Our beautiful Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) estate is maintained through the hard work of many staff members. Kitty Yip joined our Flora Conservation Department in December 1995. She is our dear friend and has also looked after the estate for these 20 years. Back in 1995, Kitty first worked as an assistant officer in the Specimen Room and Office and was later promoted to clerk. Before she retired on 9 July 2015, she was helping to look after the orchids in our Orchid Greenhouse, Orchid Haven and Moth Orchid Nursery.

Kitty Yip at the Orchid Nursery

Kitty said she knew nothing about horticulture or growing orchids before she joined KFBG; she became an orchid expert by learning on the job. She said she feels very grateful to have worked with such a brilliant team and has made many friends over the years with her colleagues. In the early years, Kitty would consult reference books in the Floral Conservation Department office during her lunch break if she encountered anything she didn’t understand.

Kitty's daily work includes potting the orchid seedlings after they sprouted

I asked Kitty if she has any plants at home but she shook her head and said: “Sadly no. My home is too small to grow plants.” But it was easy to see she has a deep love of orchids because each time she talked about them she would smile affectionately. “I like all kinds of orchids especially Chinese orchids,” she said. At work, it was Kitty’s job to check on the orchid seedlings once they sprouted. She would take care of pest control, re-potting and fertilising. She compared it to looking after a baby. Kitty was most happy when she overheard visitors complimenting the flowers. Once, a visitor from California asked Kitty why her Vanda Orchids back home in California always withered; Kitty explained that Vanda Orchids prefer humid climate and California is too dry for them.

Kitty looking at the orchid seedlings affectionately

As the day of her retirement approached, Kitty said she felt sad at leaving her colleagues and KFBG’s beautiful environment. She said she had witnessed many positive changes in her two decades at KFBG and was particularly delighted to see more school groups and organisations visiting the Farm and also to see that Hong Kong people were growing more aware about sustainable living and environmental issues. She also said she liked how the KFBG estate was greener than ever.

Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum callosum) is one of Kitty's favourite orchids


Ascocentrum miniatum at the Orchid Greenhouse

Now she is retired, Kitty said she will enjoy spending more time with her grandchildren and going hiking so there’s a good chance we will see her at KFBG again soon, with the plants she once looked after so carefully.