UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
When we came back home in the late 80s, I went into orchid raising to tide us over while my medical practice was still starting. In just 2,000 square meters, I was able to supply cut orchids to flower shops in Manila. This provided for a comfortable life at that time.
It was basically all importations from Thailand that moved the industry after the Hawaiian orchids became too expensive. Very few were raising and selling Philippine orchids, yet we have 1,100 orchid species, including 900 that are endemic (only found in the Philippines). And some are still waiting to be discovered.
This is the best in show winner. A descendant of our own Phalaenopsis amabilis
Ironically, it was the iconic Waling-waling that gave rise to the orchid industries of Hawaii and Thailand, providing them with the genetic material of our majestic Vanda sanderiana (scientific name of Waling-waling). From it, they developed thousands of hybrids that are highly desired all over the world.
The same goes for our moth orchids (Phalaenopsis), many of which are the ancestors of the classic white-and-pink orchid flowers cascading gracefully, adorning shops, offices, and restaurants almost everywhere in the world. From these Philippine species, Taiwan now has a multi-million dollar industry exporting orchids all over the world, earning it US$207.4 million in 2021. Yet Taiwan only has 400 native orchids, compared to the Philippines.
Gold medal winner Cattleya hybrid
This is the best in show winner. A descendant of our own Phalaenopsis amabilis[/caption] This was evident in the latest edition of the Taiwan International Orchid Show, which I attended with friends just this weekend. This show attracts visitors from all over the world and generates more sales for Taiwan. As I viewed the winning exhibits, it struck me that three of the 10 major winners were Philippine species, while four others were hybrids descended from our orchids. The gorgeous display was made up of thousands of Phalaenopsis flowers in white, pink, and yellow derived from our Mariposa, supplemented by Vandas descended from Waling-waling, in a dazzling array of colors. Truly, without our native orchids, this would not have been possible.
Amesiella philippinensis, a Philippine endemic species
Sadly, up to now we’re still importing orchid hybrids and species from Thailand and Taiwan, amounting to millions of pesos, including our very own endemic species. It is reminiscent of our other agricultural debacles like rice, sugar, and now onions. Why can’t we get our act together once and for all for our agricultural sector to become a vibrant partner in nation-building?
Vanda lamellata, another Philippine species
The answer is: There is no government support for agriculture, or in this instance, horticulture. It has such a huge potential if only our government would turn to our experts for advice and heed them. Instead, it is actually hindering the progress with over-regulation. The Philippines is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which is well and good. It is meant to preserve critically endangered plants and animals from extinction. We have a ban on the gathering of endangered orchids and other plants, yet there is no provision for protecting our forests. Instead, it seems we are hell-bent on destroying our remaining forest cover (now only 23 percent, or around seven million hectares) through mining, logging, and farming, not to mention development for human habitation.
Rhynchostylis retusa, endemic Philippine species
Pinalia floribunda-another Philippine species
Phalaenopsis hybrid descended from our Phalaenopsis schilleriana
In a very short time, we will face an ecological disaster brought about by human greed. So how can we protect our endangered species? Conservation can be either in-situ (preserving orchids in their native habitats), or ex-situ (culturing in artificial conditions). We are obviously failing with in-situ conservation as habitat destruction continues, and many wild orchids are still being traded locally. Our DENR is actively engaged in ferreting out these penny-ante sellers in weekend markets and penalizing hobbyists who are caring for these orchids. But without a good in-situ conservation program, these beautiful plants, which contribute to ecological diversity and a dazzling landscape, will be lost to extinction.
Phalaenopsis hybrid descendant of our native species
We need to start an ex-situ conservation program for orchids, meaning to culture them in controlled conditions, breed and expand their populations, and re-introduce them back to their native habitats. In the process, we can create a viable orchid industry which will reduce the need to gather orchids in the wild, and at the same time earn valuable foreign exchange by exporting them, instead of being a dollar-drainer with all the importations. It will not be necessary to run after sellers if they can buy from legitimate sources that will contribute taxes to the government.
The Taiwan orchid industry did not exist in the 1980s. When sugar cultivation became a sunset industry, the Taiwan government shifted its focus to orchids, essentially starting from scratch. It not only subsidized orchid growers but actively set up greenhouses, which the growers rented. They started by importing good stock from Hawaii and other countries, including the Philippines, and started a hybridizing program that resulted in the multiplicity of beautiful orchids being exported worldwide. It is a success story worth emulating.