Nursery
Although floriculture is a small industry in Fiji, South Sea Orchids has played a huge role in its development as a viable commercial endeavour.
Don and Aileen Burness revived the Garden of the Sleeping Giant orchid farm from 1984, and at the end of the 80s moved their operations to Saweni Beach, just outside of Lautoka. It was here that they established dendrobium orchids for a cut flower business.
The Burness’acknowledge the support of the late Dr. Yoneo Sagawa, a renowned horticulture professor from Hawaii, and Dr. Andrew McGregor, for providing technical advice to initially start an outgrower program (FSA) with women in Fiji.
Today, the South Sea Orchid nursery is based at Nasau, just outside Nadi, and is home to a wide variety of cut flowers. In addition to the dendrobium orchid, there are mokara orchids, anthuriums, gingers and heliconias.
There are also a variety of potted plants available, which include phalaenopsis orchids, vanda orchids, and guzmanias.
Due to their experience in the industry, the Burness’ also conduct workshops to provide the technical advice to interested growers of these plants. Workshops are organised for local, regional and international participants.
Anthuriums
Anthurium Andrianum
Anthuriums (anthurium andrianum) are renowned for their wide range of colours and types and their exceptional long vase life. The most recent importation of Anthuriums has been by SSO from Holland, the world leader in the production of anthurium planting material.
BROMELIADS
Aechmea fasciata
(Urn Plant or Silver Vase Plant) makes a great houseplant because it’s beautiful and low-maintenance.
Neoregelia
Neoregelia are compact and typically form a “cup” in the middle which gathers water and debris for nutrition Their leaves are often spotted, banded, or marbled, giving them a gorgeous accent of color and a lot of character. The central leaves will often bear a different color when in bloom.
Guzmanias
Guzmanias are perennial plants in the bromeliad family. They can be used in high end landscaping displays and also make ideal indoor potted plants where the bloom can last several month.
Orchids
Dendrobium Cutflowers
The dendrobium orchids commercially grown in Fiji have been sourced from the University of Hawaii (UH) ( the ‘Uniwai Series’). It can be generally characterized as vigorous plants with high yields of 10-20 or more sprays annually. UH dendrobiums are the most sought after cutflower in Fiji. Their delicate beauty, attractive colours and long vase life mean they are high in demand from the tourist industry and local people alike. These orchids convey an image of prestige and a sophisticated lifestyle and take pride of place in wreaths, bouquets and flower arrangements.
Dendrobium Orchid Pot plants
Apart from some older pot plants imported originally from Hawaii majority of the pot plant stock originated from Thailand and a few come from Athura in Holland.
Strap Leaf Vanda
Are best grown in shade houses or under a scattered tree canopy with 50% to 60% shade.
Phalaenopsis
Phalaenopsis are one of the longest blooming orchid genera, producing flowers that last from 2 to 6 months before dropping! Phalaenopsis have also been known to bloom 2 to 3 times per year once they have reached a mature size. Phalaenopsis orchids are also very popular as an indoor pot plant display.
Cattleya
It typically has large, fragrant flowers which last for a shorter period of time than other orchids. Cattleyas are epiphytes (tree-growing) orchids that grow high up in jungle canopies. These orchids like well-drained roots, and a lot of light.
Mokara
Mokara orchids are quite versatile and some varieties can be acclimatized to full sun abd can even be grown on an embankment with coconut husk and wire mesh to prop up the plants.
Aranda
Aranda orchids are hybrids between Arachnis and Vanda orchids, combining the best features of each for superb texture, colour and form.They like full sun. They can be planted in pots or wooden slats and charcoal chips or in beds of wood mulching and teak wood staking for support.. They are extremely free flowering and are very Hardy.
