In the midst of power outages, scarcity of resources, and the urban decay enveloping Cuba, agronomist Lorenzo Suárez Guerra has created a sanctuary at his home in San Miguel del Padrón, on the outskirts of Havana. There, he tends to a greenhouse filled with over 100 diverse species and hybrids of orchids.
Described by Reuters as an "urban oasis" amid the island's turmoil, Suárez Guerra's garden stands in stark contrast to the surrounding environment. "Each flower is unique," he shared in a recent interview. "Their colors, sizes, and cultivation methods fascinate me."
The beauty of Suárez Guerra's orchid collection starkly contrasts with the decaying surroundings, where streets are littered with trash, frequent blackouts engulf neighborhoods in darkness, and despair is a common sentiment.
Suárez Guerra's journey into the world of orchids wasn't by chance. He began his work with these plants in 2002 at the Higher Institute of Agricultural Sciences of Havana. In 2005, the Ministry of Agriculture funded a project to propagate terrestrial species native to Cuba in a lab setting.
The most significant achievement of this endeavor came in 2009, when Suárez Guerra registered Cuba's first ornamental hybrid: the Spathoglottis Bella Lorena, a crossbreed of two species within the genus. This variety was recognized by the Royal Horticultural Society in England and included in the official catalog of Cuba's Ministry of Agriculture.
"The orchid family is the largest and most evolved botanical family in the plant kingdom, encompassing over 30,000 genera," explained the specialist in a video shared by El País México.
The choice to work with the Spathoglottis genus was intentional. "It's a terrestrial genus that's easy to cultivate without needing additional elements for planting," he noted.
Besides the Bella Lorena, Suárez Guerra also developed another genotype named Spathoglottis Lorita, in honor of his daughter. Over 150 descendants of these varieties have been distributed across western Cuba, including the Orchid Garden of Soroa in Artemisa, the country's main orchid center boasting around 700 varieties.
Currently, the expert is focused on developing hybrids that are more resilient to current climatic conditions, aiming to alleviate the strain on wild Cuban orchids. This task has gained urgency amid Cuba's environmental degradation and resource shortages as of 2026.
"I'm creating hybrids that can withstand today's climate challenges while being more visually appealing, so people won't turn to the forests," Suárez Guerra asserted.
Exploring Orchid Cultivation in Cuba
Who is Lorenzo Suárez Guerra?
Lorenzo Suárez Guerra is a Cuban agronomist known for cultivating a vast collection of orchids in Havana, creating a unique oasis amid the country's crisis.
What is the significance of the Spathoglottis Bella Lorena?
The Spathoglottis Bella Lorena is Cuba's first registered ornamental hybrid, recognized by the Royal Horticultural Society and included in the Ministry of Agriculture's official catalog.
Why is orchid cultivation important in Cuba?
Orchid cultivation is crucial in Cuba as it helps preserve native species amid environmental deterioration and resource scarcity, providing a sustainable alternative to wild harvesting.