Gubler Orchids

Funny how close things look on a map. When I was contemplating a trip out to Gubler Orchids, I didn't realize that I would have to drive 400 miles round trip!

Landers California, is an "unincorporated community" according to Wikipedia. It has long been reputed as a place where people get messages from extra-terrestrials. My initial impression of the place, is that it is ideal for folks who prefer their solitude, far away from any urban development. It was here that Hans Gubler moved his orchid growing operation from Los Angeles. Han's father, an immigrant from Switzerland, started selling orchids from the back of his station wagon. Han's children now run the operation. It makes my heart glad to see yet another example of  American entrepreneurism at work.

According to Chris Gubler, the desert sunlight is a major advantage to their growing operation. Even so, it was an overcast day when I arrived.

  

The retail sales area

Gubler supplies Lowes home center with orchid plants, and unlike other suppliers to the box stores, still labels its plants. This is mighty important to any serious orchid grower. An unlabeled or "lost label" plant cannot be used as a parent, nor entered into a judging with the American Orchid Society.

Several other visitors arrived during my stay there, including a very nice family from the San Francisco Bay area. We were part of the same tour group together through Gubler's greenhouses.

As we arrived in the first greenhouse, I noticed that the benches are arranged without walkways in between, thus maximizing growing space. Considering the booming wholesale business Gubler conducts, especially between Valentine's day and Easter, I appreciated the fact that they still allow visitors to their operation. They must employ staff just to keep the retail center open. Although I purchased a few plants for a modest fee, I didn't see that many retail sales while I was there.

Clearly, Lowe's is Gubler's retail space. They have instructional videos online for Lowe's employees to maximize retail appeal. My last visit to a Lowe's, I found a breathtaking display of color.

Gubler also hosts the Morengo Valley Orchid festival every October.

One question I got answered during my visit, was how they heat the place. They have no local piped in "gas service." The tourguide explained that they have a very large LPG tank onsite. The Phalaenopsis orchids shown here have very specific temperature requirements to induce flowering, especially in the winter months.
The desert gets quite cold, and I am sure Gubler's gas bill is a substantial part of its business costs.

Besides the heating costs, the greenhouses must be cooled during the desert's scorching summer temperatures. Gubler accomplishes this by the use of a "wet wall": a wall composed of excelsior cooler pads with recirculating water. The fans shown here are at the opposite end  of the greenhouse, and pull the humidified air through  the wet wall. The water recirculating system for the wet wall was something to behold in operation, even on a cool day.

In addition to heating and cooling, Gubler has developed induced flowering cycles to a fine art over the many years they have been growing. This is an example of their use of shading. The flowering cycles must coincide with peak retail demands; either too early or too late meaning possible loss of sales.

In addition to the many Phalaenopsis shown here, Gubler has some nice looking Cattleyas and Dendrobiums. They also specialize in Carnivorous plants, such as Nepenthes.

A visit to Gubler's is worth the trip. I also heartily recommend purchasing their plants at your nearest Lowe's.