Feliz Día de Muertos/Happy Day of the Dead!

[marcmaubert]

Today we honor our deceased ones in Mexico. I wanted to share some pictures of Laelias. Sadly I don't own any Laelias yet, but I snapped some photos of them during Mexico City's Autumn Orchid Show. Besides Cempasuchil (Mexican Marigold) Laelias are typically used to decorate tombstones, churches and altars during Day of the Dead celebrations in Oaxaca, Chiapas, Guerrero and Michoacan. That means I will be able to enjoy orchids in the afterlife too!

[camille1585]

Interesting that Laelias are used on All Saints Day. Do you know where the tradition comes from? In France is it also a very important day and people honor their dead, but the 'official' plant is Chrysanthemum. Unfortunately the plant has become so associated to the day of the dead that it is sold solely for that day. No one uses it for autumn decoration like is common in the US or here in the Netherlands. Is there something similar with Laelias, or is the connection to that day not as strong?

[marcmaubert]

I read that a lot of Laelias were important to indigenous people because they would make a sort of glue out of their pseudobulbs and use it to make art out of feathers.

I don't think the connection between Día de Muertos and Laelias is as strong. That's the Cempasúchil (it's believed that their petals guide the spirits to the "ofrendas"). I think it's mainly because a lot of Laelias (anceps, autumnalis and gouldiana) are in full bloom right now and they grow in the wild nearby (in Michoacán and Guerrero). Laelias are not that commonly sold in Mexico City, but you can see some indigenas selling wild Laelias near churches in Coyoacán and San Ángel neighborhoods (really old neighborhoods where the upper class used to live). I've never bought those Laelias because I don't want to support taking orchids from the wild.

[estación seca]

Any of you who want to see orchids in the wild - México is the most amazing and wonderful country, with exceptionally friendly people. I would strongly recommend a nature tour there.

[marcmaubert]

Where would you recommend going, Estación? I'm interested in seeing orchids in the wild, and I've only experienced something like that in Papantla, Veracruz (a Vanilla factory)

[estación seca]

Wow, any place with forest! They are everywhere! What is actually needed is to train your eye to see what is right in front of you when not in flower. Many are small.

The highest concentration of epiphytes will be in cloud forest, such as that surrounding Xalapa or similar places. If you can get to Cuicatlán, look up in the mountains enclosing the valley. The zone with oaks has orchids covering all the tree branches. Almost any of the river valleys will have Laelia orchids up the slopes in the zone where oaks grow.

There were many terrestrial species in the Valle de México before the city grew. Some may survive in parks that have not been disturbed.

It will be hard to find, but see if you can get a copy of Orquídeas de México.

And there must be an orchid society in México City?

[marcmaubert]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Wow, any place with forest! They are everywhere! What is actually needed is to train your eye to see what is right in front of you when not in flower. Many are small.

The highest concentration of epiphytes will be in cloud forest, such as that surrounding Xalapa or similar places. If you can get to Cuicatlán, look up in the mountains enclosing the valley. The zone with oaks has orchids covering all the tree branches. Almost any of the river valleys will have Laelia orchids up the slopes in the zone where oaks grow.

There were many terrestrial species in the Valle de México before the city grew. Some may survive in parks that have not been disturbed.

It will be hard to find, but see if you can get a copy of Orquídeas de México.

And there must be an orchid society in México City?

Thanks for the recommendations! I'm almost finished reading that book. I bought it in Mexico City's Fall Orchid Show thanks to you, it's really interesting.

I'll try to keep my eyes peeled the next time I'm near an undisturbed forest, river or park!

And yes, there's an orchid society and I know they organize orchid sightseeing tours, but they meet during my work hours and I haven't been able to join.