Orchid De Villa

Sabah largest Orchid Farm, "Orchid De Villa" 40 minute from Kota Kinabalu. Hybrid orchids are grown in commercial scale, “ Borneo Orchids'' are also grown in a special section.

Orchids, one of the most astonishingly varied plant families in the world, symbolize the extravagant beauty of the tropics. Their often flamboyant colors, bizarre shapes, and sizes ranging from flowers little larger than a pin head to necklace-like streams of large blooms, never fail to intrigue.

Orchid de Villa, established in 1995 on almost 5 hectares (12 acres) of rural land, offers visitors to Kota Kinabalu a wonderful opportunity to see thousands of glorious orchids in bloom. Located in a picturesque valley near the traditional Kadazandusun village of Kampung Kawakaan, Orchid de Villa is roughly 30 minutes' drive from downtown Kota Kinabalu, and from beachside resorts at Karambunai and Pantai Dalit.

The final stage of the drive to Orchid de Villa passes by simple local villages, paddy fields, orchards of tropical fruit, vegetable farms, huge clumps of bamboo and patches of forest in a region that was first settled in around 1930. On their tour of Orchid de Villa (lasting approximately 1/2 hours), visitors will enjoy discovering some of the lush beauty of the tropics in a peaceful rural setting. Initially established as a commercial orchid nursery growing hybrid blooms to meet the demand for cut flowers, Orchid de Villa has expanded to include a large number of rare native orchids grown in their natural habitats.

Hybrid orchids are the result of crossing various species to obtain flowers which are remarkable for their striking color, unusual markings and ability to last longer than many native blooms. More than one-third of Orchid de Villa is occupied by special shaded areas where hybrids are grown, mostly from seedlings imported from Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia.

The most common hybrid species here include Aranda, Dendrobium, Mokara and Oncidium. Watching the sorting and packing of hundreds of brilliant flower stems—cut each day to supply local florists—is a truly unforgettable sight.

The island of Borneo contains around 10% of the world's orchids, while in Sabah, roughly 1,200 native species have been described. Orchid de Villa offers visitors the rare opportunity of viewing more than 300 species of native orchid in the one place. Wild orchids obtained from different regions of Sabah have been established in their natural habitat, either on soil, on trees or on rocks. Visitors following trails along the hillside and past small ponds or streams may see such plants as the rare and endangered slipper orchid or Paphiopedilum, the giant elephant ear orchid (Phalaenopsis gigantea), and the delicate Bulbophyllum lobbii found only on Mount Kinabalu.

As well its range of orchids, Orchid de Villa has intriguing carnivorous pitcher plants, a large variety of exotic cacti and many colorful tropical plants. Facilities include a snack bar, fish pond, spring-fed swimming pool, a replica of a traditional Chinese farm house and accommodation in cottages. Simple conference facilities are also available.

Orchid De Villa was established by entrepreneur Mr Liew Fook Fah in 1995 with an area of 12 acres. Commercial orchid planting (cut flowers) is the main attraction in the Villa, which attracts local and foreign tourism.

Orchid De Villa is located about 20 kilometers or 30 minutes' drive from Kota Kinabalu City centre. This short journey treats visitors with delightful sights of traditional 'kampung9 (village) houses, paddy fields, hillsides and coastal forest.

Orchid De Villa was officially opened by YAB Datuk Chong Kah Kiat, Chief Minister of Sabah on 7th February 2002.

Orchid De Villa is situated in the heart of the village named Kampung Kawakaan in Inanam which dates back to 1930. According to the Kadazan/Dusun dialect, the word 'Kawakaan' means plenty of rattan (cane).

Most villagers are descendants from the Kadazan/Dusun tribes and still live the traditional way of life practicing farming. The Harvest Festival is celebrated every year. This is the chief way of paying respect to mother nature for granting a good harvest after working hard for the past year. Visitors are encouraged to participate in this whole new experience of cultural celebrations, which run throughout the month of May.

Commercial orchid cultivating covers four acres of hybrid orchids. Most of the seedlings are imported from Thailand and West Malaysia. The hybrids consist of Dendrobium, Mokara, Aranda, Oncidium and others.

From these beautiful orchids, fresh flowers are cut daily and supplied to local florists. During the blooming season, the spectacular sight at the flower bay (where the freshly cut flowers are sorted and packed for delivery) is one to behold, resembling a "sea of flowers."

Sabah is home to more than 1,000 species of the 30,000 species of orchids known to man. The Villa has more than 200 species ranging from the wild to exotic, rare species. Wild orchids are collected mostly from Tenom, Lahad Datu, Ranau, Tawau, Keningau, and Kota Belud. Every species is planted following its natural habitat requirements, such as on soil (as in terrestrial forms), on trees (for epiphytic orchids) and rocks (so-called lithophytic forms). Visitors are invited to explore and learn about the many species of orchids that Borneo is so famous for.

Besides viewing orchids, visitors also have the opportunity to see a large selection of cacti, herbal plants, tropical forest trees, ferns and shrubs.

Apart from enjoying the alluring beauty of orchids and the serenity of green nature, the Villa also features other facilities, such as a fishpond, swimming pool, cottage and a house of antiques.

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