The Fata Morgana Greenhouse celebrates 20 years since its opening to visitors. The journey from the initial idea to the present day has been much longer... It required a great deal of effort, work, and lots of well-traveled miles in the legs of everyone involved in caring for the greenhouse.

Have you ever pondered what unfolds within such a greenhouse? Where do the ideas come from, and how do we decide what goes where? Where do the plants come from, and how do we pick which ones make it? And what adventures await during the creation of a botanical paradise? Join us on an expedition and see things from a botanist's perspective!

Jiří Haager (1943–2022)

Without Jiří Haager, the Fata Morgana Greenhouse might never have come to be. A lifelong botany enthusiast, he served as director of two botanical gardens—in Prague's Troja and Teplice. He founded two large tropical greenhouses and authored numerous books, articles, photographs, and descriptions of tropical plants. Traveling the globe, he brought back a diverse array of plant species, enriching our understanding throughout his life. He nurtured both lesser-known and unknown exotic plants, developing methods for their propagation, presenting them to colleagues and the public, and expanding their cultivation. He generously shared cuttings, seeds, and the joy of this beautiful work and hobby. His passion influenced many around him, leading them to embrace botany, or simply teaching them the art of growing flowers.

Jiří Haager studied at the Faculty of Science of Charles University. He began traveling to the tropics in 1973 as the leader of the Orchidea group, organizing plant-collecting expeditions.

In 1993, he won a competition to become the director of the Prague Botanical Garden. He dove into work, assembled a team, and quickly transformed the relatively new garden into a modern and engaging institution. The most significant change was the plan for the large tropical greenhouse known as Fata Morgana. Before the project materialized, Jirka was already organizing expeditions and collecting tropical plants for the new expositions.

New ventures are rarely straightforward. The atypical construction faced challenges, ultimately leading to Jiří Haager's dismissal as director. However, he did not let setbacks deter him. Instead, he embraced a new opportunity as the director of the botanical garden in Teplice. Within a few years, he spearheaded the establishment of a new tropical greenhouse known as Tropicana. This all led to the beginning of a fruitful 18-year period of collaboration and plant exchanges between the two gardens.

1) EXPEDITION GUATEMALA, FALL 1997

Our second expedition led us to Guatemala, with all permits arranged by the director of the botanical garden in Ciudad de Guatemala, Ms. Marie Storek, originally from Beroun in Czechia. She also recommended botanically interesting sites in the Guatemalan highlands of Alta Verapaz and the lowland rainforests in the north of the country.

Guatemala boasts a rich flora and culture. Many Mayan ruins hidden in the forests remain undiscovered, with old inscriptions yet to be deciphered and shards collected into museums. Similarly, not all local plants have been identified, named, and preserved in herbariums.

After two months of traveling through volcanoes and jungles, we imported approximately 300 kg (661 lb) of plants and over 250 species of seeds to Czechia, forming the cornerstone of expositions in the Fata Morgana Greenhouse.

2) EXPEDITION NICARAGUA, SPRING 1997

Former director Jiří Haager organized the first expedition to the tropics, enriching the evolving Fata Morgana Greenhouse with plants and knowledge, in the spring of 1997. The destination was the economically challenged country of Nicaragua.

Our journey took us through the seasonally dry areas in the west and the rainy, swampy east. We navigated the Río Bocay River to the border with Honduras but could not reach the sea, since only a muddy road led to the Caribbean coast. However, Nicaragua's Caribbean coast is far from a romantic beach. It is marshy all along its length, earning the name Costa de los Mosquitos.

We returned with live plants and seeds, many of which still grace the expositions of the Fata Morgana Greenhouse. Among them are the yellow-flowering Senna pallida tree in the dry section, the cluster of Carludovica palmata in the tropics and the Macleania insignis shrub with orange flowers in the mountainous region.

3) EXPEDITION LAOS, 2024

Laos is a country where time seems to stand still, preserving the essence of old Asia like nowhere else. Here, rural life flourishes as people tend to their fields and frequent bustling markets. At dawn, monks in orange robes walk around, their chants blending with the rhythm of daily life as they receive offerings of glutinous rice balls. Markets bustle and hustle, and encounters are significant - outdoors, slowly, together.

