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Cuba's Urban Oasis: Orchids Bloom Amidst Hardship
8 Sep
Summary
- Lorenzo Suarez cultivates 100 orchid species in a Havana greenhouse.
- He bred Cuba's first ornamental orchid hybrid in 2009.
- New hybrids aim to protect endangered native orchids from harvesting.
In a rundown Havana neighborhood, Lorenzo Suarez has transformed his home into a thriving sanctuary for orchids. His greenhouse showcases 100 diverse species and hybrids, offering a splash of color and beauty against the backdrop of Cuba's economic challenges, marked by frequent blackouts and shortages.
Suarez, an agricultural engineer by training, initially worked on improving staple crops like tomatoes and rice. His passion shifted to orchids, leading him to breed Cuba's first ornamental hybrid, a pink, yellow, and white creation named 'Bella Lorena' in 2009.
His current focus is on cross-breeding native Cuban orchids with imported varieties. This initiative aims to protect the island's approximately 300 native orchid species, many of which are endangered. The new hybrids are designed to be more resistant to rising temperatures while maintaining their aesthetic appeal, thus discouraging people from collecting wild specimens.
