Flowers in the Desert

By / Por: Romana Lilic
Photos: / Fotos: LA76

Dwelling proudly at the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur, like a gift of nature, Todos Santos is one of the most picturesque Baja towns. It is a place where natives and new locals joyfully share the town’s beauty with curious visitors, searching to discover Todos Santos’s secret of pure living: from surfing and swimming beaches, colorful streets, and cheerful festivals honoring Mexican culture and tradition, to sel-indulgence enjoyed at gourmet restaurants and arts and crafts displayed at myriad of local galleries admired by many. Our trip was aimed at finding not what was hidden, but that which was visible only to those who were ready to discover a real treasure; an exotic paradise, hidden in the middle of the desert.

Despite its desert location, Baja California Sur is a place where you can discover a vast variety of different microclimates just by crossing a river, hill, or arroyo. Todos Santos almost imitates a Mediterranean climate where you are able to discover an unimaginable variety and abundance of plants and fruits you never thought you would be able to encounter in Baja.

Personally enchanted by the mesmerizing beauty of orchids and longing for my own orchid sanctuary, an orchid’s exhibition at the annual Todos Santos Art Festival lead me to search for a man exhibiting these beautiful plants. After a letter of introduction, Mr. Heriberto Parra Hake, agronomic engineer, who specializes in botanicals, is an orchid lover, an owner of a plant nursery and a promoter of Todos Santos culture, invited ESCAPES to visit his garden. This garden proved to be a true Garden of Eden on Earth, boasting exotic plants, fruits, flowers, noche buenas (Christmas flower, called Poinsettia in English), and not the least, an impressive private collection of orchids.

For many, an orchid is a symbol of unattainable perfection. Its beauty is immaculate, its shapes unimaginable, and its color variety unmatched. The orchid is certainly the most diverse plant species, with an array of fascinating blooms. While it may appear very fragile, in wilderness it lives in the most remote and harsh places. Monarchs of the plant kingdom, orchids are arguably the largest family of flowering plants. It is estimated that there are over 30,000 different orchid species on our planet, and new species are still being discovered. On top of this, there are over 100,000 registered hybrid strains, which have been artificially produced.

Many professionals claim orchids are among the most developed plants on the planet. It is believed that with their smell, energy and micro-vibration, we can cure basic illnesses, physical, emotional and spiritual, and Heriberto shares that belief. Today we already have beauty products with orchid extracts, and I believe that sometime in the not so distant future, we will use orchids in medicine as well.

So, one would think, how could such fragile and delicate plants, which love humidity and rainy and spring-like seasons, survive in Baja with average year-round temperature 78 F and 350 sunny days? Heriberto built a special nursery for them, with sprinklers and semi-shade, which gives them optimum growing and blooming conditions. The microclimate of Todos Santos helps with it as well. Orchids are part of his personal collection and you will not be able to persuade him to sell you one. You can though (occasionally) get them in specialized flower boutiques. Orchids are exciting and deeply gratifying to grow. But, don’t say that you haven’t been warned – orchid growing may become an addiction and life-long indulgence.

Aside his private orchid garden, which Heriberto has been growing for already more than 8 years, he proudly guided us through his big garden and nursery of exotic plants and fruits. Seasonal flowers and fruits can be purchased at the nursery, and he makes fruit baskets and flower arrangements for hotels and personal orders. His wish one day is to open a flower store, featuring non conventional flowers.

If you visit Vivero Todos Santos, you will be able to indulge in:
AFRICAN VIOLETS  /  MIRACLE GLOW  /  NOCHE BUENAS IN MANY COLORS  /  GINGER  /  HELICONIA  /  COFFEE PLANT  /  MACADAMIA  /  VANILLA  /  LICHI  /  ESTRELLA  /  MARAKUYA  /  CHIRIMOYA  /  AMENA  /  POMEGRANADE  /  NISPERO  /  JACKFRUIT  /  CASHEW NUT  /  SUNFLOWER  /  DECORATIVE CABBAGE  /  GERBERAS  /  PLUMS  /  VARIOUS MANGO SPECIES  /  PALM TREES  /  BANANA TREES  /  and many, many more.

Vivero Todos Santos
Barrio La Cachora
(+52) 612 145 0225