1905 Josef Pregetter I took possession of a small truck farm in Weiz, Austria, which belonged to a distant relative. As well as the growth of palm trees and various green plants and seeds, his main objective was to grow the perfumed cyclamen. During the K&K monarchy these plants were mainly sold in Vienna and Budapest. Josef I was a regional politician as well.

1935 Transferred the company to his son Josef II. His objective was to continue with the growth of the 10 petals perfumed cyclamen’s. Just before Second World War, cyclamen seeds were sold to the European States, United States of America, and Canada.

1937 The first purchase of a big quantity of orchids took place. Unfortunately, during war years, the growth of flowers was limited to a minimum, as it was required to grow vegetables. Only a few plants survived during that time. When the war was over, Josef II re-started the growth of flowers, obviously starting with the cyclamen and later with carnations. At that time, his ambition was already to grow orchids.

1956 The first seed pans for orchids were started, under primitive conditions, which demonstrated their first successes.

1964 With their big successes, they presented themselves an international public at the International Garden Exhibition in Vienna. That same year, Josef III, the present owner of Jardim Orquídea, and his brother Heribert took ownership of the horticulture house. From then onwards, Josef II dedicated himself to the pisciculture of trouts. The farm grew 2.700 m2 of hothouses. They completely abandoned the growth of cyclamen and specialised only in orchids’ growth.

1965 Start of orchids’ cloning and building of an export market to the then Communist States, namely Hungary and Yugoslavia.

1966 First orchid’s exhibition in Weiz, from 26.3 to 24.4, which was visited by over 40.000 people.

1970 Company’s remodelling and re-structure to 3.000 m2 of glass. That year the company was awarded the State Award, in gold. A selling place was established at the Big Flower Market in Vienna.

1971 Due to bad weather conditions, mainly sleet, the cultivation was strongly affected and 1500 m2 of the hothouses glass had to be replaced.

1972 Automation of the irrigation system, manure, and ventilation. First exports to Czechoslovakia.

1973 Hothouses enlargement to 6000 m2.

1975 Started exporting to Poland. New selling place opened at the Big Flower Market in Graz.

1978 Worldwide presentation and sale of the first Paphiopedilum meristem.

1979 Exhibition and exporting to Switzerland and Germany.

1981 Immediate discontinuation of Paphiopedilum meristem sale (too many mutations) and destruction of the whole meristem stock.

1982 Big setbacks due to damage caused by storms, which destroyed 1,000 m2 of hothouses.

1984 Constitution of a branch office, namely a flower shop.

1985 Heribert Pregetter leaves the company.

1988 Another flower shop opened, the second branch office.

1991 Discontinuity of the truck farm in Weiz, Austria (around 300.000 litres of fuel oil per year). The daughter, Sabine Pregetter, manages the three flower shops. Josef Pregetter and his wife Marianne decide to immigrate to Madeira Island and establish the company JARDIM ORQUÍDEA LDA.

1995 Josef and Marianne Pregetter open the company TROPICAL ORQUÍDEA LDA, together with their daughter Engineer Verena Maria Binder.

1996 Closing down of  flower shops in Austria.

2002 TROPICAL ORQUÍDEAS LDA. is acquired by JARDIM ORQUÍDEA LDA.

2004 Opening of Information and Sales area at the MARINA SHOPPING, Shop Nº. 202

2005 Commemoration of 100^th anniversary.