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Our Journey with Slipper Orchids
Monster Island Orchids is a small orchid nursery located in the Hudson Valley of New York State. We are located about two (2) hours north and west of New York City. Our nursery is not open to the public and is by appointment only.
At Monster Island Orchids, we—Frank and Maria Cervera—focus on Phragmipedium and Paphiopedilum, along with a mix of other orchids and tropical plants we’ve come to love. This nursery is a reflection of our passion for these amazing plants, inspired by our travels around the world to see them in the wild, meet fellow plant lovers, and chase a little adventure along the way.
Frank Cervera is a biologist with over 25 years of hands-on experience studying the ecology, biology, and taxonomy of the genus Phragmipedium in the wild. His passion for slipper orchids began back in the 1980s, when an ecology professor sparked his interest and he bought his first Phrag. longifolium. After years of frustration trying to identify slipper orchid species, especially Phragmipedium, and keep his orchids alive at home, Frank realized he needed to go straight to the source. In the 1990s, he began what would become a deeply personal, 30-year journey into the jungles of Central and South America, and Southeast Asia—traveling through places like Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela, French Guiana, Guyana, Brazil, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. With each trek, he wasn’t just chasing slipper orchids in the wild—he was pursuing a deeper understanding, a sense of connection, and the kind of discovery and knowledge no book or greenhouse could ever provide.
Along the way, he connected with some of the most respected (and sometimes notorious) figures in the orchid world, visiting legendary nurseries and collecting stories at key moments in the history of Phragmipedium and Paphiopedilum. His deep fieldwork has given him rare access to crucial information about taxonomy, ecology, and cultivation that few others possess. Today, Frank works in the financial services industry and lives in New York with his family—and, of course, his orchids.
Maria Cervera is a C.P.A. by trade, but an orchid lover at heart. Born and raised in Ecuador, Maria was gifted her first orchid in 2014—and it didn’t take long before she was hooked. Since then, she’s been by Frank’s side on countless jungle treks across South America and Southeast Asia, helping document wild populations of Phragmipedium and Paphiopedilum. While Frank dives into the taxonomy and biology, Maria brings her own essential skills to the field: organizing data, managing trip logistics, and capturing the detailed photographs that help growers and collectors alike better understand these incredible plants. Her photos have become a vital resource for identifying species and highlighting subtle differences in form and habitat. Back at home, she keeps things running smoothly at Monster Island Orchids, making sure customers get the care and attention every orchid lover deserves.
