By contrast, the gusts of wind that would bring interchanging rain showers and bright bursts of sunlight made Arenal Volcano National Park more fitting for the species of Phragmipedium and Sobralia that could be found there. In the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, I was surrounded by Pleurothallidinae and Maxillaria thriving in the cool, misty habitat as they grew on shaded trees.
These orchids could be found in different sections of the forest depending on the microclimate preferences of each genus.
During my visit, I ventured through cloud forest and rain forest habitats, keeping an eye out for any in situ ('in the original place') orchids that I could spot along the trails. In February of 2022, I had the pleasure of traveling to the tropical country of Costa Rica. In some recent travels of mine, I found that the value of today's orchid availability can truly be appreciated with a trip into the jungle! Yet, behind each of these fantastic flowers is a legacy of both natural species-specific traits and intentional selections by orchid collectors and breeders. Within minutes, we're showered with colors ranging from white to dark purple, bright green to vibrant red, and everything in between. Browsing the wide array of flower photos displayed on orchid websites, our eyes fall upon one beautiful blooming image after another.
