It's Raining Orchids! - Orchid Board

Curtis2010 · #1 03-05-2012, 11:31 AM

Strong cold front came through last night and orchids literally fell from the sky around my place!

Found a number of broken tree limbs on the ground this AM loaded with orchids. One in particular had a few varieties of orchids and bromeliads -- looks almost like an intentional arrangement. Pic attached.

Tindomul · #2 03-05-2012, 01:33 PM

Wow, what are you going to do with all those orchids and broms??

Wireman · #3 03-05-2012, 05:18 PM

Where is this? That's an impressive diversity.

camille1585 · #4 03-05-2012, 05:26 PM

When I read your title, I didn't think that it was quite literally raining orchids!!

Are you going to save them?

Jayfar · #5 03-05-2012, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wireman

Where is this? That's an impressive diversity.

Apparently Guatemala, per the OP's profile info.

Curtis2010 · #6 03-06-2012, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayfar

Apparently Guatemala, per the OP's profile info.

Yes, Atlantic coast of Guatemala on the Rio Dulce. Loads of naturally occurring orchids here. Hard to find a tree at my place that does not have at least one native orchid on it and many trees are covered in thick mats of orchids.

When I find them on the ground, or in the water, I usually stick them back in a tree or mount them so I can move them closer to the house.

The ones pictured in this post I think I will mount as is -- just run a wire through the limb and hang it up.

I have another one like this that came with its own beehive inside a short section of tree trunk (a type of small stinger-less bee). Hung it up and the bees never missed a beat, they've been living there for years now. Pretty cool to watch.

Wireman · #7 03-07-2012, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curtis2010

Yes, Atlantic coast of Guatemala on the Rio Dulce. Loads of naturally occurring orchids here. Hard to find a tree at my place that does not have at least one native orchid on it and many trees are covered in thick mats of orchids.

When I find them on the ground, or in the water, I usually stick them back in a tree or mount them so I can move them closer to the house.

The ones pictured in this post I think I will mount as is -- just run a wire through the limb and hang it up.

I have another one like this that came with its own beehive inside a short section of tree trunk (a type of small stinger-less bee). Hung it up and the bees never missed a beat, they've been living there for years now. Pretty cool to watch.

That sounds incredible!!! I'd love to see that in person. I may just have to take a trip down to Guatemala not only the Pre-Columbian studies, but for the orchids as well.

Curtis2010 · #8 03-08-2012, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wireman

That sounds incredible!!! I'd love to see that in person. I may just have to take a trip down to Guatemala not only the Pre-Columbian studies, but for the orchids as well.

Yes, Guatemala is a spectacularly beautiful country with an amazing range of ecosystems. You can find a wide variety of orchids in a habitats from sea level to over 9K feet.

Yesterday, I was in the hot humid Rio at sea level. Today, I am in chilly Guatemala city at almost a mile high.

The area around Coban (Alta Verapaz) is particularly well suited for orchids. Altitudes range for 4K to over 9K feet and much of the time you are in the clouds with cool moist weather. There are a number of eco-lodges there with extensive hiking trails. And "Vivero Verpaz" has an expansive collection of orchids covering several acres.

The population of Coban is mostly Mayan so you can integrate "Mayan Studies" and searching for orchids in the same venue. Try to time your visit to coincide with the Rabin Ajau festival if possible -- a very unique "Mayan Beauty Pagent". If you attend, then you will probably be one of the few foreigners there.

There is also an orchid festival in Coban.

A few related pics from Coban attached. Taken at the Rabin Ajau festival, the Orchid Festival, and Vivero Verapaz.

TimetoFindMe · #9 03-08-2012, 09:10 AM

Thank you for sharing! I can't wait to return to Central America and explore. Those plants looked lovely

stefpix · #10 03-09-2012, 12:58 PM

Hey Curtis,
I am just back from Quintana Roo. I saw those Schomburgkias/Myrmecophilas everywhere! and I had a bike so I explored, an Aztec guy took me to a piece of jungle full of cenotes. Is where you are in Guatemala more humid than Tulum?

Those in Tulum outside the jungle seem to do better in some medium shade. In the sun I think they dry too much as it seems to be always windy / breezy. Check my post in this forum. Saw a fallen tree filled with Brassavola nodosas that they told me they call Juan de Noche.
In your photos is the orchid on top right a Maxillaria? Maybe next time I will make it to Guatemala and Chiapas!