldn't it be awesome if you could just sprinkle seeds like that and let them do their thing? And to have a "personal" greenhouse so large? Gosh... She'd be lucky I don't speak Spanish or she'd have to swat me away with all my questions.

So was your whole point in going to visit that greenhouse and get some Orchids??

Thanks so much for sharing this experience with us, it sounds not a letter short of incredible. And what great luck as well that bringing them back wasn't a big deal at all!