Salta il contenuto

About Us - Conservation & Scientific Mission

Preserving Ecuador's Orchid Heritage Since 1992

Ecuagenera's story begins with a sacred mission: preserving the extraordinary orchid collection of missionary priest Father Angel Andreetta. In 1992, brothers Mario and JosΓ© Portilla founded our nursery to ensure this precious botanical legacy would continue to inspire and educate future generations. What started as an act of conservation has grown into a world-leading family business dedicated to protecting Ecuador's irreplaceable orchid biodiversity.

A Conservation-First Mission

For over 30 years, we've been at the forefront of orchid conservation, not just cultivation. Our mission goes far beyond commercial growingβ€”we're actively working to save species from extinction.

  • 2,700+ hectares of protected habitat across Ecuador's coast (Costa), highlands (Sierra), and Amazon basin (Oriente)β€”preserving orchids in their natural ecosystems
  • 500+ endangered species reproduced through our conservation programs, including species on the IUCN Red List
  • Extinct in the Wild (EW) species rescued, including Epidendrum sodiroi, Masdevallia rex, Masdevallia virgo-cuencae, Anthurium luxurians, etc., now thriving in our care.
  • 8,000+ species propagated through advanced in vitro protocols in our research laboratory.
  • Ex situ conservation ensuring genetic diversity is preserved for species facing habitat loss

Scientific Research & Discovery

Ecuagenera isn't just a nurseryβ€”we're a research institution contributing to global orchid science:

  • Research laboratory conducting cutting-edge in vitro propagation studies
  • International collaborations with universities, botanical gardens, and orchidologists worldwide.
  • Hybrid breeding program: Hundreds of hybrids created and registered with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), with new hybrids blooming almost weekly in our nursery
  • Published research in our journal Andreettana (https://faaec.org/), Phytotaxa, AOS, Orchid Digest, and Icones Pleurothallidinarum
  • CITES-licensed exporter since 1992, ensuring all plants are legally and ethically sourced

Habitat Protection Across Ecuador

True conservation means protecting orchids where they grow naturally. Ecuagenera currently protects over 2,700 hectares across Ecuador's three distinct ecological regions:

  • Costa (Coast) - Protecting coastal and lowland tropical ecosystems
  • Sierra (Highlands) - Preserving cloud forest and montane habitats
  • Oriente (Amazon Basin) - Safeguarding Amazonian rainforest biodiversity

This multi-habitat approach ensures that orchids from diverse ecosystems have protected spaces to thrive in the wild, while our nurseries propagate them for conservation and cultivation worldwide.

A Family Business with Global Impact

What began as two brothers' commitment to conservation has grown into a family enterprise employing 170+ dedicated team members across three locations in Ecuador:

  • Gualaceo (main nursery at 2,200 meters altitude)
  • El Pangui (Amazon Basin nursery at 900 meters altitude)
  • Guayaquil (Coastal nursery at 100 meters altitude)

Our nurseries benefit from Ecuador's unique microclimates and altitude diversityβ€”from coastal lowlands to high-altitude cloud forests. This allows us to cultivate orchids in their ideal growing conditions, producing healthy, vigorous plants that thrive in collections worldwide.

Unparalleled Diversity

Today, Ecuagenera cultivates:

  • 8,000+ species and hybrids
  • 10,000+ varieties in our collection
  • Hundreds of RHS-registered hybrids created in our breeding program
  • Species from across Latin America and beyond
  • Rare and endangered species unavailable anywhere else

Sharing Knowledge Worldwide

Our commitment to conservation extends beyond our nurseries:

  • Global exhibitions at major orchid shows worldwide, sharing Ecuador's botanical treasures
  • Educational tours at our nurseries, welcoming collectors, researchers, and orchid enthusiasts
  • Awareness programs promoting orchid conservation and sustainable cultivation
  • Partnerships with botanical gardens, universities, and conservation organizations

Why Choose Ecuagenera?

When you purchase from Ecuagenera, you're not just acquiring a beautiful orchidβ€”you're supporting:

  • Protection of over 2,700 hectares of natural habitat across Ecuador
  • Active conservation of endangered species
  • Scientific research advancing orchid propagation and hybridization
  • A family business preserving Ecuador's botanical heritage
  • Ethical, CITES-compliant sourcing
  • 170 families whose livelihoods depend on sustainable orchid cultivation
  • Ongoing hybrid development that pushes the boundaries of orchid beauty

We're proud to serve serious collectors, botanical gardens, researchers, and anyone who believes that commerce and conservation can work hand in hand.

Explore Our Collection

Every orchid in our collection represents decades of expertise, scientific knowledge, and unwavering commitment to conservation. Browse our catalog knowing that each plant comes from a nursery dedicated to preserving Ecuador's orchid biodiversity for generations to come.

Ecuagenera: Where Conservation Meets Cultivation