Orchid Farm

The program for the propagation of wild plants and the rescue of those whose habitat has been altered includes more than 72, 320 plants distributed in the nurseries. Among them, we find 17 endangered endemic species such as cactuses, ferns, insectivorous plants, the four mangrove tree species –buttonwood, red, black and white– and palm trees: kukab, chit, nak’as and guano ku’um, which are excessively exploited since they are used to construct the palapas, or thatched-huts.  Each year, 2, 000 plants approximately are rescued, representing 30 different species, principally palm trees.

On one side, the Orchid Farm, with a laboratory and a green house, was inaugurated in 1997, in order to continue the in vitro cultivation program, carried out two years before in a laboratory in the State of Mexico.

Out of the 35, 000  orchid species existing in the world, 21,000 are Mexican and 109 are found in the Yucatan Peninsula. Nevertheless, due to the great beauty and variety of their flowers and to the healing properties of some of them, they have been subject to unrestrained picking which, combined with deforestation, causes the extinction of many species.

Xcaret’s Orchid Farm started its work with twelve native species. Today, it propagates 95 species and 12 hybrids, mainly for reforestation purposes but also for trading, so as to reduce indirectly indiscriminate ransacking. The plant reproduction follows three stages: manual pollination, in vitro cultivation, and after two years, the transfer outdoors, first to flowerpots and then to its natural habitat.

The challenging in vitro process requires sophisticated technology, because germination is the most delicate stage in an orchid’s life; optimal conditions of asepsis are to be observed to prevent contamination, as well as a strict control of temperature, light, air and humidity. In the laboratory, near 5, 000 bottles are kept, each one with 25 to 50 plantlets that will turn into 25, 000 beautiful orchids. Xcaret’s orchid collection is increasing thanks to donations, exchanges and registered purchases.