CubaPLUS Magazine

Converted into a Botanical Garden of national importance, the Soroa Orquideario, located in the municipality of Candelaria, in the western province of Artemisa, in addition to being a fascinating Eden, is an efficient science irradiation center, subordinated to the University of Pinar del Río.

It holds the status of being National Heritage and is graced by belonging to the Soroa tourist complex, one of the most emblematic and beautiful recreational sites in the country, for its natural and scenic gifts. But the Orchid Garden was born on the right foot in 1943, at the initiative of Tomás Felipe Camacho, a lawyer of Canarian origin, a member of the Cuban Orchid Society, affiliated with the American Orchid Society and the Eastern Orchid Congress.

Camacho came to prominence as the owner of an extensive collection of these beautiful flowers, made up of some 18,000 specimens, including almost all known Dendrobiums, both species and hybrids. Tradition has it that it was love for his wife Pilar de León that led Camacho to create the now famous Soroa Orchideary, since she and later her daughter especially loved these beautiful flowers and he, of course, loved them madly.

He first pleased them in life, but when misfortune took them early, the passion for the cultivation of these plants became a cult in homage to his loved ones in that unique man who was not a botanist by profession. The work, with its incorporated dwelling house, was finished in 1953. From the beginning the growing Orquideario began to gain fame, to attract visitors, although it was never used as a source of profit by its owner.

In addition, from its first years it was an institution of specialized and consecrated work, directed by a Japanese technician at the head of a team of farmers who were intensely dedicated to the care and conservation of plants. It was managed by an honest Cuban who was a hard worker, Agapito Hernández, also decisive in the flourishing of said company.

Today this marvelous garden has an area of 35,000 square meters dedicated mainly to the cultivation of orchids, both endemic and exotic, some growing on live plants and others in shades. In short, more than 20,000 specimens of 700 species of this delicate flower flourish there. It is a priority there, as always, the work dedicated to the conservation and promotion of the environment, in all its splendor. Crotos, Ferns and other families of tropical flora grow there.

Of course, it is a privileged site for Orchids. There are unique specimens, of invaluable value, under special protection. In the shade called Orchideogram, flowered Orchids of delicate beauty in terms of shapes and color, as well as an exquisite perfume, can be admired.

This beautiful botanist not only deals with Cuban flora, he also shows specimens from Asia, Central and South America.