Air Orchid Heaven

Hello, dear Blog friends! Today I want to share some flower love. Let’s head off away from city life, in search of some fresh air and flowers at one of my favourite day trips out of Bangkok.

There are thousands of different types of orchids here in Thailand and what better place to learn about the exotic orchidaceae than at Air Orchid Supermarket in Nakhon Pathom.

Won’t you join me for a wander?

Tell me about the Air Orchid Supermarket?

This isn’t any regular supermarket like you and I know, with aisles filled with mundane and boring everyday items. No this is a botanist or orchidists dream – is Orchidist the right word? Whatever it is, I want to be one!

The supermarket is a massive orchid farm with row upon row of stunning orchids with their delicate roots trailing in the warm breeze and unpronounceable tropical names. They even have complimentary bicycles so you can take a ride out into the fields.

In this supermarket, before long your trolly will be full of orchids and all manner of orchid paraphernalia. You can also find Thai ceramic elephant bowls for your new flowers, orchid food, coconut bark to protect the roots, there is a small selection of other green plants and we even ended up buying some cactus.

Yes I know that’s what happens when you take a man shopping!

I didn’t much love cactus either but Mr Wren does and they seem to work at the end of our bath and somehow become wonderfully uplifting haha.

In fact, any trip to Air Orchids is wonderfully uplifting. It’s the perfect combination of beauty meets learning, at least it is for me a newbie to orchid care…

The Life Cycle at Air Orchids

The staff at Air Orchids pride themselves on the educational aspect of their work, and if you are an orchid novice, as were are, do not fear. We have always found the friendly owner on hand with his great English, to give us specific instructions of how often to water and when to spray the orchids.

Although my favourite tip came from a friend’s grandmother, which was to put an ice cube a week on the orchid. It gently melts with just the right amount of water… well it melts with a whoosh here in Thailand but you get the idea.

I was fascinated to learn a little more about the life cycle of plants at Air Orchids. As you wander around you will see all the various stages of a typical air orchid.

An air orchid uses its airborne roots to absorb the moisture and carbon dioxide they need to thrive directly from the air.

I had no idea that orchids here start with the flask stage – this produces a sterile condition for the vital nutrients. It’s a numbers game. Here in Thailand where you can literally buy a 100 stems of orchids for a few Baht, they need to grow a humongous amount of orchids.

I loved seeing how the newbies are grown.

Here in the orchid laboratory, you could be forgiven for thinking you’re in a medical facility. The staff wear matching lab coats with hats covering their hair and paper masks on their faces to protect the sterile conditions. This is a seemingly high tech, low tech business!

Air Orchids also pride themselves on being at the forefront of the country’s orchid cultivation and development. This is one of Thailand’s oldest orchid farms and they have bred over 1,500 orchid hybrids over the years.

Why are orchids so special in Thailand?

The unofficial national flower of Thailand is in natural abundance here. Thailand is home to the greatest number of orchids in Asia. They are popular abroad also as almost 45% of all Thai orchids are for the export market.

Orchids are used to decorate and to bless, at every turn and temple you will come across the not so humble orchid.

It was incredible to see the orchid love at Bangkok’s Flower Market during the late King Rama 9’s cremation in 2017.

Shopping galore:

Orchid Supermarket is open to the public daily 9 am – 4 pm. There is a sign at the door which says locals free, foreigners 30 Baht, but we have never been charged.

Mind you, maybe that’s because we’re doing this mad, excitable supermarket-shop type dash around the site. They’d have a hard time catching up with us.

When it all becomes all too hot and exhausting, we head for the air con comfort to relax in the great little cafe. Oh, and they also have a good bathroom – never pass a good loo in Thailand!

You can bring your own flowerpots from home, and the staff will repot your chosen orchids. Each stem is wrapped for transportation with extreme care. Staff place the orchids gently in a box for ease of transportation. Each delicate bloom is carefully covered with tissue paper for protection.

Just when you think this experience can’t get any better, they knock a few hundred Baht off the impossibly low price because you are a good customer.

Where is Air Orchid Supermarket?

The Air Orchid Supermarket is approximately 50 km west of central Bangkok. It takes about 75 mins to drive there on a good run!

Travel by public transport: The nearest station is Klong Bang Phai (purple line) and you can take a taxi from here. Just don’t let the taxi driver leave, as you will find it difficult to hail a passing cab. There is not much else around other than orchids

I want to be in the orchid business, the staff and customers always look so happy here! Oh, hang on a minute, I AM in the orchid business. Our apartment is looking like pop-up orchid shop at the moment!

We live high up, almost in the clouds some days. Today a lovely little bird soared high to admire our orchids and sing us a loud song.

‘Happiness is a little bird on your orchid!’ 

Little Wandering Wren

More Information is found at:   www.airorchidthailand.com
32/1 Moo 3, Naraphirom, Nakhon Pathom
T: (085) 168 7077 , (089) 494 9900

Linking with thanks to Angie at Mosaic Monday, Nick at Floral Friday Foto and all the hosts at Our World Tuesday