Nimal Samuel was 33 years old in 1999 when he left his small village in Sri Lanka to join his mother, who had emigrated to Coconut Grove in 1985.
Industrious by nature, he worked jobs at the former Gardner’s Market and Greenstreet Café while saving money to bring his wife and daughter to the United States.
Soon after purchasing a modest home with a big backyard at 3140 McDonald Street in 2011, Samuel made a decision that would have profound consequences for his family – he would launch his own business selling orchids in front of the family home and hope for the best.
“I come from a tropical country and have always liked nature,” he explains. “I also liked the idea of having my own independent business, something that would make people happy. I saw someone selling orchids and I decided I wanted the same thing for me.”
Today, at 59, Samuel and his family operate J.J. Orchids, a popular and convenient roadside spot to pick up orchids, bromeliads, succulents and air plants.
Samuel’s front yard displays are hard to miss, but the riot of color visible from the street is just the tip of the iceberg. The majority of Samuel’s living inventory is in the backyard, a jungle-like oasis that belies the surrounding urban sprawl.
Samuel’s backyard is a vestige of the old Grove, with towering oak trees draped with verdant philodendron vines, mature coconut palms, banana trees and flowering undergrowth. At center stage is an enormous birdhouse where powder blue, yellow and green cockatiels hold court.
“Going to J.J. Orchids are one of my favorite things because the Samuel family is always very friendly and helpful, and the orchids are reasonably priced,” says South Grove resident Sharon Trent. “I have a wall of his plants at my house and I use his tiny orchids on my Christmas trees instead of ornaments.”
Samuel’s plants also grace the interiors of Greenstreet Café, Atchana’s Homegrown Thai and hundreds of homes and businesses throughout Miami. Samuel also makes a point to donate his orchids to non-profit organizations for fundraisers and other events.
The orchids sold from tabletop displays in Samuel’s front yard come in a wide array of colors, shapes and sizes ranging from two-inch minis to large maroon and white Sharry Baby orchids. With care, Samuel says the orchids he sells will bloom every six to eight months with blossoms that last for 45 to 60 days.
Samuel spends thousands of dollars each month on his frequent shopping trips to nurseries in Homestead and Apopka. While he’s away, his wife Devika and daughter Melissa, 24, who attends the University of Miami School of Law, hold down the fort.
Rather than trying to cultivate his own orchids, which Samuel says is too labor intensive and expensive, he purchases from wholesalers with whom he’s developed close relationships over the years.
He returns from his shopping forays with dozens of Cattleya orchids, known as the “queen of orchids” because of their large, fragrant flowers, Oncidium or “dancing lady” orchids whose blossoms resemble ruffled skirts, and Phalaenopsis orchids (also known as moth orchids), which are the most popular orchids nationwide.
One of Samuel’s best sellers is the white and maroon chocolate orchid because its scent is reminiscent of the confectionery. Prices range from $7 for a tiny mini orchid to $300 for an elaborate arrangement designed by Samuel himself.
“The season for orchids is December to May,” says Samuel. “We’re busy all year but especially right before Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Easter.”
Although the lion’s share of the work running J.J. Orchids fall to Samuel, his children pitch in when not attending school. In addition to Devika and Melissa, son Nathan, 16, a sophomore at Belen, and Kristena, 13, a student at Carrollton, all lend a hand. Even Samuel’s mother Beatrice Elliott, who lives nearby, frequently pitches in.
Steve Capellini, co-owner of Atchana’s Homegrown Thai with his wife Atchana, is grateful that the Grove still has small, friendly, family-run businesses like J.J. Orchids.
“Going there to buy your orchids is a way to slow your mind down, relax and run into friends while picking out some beautiful flowers,” he says.
Customers can also chat up Samuel while they shop, and pick up some tips on orchid care in the process. Samuel’s daughter Melissa says that type of friendly service is one reason customers keep coming back.
“My father taught all of us the importance of putting family first, followed by the values of hard work and customer service,” she says. “That’s why we’re all happy to help and why most of our customers have been returning for over a decade.”
J.J. Orchids is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
