a friendly, informative orchid column

Vivi's Orchid Corner

December 1996; Article 11

Brazilian Orchid Adventures

Dear Orchid Friends:
While in Brazil for the 15th World Orchid Conference, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit two other locales known for orchid growing: Petrópolis and Curitiba. Both of these cities are part of the Atlantic Coastal Strip and contain an important Rainforest.
Petrópolis is located in the "Serra dos Orgãos" mountain range in South-Eastern Brazil. Petrópolis is approximately 2 hours outside of Rio de Janeiro and several Brazilian orchid growers have their nurseries in these beautiful mountains. The moist mountains are lush with forests, flowers and vegetation. Petrópolis is considered a subtropical area. I visited Florália Nursery, a third generation family-run nursery.
The city of Petrópolis is called the "Imperial City". Petrópolis was built for the Emperor of Brazil, who was also Emperor of Portugal during the 1500's when Portugal colonized Brazil. The emperor lived in Rio de Janeiro and Petrópolis was built as the Emperor's summer home. Its mountains are high, steep and covered with foliage. Sheer cliffs, waterfalls and a vista of the ridges are breathtaking.
After the initial colonization by the Portuguese, the Germans also immigrated to the area. Thus, the city's architecture is an interesting mix of Portuguese and German. The streets are narrow and curvy and homes all showcase lovely gardens.
Curitiba is a massive city and is the capital of the state of Paraná in the Southern region of Brazil. Curitiba has wooded mountains and many grassy plains. It is part of the South Atlantic Coastal Rainforest. Curitiba has a temperate climate. Summers are warm and winters are cool with rain and occasional frosts.
I was honored with the invitation to visit the largest orchid grower in the state of Paraná: Orquidário Robert LTD. Orquidário Robert LTD specializes in Brazilian cattleyas and laelias. What an orgy of color!
Curitiba was an Indian and Portuguese city in the 17th century and had an old gold miners camp. In the 19th century, a large number of immigrants settled in the South of Brazil. Initially the Germans arrived, then the Polish, the Italians, and Ukrainians. These people had great influence on the architecture, customs and food in this region.
Today, Curitiba is a large metropolis and yet maintains its important cultural heritage. It is a city of many hills and valleys with a European flavor. Curitiba has been named Brazil's Ecological Capital as there are many parks, gardens throughout the city and it advocates an extensive programs of environmental protection.
It was a privilege to visit both Petrópolis and Curitiba as they are significant areas for orchid culture. Nearly 60% of orchids species originate from Brazil. Brazilians have chosen the orchid, Laelia Purpurata, as their national flower. The 15th World Orchid Conference afforded so many opportunites to meet orchidists from Brazil and around the world. Traveling to Brazil provided a greater appreciation of the lovely Brazilian species and the importance they play in orchid hybridization world-wide. It was truly a once in a life time experience.
Until next time-
Vivi

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Review my November 1996 "Vivi's Orchid Corner" article 15th World Orchid Conference.
Review my Sept/Oct 1996 "Vivi's Orchid Corner" article Helpful Orchid Definitions.
Review my August 1996 "Vivi's Orchid Corner" article Growing Vandaceous Orchids.
Review my July 1996 "Vivi's Orchid Corner" article Summer Survival.
Review my June 1996 "Vivi's Orchid Corner" article Orchid Habitats.
Review my May 1996 "Vivi's Orchid Corner" article Growing Cattleyas.
Review my April 1996 "Vivi's Orchid Corner" article Orchids Galore!.
Review my March 1996 "Vivi's Orchid Corner" article Cultivating Vanilla.
Review my February 1996 "Vivi's Orchid Corner" article Cultivating an Interest in Orchids.
Review my January 1996 "Vivi's Orchid Corner" article Phaelonopsis Culture.
Review my December 1995 "Vivi's Orchid Corner" article Dendrobium Culture.

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Last updated December 1, 1996

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