JEWELS THAT SMELL LIKE FLOWERS - JAMAICA TOURIST ISSUE 13
This tropical haven, which ranks 5th in biodiversity among the world’s islands, is home to many plant species found nowhere else in the world. The fact that the island emerged from the ocean in the mid-Miocene period somewhere between 5 - 23 million years ago and has never been connected to any other landmass, is of marked importance to Jamaica’s rich biodiversity. One of the more successful families of the plant kingdom, the orchid family is estimated to include around 300,000 described species worldwide. And in the midst of this veritable greenhouse of vegetation thrive more than 220 varieties of local orchids, 60 of which are considered endemic to the isle.
The hobby of growing orchids is generating interest in many local species. We spoke to a few on island orchid specialists, who were happy to share their wealth of knowledge about local orchids and the intricacies of orchid breeding.
MR. CLAUDE W. HAMILTONLocally and overseas, the hobby of growing orchids has generated interest in many Jamaican orchid species. Explains Mr. Claude W. Hamilton, the owner of Hamlyn Orchids, “Hybrids are just like us – a cross between two or more species.” The largest orchid grower in Jamaica, Hamilton created the hybrid Cattleytonia Cosmos Sunshine by breeding it from the Broughtonia sanguinea, an orchid endemic to Jamaica. Says Mr. Hamilton is an accredited judge for the American Orchid Society, “The breeding of hybrids is of such intricate process that the plants we get to see are already 10 years old.” And that, he tells us, is a young age for an orchid.
MRS. DEW HASTINGSPictured with a hybrid named after her, Mrs. Dew Hastings is the past President and Chairperson of the Show Committee for the Orchid Club, Montego Bay. Her garden, which is truly like an orchid sanctuary and wherever you turn, another precious orchid awaits your discovery. A collection of jewels, Mrs. Hasting’s garden is the habitat of both Jamaican species and hybrids and a few of them, like the Encyclia fragrans, have a surprisingly sweet fragrance.
MR. DENIS VALENTINESays Denis Valentine, a Jamaican photographer who is fascinated by Jamaica’s astonishing variety of orchids, which is the greatest in the Caribbean, “Just like the people of Jamaica, one of the islands orchids (Oeceolades maculata) originate in Africa. Orchid seeds, which are as fine as dust, are carried long distances by the wind.” Valentine refers to the reddish dust from Africa’s Sahara that sometimes create a haze in the sky, “This dust is mixed with an astonishing amount of invisible plant seeds. You could say it’s a vital dust.”
Explains Valentine, who has photographed a large number of local orchids and is in the process of publishing a book on the subject, “Jamaican orchids are often so tiny that most people walk past them. They are given little attention, because they are not as showy as the hybrids we commonly know.”
According to the orchid lover, the most populated habitats for orchids can be found in St. Ann and Manchester, “When exploring the island, ask your driver to stop along the road in the areas of Discovery Bay, Braco and Starfish in Trelawny or Good Hope. If you have time and patience, you will find some of our local species in these locations.”
MR. RALPHWhen visiting local orchid or horticultural shows, be sure to look out for Ralph. A source of vast knowledge about local orchids, Ralph walks the hilly areas of St. Ann and Manchester in search of the island’s more popular endemic orchids and sells them at local fairs.
According to the orchid collector, it took him more than four years to understand the basics about Jamaican orchids, such as where to find particular species. “More often, you will not find them again in the same spot and will have to find where else the vital dust has settled.”
While works are under way to restore the Orchid House at Hope Gardens in Kingston, the orchid societies in Mandeville, Kingston, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios organize several orchid and horticultural shows throughout the year for enthusiasts looking to learn more. The local orchid society has also planted a selection of Jamaican orchid species in the large trees of the Bellfield Great House, Montego Bay. Ask your hotel concierge to call the local orchid society – selected members will show their collections by appointment or visit, www.hamlynorchids.com.
The hobby of growing orchids is generating interest in many local species. We spoke to a few on island orchid specialists, who were happy to share their wealth of knowledge about local orchids and the intricacies of orchid breeding.
MR. CLAUDE W. HAMILTONLocally and overseas, the hobby of growing orchids has generated interest in many Jamaican orchid species. Explains Mr. Claude W. Hamilton, the owner of Hamlyn Orchids, “Hybrids are just like us – a cross between two or more species.” The largest orchid grower in Jamaica, Hamilton created the hybrid Cattleytonia Cosmos Sunshine by breeding it from the Broughtonia sanguinea, an orchid endemic to Jamaica. Says Mr. Hamilton is an accredited judge for the American Orchid Society, “The breeding of hybrids is of such intricate process that the plants we get to see are already 10 years old.” And that, he tells us, is a young age for an orchid.
MRS. DEW HASTINGSPictured with a hybrid named after her, Mrs. Dew Hastings is the past President and Chairperson of the Show Committee for the Orchid Club, Montego Bay. Her garden, which is truly like an orchid sanctuary and wherever you turn, another precious orchid awaits your discovery. A collection of jewels, Mrs. Hasting’s garden is the habitat of both Jamaican species and hybrids and a few of them, like the Encyclia fragrans, have a surprisingly sweet fragrance.
MR. DENIS VALENTINESays Denis Valentine, a Jamaican photographer who is fascinated by Jamaica’s astonishing variety of orchids, which is the greatest in the Caribbean, “Just like the people of Jamaica, one of the islands orchids (Oeceolades maculata) originate in Africa. Orchid seeds, which are as fine as dust, are carried long distances by the wind.” Valentine refers to the reddish dust from Africa’s Sahara that sometimes create a haze in the sky, “This dust is mixed with an astonishing amount of invisible plant seeds. You could say it’s a vital dust.”
Explains Valentine, who has photographed a large number of local orchids and is in the process of publishing a book on the subject, “Jamaican orchids are often so tiny that most people walk past them. They are given little attention, because they are not as showy as the hybrids we commonly know.”
According to the orchid lover, the most populated habitats for orchids can be found in St. Ann and Manchester, “When exploring the island, ask your driver to stop along the road in the areas of Discovery Bay, Braco and Starfish in Trelawny or Good Hope. If you have time and patience, you will find some of our local species in these locations.”
MR. RALPHWhen visiting local orchid or horticultural shows, be sure to look out for Ralph. A source of vast knowledge about local orchids, Ralph walks the hilly areas of St. Ann and Manchester in search of the island’s more popular endemic orchids and sells them at local fairs.
According to the orchid collector, it took him more than four years to understand the basics about Jamaican orchids, such as where to find particular species. “More often, you will not find them again in the same spot and will have to find where else the vital dust has settled.”
While works are under way to restore the Orchid House at Hope Gardens in Kingston, the orchid societies in Mandeville, Kingston, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios organize several orchid and horticultural shows throughout the year for enthusiasts looking to learn more. The local orchid society has also planted a selection of Jamaican orchid species in the large trees of the Bellfield Great House, Montego Bay. Ask your hotel concierge to call the local orchid society – selected members will show their collections by appointment or visit, www.hamlynorchids.com.
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