Orchids
Talk about Davao’s beauty and you’ll think about the colorful flora and fauna of the King City of the South. Blessed with abundance, Davao boasts of nature’s best – from mountains to beaches and an all-year supply of fruits and local deli. Plus, Davao is known for being home to hundreds of endemic species.
One of the things that stand for Davao is the waling-waling (Vanda Sanderana). This rare orchid, known as the Queen of Philippine Orchids, blooms between July to October. It grows in high altitude but can be bred in urban areas with proper care. Every orchid hobbyist would undoubtedly have some hybrids of waling-waling.
During major festivities in Davao, like the Araw ng Dabaw and Kadayawan, most tourists flock around trade fairs to buy this exotic beauty. Seedlings cost around P25 but you will have to patiently wait for a year before it flowers. If you’re impatient, or maybe give it as a gift, the flowering ones range between P700 to more than P1,000. But you can wake up with a beautiful morning when you see this flower bloom in your garden. Then, you’ll know it’s worth the pay.
Aside from waling-waling, Davao also has other orchid species. Some of these include dancing lady, vandal, dendrobium, Phalaenopsis heiroglyphica, and Trichoglottis. There are plenty of orchid farms in the city where you can get the best price for your pick. One of these is Puentespina Garden which owns the Malagos Garden Resort in Calinan District. You can visit their main office downtown Davao located in Cabaguio Avenue. But if you want to get a cool fresh air, travel to Calinan for about 45 minutes and see more than their orchids. If you go there on weekends, you’ll get to see their bird show. And don’t forget to order their ostrich steak!
Then from the Malagos Garden, go directly to the Philippine Eagle Center, just one kilometer away. There you’ll see wild orchids grow in their natural habitat. Caution: DON’T PICK anything, okay? Or the eagles will pick you alive!
Bonsai
There is beauty in simplicity. I think about these five words when I see bonsai plants. In the smallness of these plants, their beauty flourishes. No wonder why thousands of people get hooked in growing bonsai.
Growing bonsai is an art. This age-old hobby first appeared in China, contrary to what I thought that it originated from Japan. It was then known as pun-sai when ancient Chinese people during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.) grew single specimen trees in pots. Legends point to an emperor who made miniature landscapes of his empire where he can see from his window. He gloried on his masterpiece and threatened anybody who tried to copy his passion.
During the Heian period (794 – 1191A.D.), Buddhist monks brought bonsai to Japan. In its early years there, only rich people grew bonsai. The art almost died away with those who practiced it. Thanks to the Chinese invasion in the 14th century that the love for bonsai was revived.
In the mid-19th century, Japan opened its doors to the world. People who visited the country went home spreading the word about the miniature trees grown in ceramic containers. Global opportunities came when bonsai were exhibited in France, Vienna and London. It was this time that the world fell in love with these small but stunning plants.
Today, there is a growing demand in the bonsai market as more people prefer zen architecture. Putting a bonsai in your living room gives you a refreshing feeling after having a hectic day at work. It is not too hard to find these plants because these are widely sold in flower shops, department stores and even in groceries (check out NCCC Mall and SM City Davao!) Or if you have a green thumb, you can make your own bonsai. You can try asking help from hobbyists and they can give you hands on training.
But have you ever heard of a bonsai forest? Oh yes, there is and you find it here in Mindanao! The bonsai forest is found in Mt. Hamiguitan in San Isidro, Davao Oriental. Here, you’ll find a thousand-hectare of trees growing to only two to three feet tall. The tallest of these trees stand 5 feet! This unique gift from nature is home to various species of wildlife, including the majestic Philippine Eagle. The forest is a protected area but is open for mountain climbers.
If you want to trek, you can check out San Isidro’s website (www.sanisidro.gov.ph) on how you can reach the place and how much you’ll need.