Photos

That's my second post from Bangkok's famous flower market, this time with orchids. Incredible how many different orchids in all colors are available in this daily market and moreover how affordable they are.

Not only has Thailand the right climate but the kingdom also has a long history of orchid trade, especially for export. About 54% of the orchids produced in Thailand are exported and the reminder is used domestically, mostly for religious and spiritual reasons.

Although Thailand is a natural habitat for several species of Orchids, the interest to cultivate them for commercial sale only began with the introduction of some exotic species by foreigners in 1913. The Orchid society of Thailand was formed under royal patronage in 1957. Tissue culture propagation and work on Orchids only started a decade later at the Chulalongkorn University.

Today, Bangkok and nearby provinces are major orchid producers covering about 2.300 hectares. The other major Thai orchid cultivation centers are Nonthaburi, Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, Pathumthani and Chonburi.