We have been cultivating orchids in the botanical garden for three decades now, and we are still learning. February in Laos offers clear insights into the monsoon climate and the significance of dry seasons. Since late November, rainfall has been scarce, and every step raises dust. Even in the northern regions bordering China, temperatures soar to 35°C (95°F). The heat and dryness prompt trees to shed their leaves, while bulbs and tubers retreat underground, perennials enter a dormant state, and animals begin hibernating. However, as the anticipated rains draw near, signs of rejuvenation emerge - tree buds burst into bloom and orchids eagerly sprout, signaling the imminent arrival of rain.

4) EXPEDITIONS TO VIETNAM (FROM 1999 TO 2017)

Vietnam held a special place in the heart of former director Jiří Haager, who first visited it in 1975. Bringing back plants, some of which he described himself, marked the inception of our botanical odyssey.

In 1999, we embarked on another voyage, traversing from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and tracing our steps back along the coastline, amid forests, mountains, and waterfalls. Villagers pedaled bicycles, and ploughed rice fields with buffalo and frog delicacies graced rustic tables.

Our return to Vietnam in 2011 and subsequent visits over the next six years led us southward. Collaborating with the Institute of Tropical Biology, we explored the Hon Ba Mountain range and Bidoup National Park. Meanwhile, Vietnam underwent a remarkable economic surge, transforming swiftly before our eyes. Motorcycles became ubiquitous, agricultural tractors replaced traditional methods and frog dishes vanished into upscale restaurants.

The plants we brought formed the basis of collections of gingers, aroids, and orchids. Jiří Haager spearheaded the identification of new species, christening a new orchid genus - Christensonia vietnamica. This heralded the discovery of several species of orchids, tuberous aroids, and ginger family plants.

5) EXPEDITIONS TO PERU, 2005 AND 2008

Peru, the land of the legendary Incas, is renowned not only for its iconic cultural landmarks but also for its incredibly rich flora. With its coastal desert in the west, the towering Andes mountain range, and the lush lowland rainforests of the Amazon, Peru boasts diverse climatic conditions and high biodiversity. Almost every valley in Peru has its microclimate, a characteristic shared with Ecuador and Colombia. The country's highest peak is the majestic Huascarán, towering at a height of 6,768 meters.

During two expeditions, valuable insights, photographic documentation, and climatic data were acquired. The first expedition ventured into the Amazon Basin, exploring the Pukallpa National Park and the surrounding areas of the Ucayali River, as well as the mountainous regions of Oxapampa and Cerro Pajonal. The focus of the second expedition was on the exploration of the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra mountain ranges.

6) EXPEDITION ECUADOR, 2019

Despite its modest size, Ecuador stands among the world's biodiversity giants. Nestled directly on the equator and cradled by towering mountain ranges exceeding 6,000 meters above sea level, Ecuador boasts unparalleled floral richness. This richness is especially evident on the moist eastern slopes of the Andes and the lush western Amazon. With over 4,000 orchid species, Ecuador is a botanical paradise

The beauty of nature intertwines with the charm of indigenous markets and Indian culture. From mountain blooms to smoking volcanoes, from grazing llamas to colorful laundry around every corner, Ecuador dazzles with colors and contrasts.

Orchids, bromeliads, anthuriums, and ferns have enriched our collections, sourced not from the wild but from Ecuadorian nurseries specializing in native species. Thus, our expedition yielded not only plants but also insights from entrepreneurs born in jungle-dwelling indigenous villages. These individuals have established successful companies that propagate orchids and sell them globally online.

7) EXPEDITIONS TO MADAGASCAR, FROM 2004 TO 2023

Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world, is a land of extremes and contrasts. Here, we find exceptional natural wealth inhabited by a highly diverse population. With an estimated 90 % of plant and animal species endemic to the island, Madagascar stands as a global biodiversity hotspot.

The easterly winds carrying moisture from the Indian Ocean, bless the eastern regions with ample rainfall, while the central plateau remains relatively dry. The western territories, particularly the southwest, endure prolonged periods of water scarcity.

For more than two decades, our team has traversed Madagascar on established routes and uncharted paths. Each expedition has yielded new insights into the island's natural conditions, which have helped create expositions showcasing this beautiful island. Thanks to our longstanding contacts, we have significantly enriched our botanical collections.

