Richard's Travel Blog

Oceans of Orchids at The Taiwan Technical Mission
Central Farm, Cayo District
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Orchids are the #1 potted flower
in the world, especially in the
foreign markets of Taiwan, Japan
and the U.S.A. (formerly the pointsetta held this position).
The Phalaenopsis, a native to S.E. Asia, also known as
the butterfly or moth orchid, is the most popular type of
house orchid. (Phaluna is Greek for ‘moth’.) Total world
production is estimated at 250-300 Milion plants/yr, and
of this, Taiwan, known as Kingdom of the Phalaenopsis,
produces about half.

In 2008 Taiwan produced 135M Phalaenopsis plants. Of
these, main export markets were 30M to the U.S., 30M to
Europe, and 15M to Japan. Formerly Taiwan composed 50%
of the world market, but the U.S. market now purchases
60-70% of Taiwan’s potted phalaenopsis production.
The wild species, phalaenopsis amabilis, var Formosa was
officially recognized in Taiwan in 1897. For approximately
90 years, hobby breeders created many varieties from
that original cultivar, which is white in the wild. Now a
spectrum of colors from very dark purple down to yellow
and white, exist and some have a strong fragrance. There
is a popular variety known in Taiwan, as ‘notice you at
lunch’ which emits a strong fragrance at mid-day. Orchids
are an easy and three dimensional decoration favored also
for their longevity (lasting from 2 to as long as 6 months).
December to May is the normal blooming season, but some
bloom two times a year.

As cold weather induces flowering in this variety,
historically orchids would be moved to 1,000 m elevations
in Taiwan, to force flowers. The combination of growing in
a hot environment, then inducing to bloom in a cool one,
formerly was a difficult combination but is now facilitated
by the miracle of air conditioning.

At the Taiwan Technical Mission headquarters at Central
Farm, sits a climate controlled greenhouse chock full of
Butterfly Orchids. Mr. Frank Lin heads the orchid and rice
sections of the mission, although one surmises orchids are
his passion. The TTM has identified orchid production for
Belize as very promising.

Belize is well situated climatically and geographically to
enter and become a main player, if she chooses, on the world
stage with orchid production. Not only could phalaenopsis
be cultivated here commercially, but Belize’s wild species
offer, in Mr. Lin’s opinion, “more than 5 good local varieties
which have great potential to propagate by tissue culture.
With the North American market well established and only
a reasonable 3 day road trip away, marketing from Belize is
quite competitive.

Belize has the lab facilities to propagate by tissue culture,
and U.B. students are learning the necessary horticultural
skills in U.B.’s own tissue culture labs. Since the 1990’s,
world expansion in the field has been due to new varieties,
improved cultivation techniques, and uniform virus-free
material available from tissue culture.

Cooperation will be needed between producers here to
make coordinated overseas shipments viable. The TTM
encourages cooperatives, women’s groups, and the private
sector to consider this enterprise. The TTM can offer
training sessions (recommend 4 weeks duration) and
assistance, for both co-ops, NGO’s and the private sector.
TTM estimates approx 6 groups, (less if larger players
enter the market), would be needed to produce sufficient
quantity for export to be attractive.

By B. Roberson

Note: The Taiwan Technical Mission’s orchid expert in
residence is Mr. Frank Lin. With over 20 years experience
in the private sector, he built the first glass computer
automated greenhouse in Taiwan, and won in 2005
the prestigious Grand Champion International Orchid
Award. He has created over 1,000 varieties of orchids.
Belize is fortunate to have such a world leader in this field
here to share his skills.

Reprinted from www.belizeagreport.com