Ann De Temmerman’s passion for orchids began a very long time ago, as a young teenager in Ghent, Belgium. A friend of hers had a small greenhouse, and she can still remember being fascinated by it, and by the idea that you can grow these extraordinary plants yourself.
“Something about orchids stayed with me,” she recalls. “I didn't know then, that – more than 50 years later – I would still be thinking about them. The idea simply went into the back of my mind: ‘One day, I will grow orchids’ – and eventually, I did.”
When did orchids become part of your life?
It really started when I moved to the tropics. Suddenly, I was living in a climate where orchids could become part of everyday life rather than something you only admired in a greenhouse.
I started with a small personal collection. I bought plants simply because I liked them, which – looking back – was probably not the best way to begin! I had a lot to learn. Some orchids didn't survive because they simply weren't suited to our climate. Others died because I hadn't yet understood what they needed. Every plant I lost taught me something.
Little by little, I learned to observe rather than simply follow instructions – how a plant grows; where it wants to be; how much air it needs; how it reacts to rain, sun and humidity. And, perhaps most importantly, I learned that orchids don't all want the same things.
When did the hobby become a business?
Only recently, really: Now that I am somewhat semi-retired, I finally have the time to give this passion the attention it deserves. Green Vibes is, in many ways, the continuation of that 14-year-old girl's idea.
I never imagined it would become a large business. I want to keep it small, personal and very much connected to the plants themselves. For me, it is about sharing something I love and helping other people discover that orchids don't necessarily have to be difficult.
That seems to be an important part of your philosophy.
Absolutely! There is a common idea that orchids are delicate, complicated plants that require constant attention. In reality, I think that quite often, we make them more complicated than they need to be.
Over the years, I developed my own growing mixture, which I use for most of my orchids – coconut chips, organic charcoal and perlite. I like it because it is simple, airy and doesn't decompose easily. It also drains extremely well – which is particularly important here in the tropics.
One of the biggest mistakes people make with orchids, is actually loving them a little too much – especially with water! Overwatering is one of the main reasons orchids are lost. Good drainage and plenty of air around the roots can make an enormous difference.
What varieties do you grow?
My collection is quite diverse. I grow Cattleya, Oncidium, Grammatophyllum, Phalaenopsis, Vanda, Dendrobium and Brassavola, among others. I am always attracted to varieties that have something special about them, whether it’s their flowers, fragrance, growth habit or simply their personality.
What makes Green Vibes different?
I am always looking for orchids that are a little bit unusual. Plants that make you stop and look twice. But spectacular is not enough for me. I also want the plants to be able to live happily outdoors in our tropical environment.
My aim is to offer orchids that are beautiful, sometimes quite extraordinary, but also realistic for someone who wants to enjoy them rather than spend their entire life worrying about them. I particularly love orchids that can be grown naturally – mounted, suspended, attached to wood or simply allowed to grow as they would in nature. I don't want everything to look perfectly controlled.
Which orchids have a special place in your heart?
That would have to be the Vandas. There is something almost impossible to resist about them. Their flowers can be spectacular, their colours extraordinary, and some varieties are beautifully fragrant.
And then there is the way they grow. Their roots are part of the plant's personality; they don't necessarily need to be hidden away in a pot. A mature Vanda hanging freely, with its roots exposed and its flowers appearing almost effortlessly is one of my favourite sights. I suppose I love orchids that have a little bit of character.
What would you like people to feel when they discover Green Vibes?
I would like them to see orchids differently – not as precious little plants that need to be protected from everything but as living, tropical plants that can become part of their outdoor environment. I want people to experience the pleasure I have found in watching a plant settle somewhere, grow new roots, produce a new leaf and then, sometimes months later, surprise you with a flower.
That is really what keeps me fascinated. There is always something happening. And perhaps that is why the idea that began when I was 14 never really disappeared. It was simply waiting for the right place, the right climate and the right moment to grow. Green Vibes is ultimately a business born from a lifelong passion, but the passion came first.
