Hi ~
My guy and I, and another couple are arriving in Bonaire May 12. In addition to expecting to be newly obsessed with SCUBA (I'm completing my pool work here, and will get my open water certification in Bonaire)I have a longstanding love of orchids and other sorts of flowers. I don't see any discussion about the native plant life, and wondered if someone could give me some tips or links. Thanks!
~ Sandra in Long Beach, California

Sandra, check under Bonaire Nature Organizations area further down on the Bonaire Talk list. Most of the info there is about animals and birds, but I bet someone like Ellen might know about the possibilities of orchids. It's pretty dry on Bonaire. I've never seen any orchids, but then, I wasn't really looking.

My friends father raises orchids as a hobby and has a wealth of knowledge. I am sure he will be happy take the time to meet you.

We definitely have orchids. I have two varieties in a tree on our patio. One blossoms a couple times a year with beautiful little purple flowers. The other has never bloomed in the 2 plus years I've lived in this house. An friend orchid enthusiast from NH isn't sure what kind it is and has requested a picture of the flowers should it bloom.

Linda, check with Diana's father...he knows all the local and imported varieties.

Michael ~
I'd welcome a chance to meet with him. I'm new to this board, but we'll be staying at Buddy's Dive from May 12 - May 19. I have been raising orchids for about 7 years, and am more than a little obsessed. Thanks for your reply!
~ Sandra in Long Beach

I'm specially interested in flowers,too. So if anyone has pics or text in this regard, I'd like to see them.Thanks to Ellen for a couple she's shown.

When you are at Buddy Dive, Carol, the Market Manager will put you in touch with me...in the meantime, I will talk to Dians's fahther and tell him to bursh up on his flower knowledge.

Thanks, I'll do that! (jotting names down) Any California specialties I can bring your way?

If you bring a Wall Street Journal for the gentleman whose orchids you will visit, that will be great.

Done. That's easy. And Linda, I'd be happy to give identifying your unknown a shot. Not to say I'm an expert, but I know a bit. Can't wait to see how the local coral compares to orchids!