Orchid flower lovers host show and sale

Wearing boots and a dust coat, a visitor first steps on a sponge saturated with disinfectant before entering Manda Orchids farm in Kiambu.

It is the largest commercial farm in the region that grows and supplies the cymbidium orchid cut flowers. But you can’t just show up at the farm to see the orchids, you have to book an appointment.

The farm has rows of potted plants—each with orchid flowers ready to bloom; this being the flowering season—between June and December.
Orchids are sensitive compared to other flower plants as they are prone to diseases.

They are not grown like most flowers and one has to learn how to look after them. With Manda Orchids having thousands of plants grown in a season, Nyokabi Muthama, the director says she had be trained on how to take care of the plants.

The Kenya Orchid Society (KOS) with ardent flower lovers has taken up the tasks of training growers to increase production.

“I joined KOS to learn more about orchids.  I and some of my staff members have also taken some of their courses,” says Ms Muthama.

“To look after cut orchid flower, you need to change the water daily and cut about an inch of the stalk weekly,” she says.

‘‘Caring for the cut orchid, costs between Sh500 to Sh1,200 per stalk depending on location and time.’’

A Manda Orchid cymbidium bloom can last for a minimum of six weeks with proper care. She has been a member of the Kenya Orchid Society since 2004 when started the farm. The KOS was established in 1952 to teach people how to take care of orchids.

“I had always wanted to grow orchids and I didn’t know how to. I had tried many times, but they kept dying. This was before I learnt that most orchids are epiphytes; meaning that they do not grow in soil on the ground, but on trees and even on rocks. I joined the society about seven years ago and took the beginners course. Now, I have 200 orchid plants to look after,” says Anand Savani, the chairperson of the society.

Mr Savani is an orchid collector and the society has more than 120 members.

“We all share a love for nature and the wish to help conserve indigenous Kenyan orchids which are endangered because of habitat destruction. Among the various activities of the society is the re-introduction of indigenous orchids in Karura Forest, Nairobi,” he says.

Kakamega Forest, in Western Kenya, one of the few remaining tropical forests in the country, a hotspot for orchids and for the plant kingdom generally, is a protected area where collecting orchids is illegal.

Kenya Orchid Society also assists in conservation efforts by growing and multiplying different species in their gardens and greenhouses, sharing them with fellow members thus guaranteeing the survival of the species should they become extinct in the natural habitat.

The orchid society also organises shows at the Nairobi’s Sarit Centre every year.

This weekend, from the 17th to October 20th and with the theme “Orchid Festival”, flower lovers will have an opportunity to meet growers and purchase the plants in bloom grown locally and imported by the KOS from various countries like Holland, Taiwan and Thailand.

Cost of orchid

Mr Savani says this is the only time that one can buy orchids at affordable prices.

‘‘You can get a plant for as low as Sh1,000 or as high as Sh5,000. The growers will be there to give advice on how to care for your plant,’’ he said.

After this, the KOS judges usually hold beginners courses on orchid growing on five consecutive Saturdays. However, there is no fixed schedule as courses start as soon as a sizable number of people show interest.

‘‘Anybody interested in orchids can attend the classes,’’ Mr Savani said.

The society has an office at the Goan Gymkhana grounds, which open on Wednesdays between 9.30am to 11.30 am.