8) EXPEDITIONS TO SOUTH AFRICA, 2003 AND 2006

Venturing to the southernmost tip of the African continent unveils the extraordinary and diverse Cape flora. In its rugged terrain and under specific climatic conditions, evolution has sculpted unique plant communities found nowhere else on Earth. Almost 70 % of the species here are endemic, thriving exclusively in this region.

Our journeys took us through South Africa twice, always at the beginning of our autumn. This timing granted us firsthand experiences of South Africa's springtime magnificence: vast carpets of flowering aster family plants and ice plants stretched across several square kilometers, while health and Proteaceae family plants adorned the landscape with vibrant hues. The scenery was enriched by flowering bulbs, pelargoniums, and orchids.

9) EXPEDITION TAIWAN, 2023

Formerly known as Formosa (Beautiful Island), this small land adjacent to mainland China earned its title from the Portuguese explorers who marveled at its majestic mountains and abundant flora upon their first encounter.

Taiwanese botanists independently journeyed to Prague, expressing a keen desire for collaboration. Their Taiwan Forestry Research Institute is dedicated to botanical exploration across the island and oversees several botanical gardens. Their visits to Prague, including our garden and the Czech countryside, were followed by an invitation to a conference in Taipei. At this gathering, we showcased the conservation initiatives of Czech botanical gardens in safeguarding endangered plant species ex-situ to an international audience through a comprehensive presentation. 

Throughout our excursions, we explored three botanical gardens, toured a tea-drying facility, and trekked through mountainous forests accompanied by local botanists. We exchanged plants and seeds, with the most significant contribution being the Rhododendron kanehirae, an endemic species from a secluded valley in northern Taiwan, now tragically extinct in the wild.

10) EXPEDITION CHINA, 2016

China has also been a key focus of our botanical exploration, with ten expeditions already undertaken between 1999 and 2018. These journeys targeted cooler and drier regions and the plants collected now grace the outdoor expositions of the garden, the Emei Shan Greenhouse, and the mobile greenery collection.

A shorter expedition to the southern Chinese province of Guangxi, bordering Vietnam, contributed to the development of tropical collections and also flora in the Fata Morgana Greenhouse. Our exploration led us through a karst mountainous area inhabited by the Yao ethnic group, to a tea factory and markets selling traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. A stay in the botanical garden of medicinal plants in the city of Nanning, renowned for its rich collection of ginger family plants, left us deeply inspired.

Throughout our journey, we embraced unconventional culinary experiences. Our botanical explorations extended even to our plates and then we found ourselves debating whether to indulge in buffalo tripe at a dog restaurant. In the end, the trip won out, and it proved to be a delightful culinary experience!

11) EXPEDITION SINGAPORE, 2023

Singapore is a modern city-state located just about 130 kilometers north of the equator, on par with Sumatra, Java, or Borneo. At its heart lies the renowned Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG), one of Asia's most significant botanical marvels, proudly listed on UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage list. It boasts a long history, beautiful expositions, and valuable collections.

Among its treasures is the world's largest collection of spiral gingers and ginger family plants, which also hold significant importance in our garden. For over two decades, we have nurtured a bond of professional collaboration and friendship. Serving as our bridge is Jana Leong-Škorničková, a Czech botanist dedicated to the study of ginger plants. She works in the herbaria and is the author of numerous scholarly articles and publications. Notably, she has uncovered three new genera and over 200 species of ginger family plants.

12) EXPEDITIONS TO BORNEO (MALAYSIAN STATE OF SARAWAK), 2009 AND 2023

Old travelogues depict Borneo as a wild jungle, with local Dayaks portrayed as natives in wooden canoes consuming their enemies. However, Dayaks of the 21st century sit in Toyotas, dressed in jeans, munching hamburgers as they head to work on construction sites or plantations.

In the Kelabit Highlands, great local guides led us on a five-day trek to Gunung Murud, the highest peak in Sarawak. It was a learning experience about misty forests and insights into cultivating mountain plants. Yet, progress marches on; miners have reached the edge of the national park, roads now traverse the mountain ridges, and the botanical paradise is fading away.

We also traveled through the lowland Lambir Hills National Park - one of the places with the highest plant diversity in the world. A botanist is captivated by the charm of the Bako Peninsula, where sparse forests of stunted trees struggle for survival on hard sandstones with minimal soil. Here, plants that can obtain nutrients in unconventional ways thrive, either through carnivory or by collaborating with ants.