Traveling to SE Asia; want to see wild orchids

[vapyle]

Wow! I'm at a loss for words. : Thank you all! I've checked out your recommendations, and they are all fantastic. Tours, videos. It sounds like people in Thailand have a lively sense of humor. And I had better learn to identify massive numbers of orchids, huh?

Phillip, when you say spring/summer, do you mean northern hemisphere seasons? I'm still trying to correlate US seasons with the rainy/dry seasons in SE Asia.

I'm starting to worry that three months won't be enough time to see all that I want to see, haha. May not make it out of Thailand - though maybe not a bad thing. China sounds fascinating, too, and then I enjoy island culture.

Before I gush for another chapter, cheers! Once again, you all are awesome!

[Kevin_PR]

Thailand is above the equator so should be on our cycle. I would imagine on a similar cycle to PR(we are in our hurricane season, I guess Thailand is in their monsoon season.) People in Thailand are awesome, very respectful. Just use common sense and avoid areas that look like they should be avoided. The food is quite amazing too with a huge variety and super cheap. Thai style dinner is order a bunch of stuff and everyone share.

[vapyle]

Thanks. Makes sense about monsoon and hurricane seasons coinciding - at least according to the map in my minds eye.

Mmmm. Thai food. Can't imagine how much better it tastes with fresh local ingredients and authentic and regional. (insert foodie monologue/rant) And I like the idea of sharing; that's how I tend to eat when out with others. Glad I'll fit in. Good to know that common sense applies!

[vjo]

Sooo jealous!! Would have loved to do that when I was younger but was to busy having babies. Now too old to go by myself. I live vicariously through others love to hear of those adventures! Keep us posted and take lots of pictures.....Jean

[Kevin_PR]

How long have you been growing? What kind of orchids do you grow now?

I have a good suggestion. Have you ever been to Parkside orchid nursery. I think they are the closest nursery to you and they have a wide selection. Its a great opportunity to see all the different forms and orchid can take. People who are not in the know would never guess a Ludisia is an orchid. They are really nice and can show you what plants grow in Thailand. Also buy more orchids, it helps the economy. Home Page

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by vapyle

Philip, when you say spring/summer, do you mean northern hemisphere seasons?

Yes.

Originally Posted by Eskevingo

Thailand is above the equator so should be on our cycle.

True.




Many of the Habenarias from Thailand are fall blooming, but the flowers will last about a week or two.

For Habenaria carnea, Habenaria erichmichaelii, Habenaria rhodocheila, and Habenaria xanthocheila, look at the limestone cliffs, hills, or outcrops.

You might catch a few Paphs growing on limestone cliffs, hills, or outcrops as well, but some will be out of bloom.

[Kevin_PR]

In the future if you wanna travel close to home and see orchids in the wild you can come to PR. No passport and ur cell phone would work just the same. 4 hour flight as opposed to 21 hours. PR is great for a week trip or even a long weekend. Also if you like Thai I have a resturant in Rincon. Ode to the Elephants - Puerto Rico Thai Restaurant - Puntas Rincon, PR Just the basics, but good. Its hard to get the ingredients here.
PR has a diverse range of ecosystem with their own distinct orchids.(I believe there are only 150? species on the island)

[vapyle]

I'm getting very excited for this trip - due in no small part to the suggestions here. Thanks!

Naoki, those videos of Cypripediums are stunning! Tom is very lucky. Also, fun site. I of course had to read more articles.

Euplusia, I'm hoping to do a similar kind of trip. Im glad to hear that it's fairly safe!

Jean, I'm totally not going all by myself; the boyfriend is also going. But we are not taking a tour,so in that sense we will be by ourselves. I will take lots of pictures and hopefully have a blog on which to post them.

Kevin, I've only been growing for about 8 or 9 months and have inexpensive phal hybrids. I'm very much a beginner. I do like your suggestion to go see orchids in order to learn about them. I think a day trip to parkside orchids is in store. Plus there's an orchid show a few blocks from me in a few weeks - now I have to go! But please don't tell me to buy orchids; I have to make plant sitting as streamlined as possible, lol. When I get back next spring though, I think I should buy all of the orchids that I learn about between now and then! I can resist temptation for six months, right? And why did it not occur to me to make a long weekend in PR? Silly me; that's brilliant!

Philip, thanks for confirming the seasons! I'm travelling in January, February and March. I'm sorry- I must not have said that earlier! Perhaps toward the end of the trip some orchids will begin blooming? Even if we see one orchid in the wild, I'll feel exceeding lucky!

Silje, thank you for linking to your blog posts; I was able to read them through google translate (that led to some clumsy and funny sentences, but it worked)!