In 2016, V U Sabu’s life took an unexpected turn during a visit to a nursery in Kerala’s Wayanad.  Healthcare management graduate with a deep passion for the environment, he was captivated by the vibrant blooms — but it was the wild orchids that truly caught his eye.

Returning home, Sabu began researching orchids and their ecosystems. “I discovered the Western Ghats were home to rare wild orchids,” he says, but many were disappearing. The deeper he delved, the stronger his resolve became to protect these delicate flowers.

Orchids fascinated him not just for their beauty but their ecological role. “They’re indicators of ecosystem health and provide food for pollinators like bees and butterflies,” he explains. But his research told him that human activities were pushing these species to the brink of extinction.

Without any formal training in agriculture, Sabu decided to act. He developed a unique approach: collection, conservation, and augmentation, to bring orchids back to their original habitats.

He began venturing into the forests of the Western Ghats, collecting orchids from tree trunks, rocks, and streams. At home, he carefully studied their needs, propagated them, and replanted them in the wild—always near their mother plants.

Growing orchids came with its share of challenges. “It’s tough to protect them during heavy rains or disasters,” Sabu says.

To address this, he began growing orchids on coffee trunks. “This setup allows the orchids to receive adequate diffused sunlight while shielding them from harsh direct sunlight and heavy rain,” Sabu adds.

Over six years, Sabu’s efforts have flourished. At his home, he has cultivated 256 varieties of wild orchids, including 60 native to the Western Ghats, and replanted 500 saplings in the wild. At home, he nurtures 4,500 commercial orchids in three polyhouses spanning 750 square metres.

Sabu’s most cherished achievement? Discovering a hybrid orchid species, which he named ‘Benita’ after his daughter. He has also published 23 articles in international journals, all focused on wild orchid conservation.

Today, Sabu’s home has become a hub for learning. Over 5,000 PhD students and botanists from 20 institutions have visited to study his orchids. “These students usually find wild orchids only in their textbooks. I want them to see these rare varieties in person,” he says.

Sabu’s work has earned him accolades like ICAR’s third-best farmer award in 2021 and Wayanad’s Best Farmer Award in 2023. But for him, the greatest reward is safeguarding these orchids for future generations.

“Unlike others, I do not sell wild orchids to make money. Conserving them is paramount as future generations should also be able to cherish and enjoy the legacy in the same way I do,” says Sabu.