About us – OLD
BLUE HARBOR TROPICAL ARBORETUM
Blue Harbour Plantation was founded in 1998 by Val Eylands and his wife, Jana. Dr. Eylands had spent his professional career as an agricultural scientist on aid projects in the developing world, and he wished to establish a farm in a struggling but growing economy. After searching the world for their project, the Eylands chose Roatan as a site and hydroponic vegetables for the burgeoning tourist trade as their product. After four years of trial and error, they developed a hydroponic system that could produce high-quality lettuce and culinary herbs year-round. The farm and its products grew in size and popularity over the years, and by 2004, Blue Harbor lettuce was found in every fine restaurant, resort, and supermarket on Roatan.
In 2009, Mr. Kenn George purchased the original 118-acre farm from the Eylands and entered into a partnership with them in the hydroponic commercial operation. Because of its potential, Mr. George decided to invest in the environmental development of the land so it can be an eco-friendly touristic attraction to the many visitors of the island. He named the project Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum. Mr. George continues to develop the entire farm as a tourist destination for lovers of tropical botany, and the hydroponic greenhouses remain as a commercial operation.
Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum is currently a 118 acre farm which includes an orchard of several species of tropical fruit trees, mango trees, over 400 mature cashew nut trees, pineapples, coffee, cacao, plantain, banana and African palms. We are currently expanding into another 46 acre area with several types of fruit and vegetables to be grown.
The arboretum will also be expanding during the coming year to have nature trails, bird watching trails and some more serious hiking trails. Down the road we even have a plan to install a small scale train to take visitors all around the property.
The orchard area was planted approximately 12 years ago by Dr. Eylands and his wife, including Valencia oranges, Persian and key limes and red grapefruit. We also have avocado, sour sop, malay apples, nispero, mangosteen and many other exotic tropical fruits from all over the world. You can also enjoy our different varieties of heliconias and ginger flowers.
Under our new arbor; we have planted some interesting vines like the Vanilla Orchid, Black Pepper, Passion Fruit, Thunbergia, Jasmine, Yellow and Purple Alamanda and Petrea.
Our Conservatory*building is 100×50 and 23 ft at the highest point and can withstand 130 mph winds. Nothing like it exists anywhere in Honduras. The waterfall was created with natural rock from the East end of the island and each rock was placed one by one. The whole building took 7 months to construct from the ground up.
* Conservatory derives its name from the Italian term “conservato” meaning stored or preserved, and Latin “ory” meaning a place for. The history of conservatories dates back to Roman attempts to provide structures, which let in the light but kept out the cold. The earliest known “conservatories” (greenhouses) date from the 17th century. They were used by the scientific community, nobility and the landed gentry to protect plants, especially those that they had collected on their European tours and wished to grow back in the colder climate. Plants and seeds were also being collected by explorers further afield in Australia and South America and needed protection when they were grown in Europe.
The majority of the plants inside the conservatory had been living inside since November 2011 and will continue to thrive in these protected conditions of enough sun, regulated water supply and fertilizer along with warm tropical breezes. This is a constantly evolving landscape.
The orchids are displayed on vines and trees inside the conservatory and they are brought in from our Orchid house when in bloom. Most Orchids are Epyphites. This simply means they grow in the air supported by trees. They love humidity but not to be soaking wet all the time and they love some sun but not full hot sun all day and the most important element for orchids to be happy is the air circulation. So this building gives them exactly what they require. To provide food for the orchids we fertilize twice a month with basic balanced liquid plant food.
The Orchid House on the property is where our orchids start and has a big display of most orchids from Central America and few from Indonesia; they are grown naturally and can be enjoyed through the year.
The arboretum has a large lagoon. This was manmade and has over 2 million gallons of water. It is fed by rain water. We have a fountain which is actually a water aeration pump. Turtles, shrimp and many water birds and ducks take residence in the pond. We have Muscovy ducks, black bellied whistling duck, black headed coots, grebes, white egret and night heron.
Our Slogan
“Planting the Future”
Our Mission
Promote the art, enjoyment, and knowledge of horticulture, while providing opportunities for education and research.
Our Vision
Be the environmental, recreational and cultural resource for the region.
Our Promise of Service:
“The Arboretum has something for everyone in every season”
Our Eco-Mission:
“Be an Authentic Environment Resource”
You are invited to Explore and Enjoy the Nature, Visit us TODAY !