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M nvQ m ha r C
A touch of the tropics in Simnasho
You can almont hear the surf breaking, see
the palm trees swaying and feel the warm, damp
air on our face. Could there be such an
environment on the Warm Springs reservation?
No, the tropics aren’t to be found here dnless
you visit the home of Larry and Juanita
Bourland in Simnasho. There you willfind a
lush, moist enviroment created by he
B ourland’s white corrigated fiberglass
greenhouse adjacent to their home.
In actuality, the breaking surf is the pump
which aerates the jaccuzzi, the palm trees
swaying are really huge corn and tomato plants
and the warm, damp air is really the tropical
environment produced by a bubbling hot tub.
The Bourlands moved into the 40-year old
condemned Presbyterian manse in 1973.
Because the house was the first post office on
the reservation and because of its age. Tribal
Council declared the house a historical site in
1976. The greenhouse is just one of the many
improvements the Bourlands have made to the
house since they moved in. They have paid for
all improvements as part of the custodial care
agreement made when they moved in.
Once stepping out of the house into the
greenhouse, you feel you’ve walked onto a
tropical island. Lush, healthy greenery of all
kinds—vegetables, various house plants and
unusual orchids—are growing. One of the
reasons for the greenhouse, says Juanita, is the
short .growing season in Simnsho. “It’s
frustrating when the last frost of the year is in
July and the first frost is in September.”
The Bourlands have always had an interest in
gardening, and the greenhouse with its
“controlled climate” seems to inspire that
interest. Orange, lipmon, lime, apple, peach,
papaya and tomato trees will one day be fruit
bearing. Four different varieties of orchids are
flowering, and vegetables, such as egg plant,
corn, brussel sprouts, tomatoes and acorn
squash, that were planted by seed, are nearing
maturity. Having such a garden that will
produce vegetables year around is possibly a
first in Warm Springs.
Juanita says her thumb i$ extra green and
“probably inherited from my mother,’’but hard
work helps. After working as Tribal Council
secretary Juanita looks forward to relaxing in
the jacuzzi to help ease daily stress away. The
eight-seat tub is kept at about 100 degrees
continually. Larry drains the tub every two
weeks or so and keeps an eye on the chemical
levels daily. It is also Larry’s responsibility to
watch greenhouse temperatures (from 40
degrees to 85 degrees) and to ensure proper air
currents to minimize fungus growth on plant.
Eventually, the Bourlands will be recycling
heat from the greenhouse into the house which
will help reduce their electric bill. During these
cold months, a kerosene heater was purchased
to keep the chill off, but with the cost of
kerosene being so high, the Bourlands found it
uneconomical. As an alternative, water from
the hot tub will be circulated through an old car
radiator—sort of a steam heater.
Juanita is especially proud of the orchids that
seem to be flourishing. They purchased the 10
orchids plants for $200 and at first intended to
sell the blossoms to Kah-Nee-Ta and the
Flower Station in Madras, “But I’m getting
stingy with them,” says Juanita.
The greenhouse appears to be a unique way
to bring soil, greenery and relaxation together
“fruitfully.” It is an especially inventive way for
the Bourlands to have fresh blossoms and
vegetables year round.
The Bourlands ease their aching and tired muscles in their jaccuzzi. There is room for eight, says Juanita, but most o f the time it ’s just the two of them.
These huge tomato and corn plants appear to do well in the tropical climate o f the greenhouse. The
Bourlands expect to have fresh vegetables year around.
Juanita is especially proud of the orchids which are adjusting very
nicely to the humid greenhouse climate. This miltonian orchid is
very small in size and lavendar in color.
Whoever heard o f tomatoes growing on trees? T h at’s exactly what
Juanita is hoping for. She says the fruit w ill be pear-shaped and
taste similar to a tomato.
: Spilyay Tymoo
text
and
photos
by
Donna Behrend
Four different varieties o f orchids are producing colorful blooms. The Bourlands intended to sell the
blossoms to area merchants, but are now too stingy to part with them.