A less beaten track in Jamaica

We have been spending a lot of time back and forthing to the spot where our daughter will get married. Today we tried to finalize arrangements in St. Mary Parish, on the North coast. As part of the discussion we decided we needed to see some orchids that were "in the greenhouse" up the road. Off we went along another dirt road to the Green Castle Estate. This farm apparently deals in cattle, coconuts, bananas, and... orchids.

Growing orchids on this scale is amazing. On this farm there were 5 or 6 huge shaded "greenhouses", filled to the brim with orchids of many, many varieties.

The place had piles and piles of river run gravel, which seems to be used as the base layer upon which nylon blankets are placed. In turn, tables in long rows hold the plants.

This was the rough scale of one of the buildings. This particular one had pots directly on the blankets or matting.

These buildings required rain to be drained on a large basis.

Inside, the displays were amazing. The first we saw (below) was not for sale, but the others were available in small to commercial quantities.

Here are some of the ones we saw. You can click to see a larger copy.

Of all of them my favorites were this one, which had a cinnamon odor, completely unexpected in an orchid.

And these, which had such a pure beauty.

For flower aficionados, you would not believe the price - about $10 US for a dozen blooms. Here is a guy who just picked part of a commercial order.

The trip was completed by seeing this very different method of growing.

And by the mushrooms found on the site.

And by a unique food found along the way home.