One and a half million orchids

De orchid would you like the national symbol of Thailand can consider. Cultivation in Thailand covers about 2300 hectares and is concentrated around Nonthaburi, Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, Pathunthani and Chonburi.

According to statistics, more than half of this is destined for export. In many tourist centers of Thailand you often come across butterfly and orchid farms, but in fact they have little or nothing in common with real professional cultivation. They are simply set up to facilitate the buses with tourists and of course to become a little wiser themselves.

The cultivation

Growing orchids is laboratory work involving tissue, biological germination and cloning techniques. They exist in abundance where you lose count, nor can you name all species, because there are more than a thousand. The seeds are germinated in laboratories in glass bottles, after which the orchid grows to full maturity about two and a half years later. washing up comes.

Thailand exports

It is understandable that the export possibilities of the plant encounter many problems, because how do you ship such a fragile plant? In the Netherlands you can also buy orchid plants in many places that carry Thailand as their native country, but have been further developed in our country.

Butterfly Orchids

In the village of Andel (Municipality of Woudrichem) about 18 km from Zaltbommel, the super modern company Butterfly-Orchids is located where the young Thai cuttings come to full maturity. A super modern equipped company that can compete with the most advanced production processes from other sectors.

In the glass greenhouses, with an area of ​​three hectares (30.000 m2), the beautiful colors of many types of orchids pass you by. Standing face to face with no less than one and a half million orchids is something very special. At the moment there are still 350 different varieties in the greenhouses, but according to Mr. Van Giessen they will reduce to 35, because each variety requires a specific treatment. And as in any industry, the economic principle also applies here.

Even taste differences play an important role. For example, orchids with one stem appear to be popular in Thailand, while in the Netherlands consumers prefer two, three or even four flower stems and are even less fond of long specimens. Don't worry, laboratories, technology and entrepreneurial spirit fulfill the wishes of the consumer. Also at Butterfly-Orchids in a small place like Andel.