One Thousand and One Blooms: Taiwan’s Grand Orchid Show
This year, Taiwan’s International Orchid Show boasts an impressive array of orchids, each one competing for attention in this Kingdom of Orchids.
Sense of Wander: ★★★★☆
Butterfly orchids tinted with Taiwan’s national flag and logo of its national baseball team welcome visitors at the entrance of the 2025 Taiwan International Orchid Show.
TAINAN, Taiwan — Taiwan has more than a century’s history of orchid cultivation. In the past two decades, its orchid industry has flourished with a strong focus on exports. Today, orchids accounted for 95% of Taiwan’s total flower exports, valued over USD 195 million. In fact, over a third of the world’s orchids come from Taiwan, earning it its well-deserved reputation as the Kingdom of Orchids.
At the heart of this industry lies the Taiwan Orchid Technology Park in Tainan, a hub for orchid research, innovation, and trade. Since 2004, it has hosted the annual Taiwan International Orchid Show (TIOS), attracting visitors and orchid enthusiasts from around the world. More than just a celebration of exquisite blooms, TIOS plays a crucial role in advancing the global orchid trade and industry.
What most people don’t know is that this year’s TIOS coincides with Huachao Jie, or the “Flower Festival” — a traditional celebration (usually observed on the 15th day of the second lunar month) that honours the blooming of flowers and the arrival of spring. It also takes place alongside the Asia Pacific Orchid Conference, further cementing Taiwan’s position in the international orchid community.
As someone who loves flowers, I was fortunate to attend TIOS for the first time this year — it turned out to be an eye-opening experience that has reshaped the way I view orchids. I’m excited to share what I saw in this article, so join me on a journey through the 2025 Taiwan International Orchid Show:
The Grand Showcase
Untamed Symmetry is the theme exhibition of the 2025 Taiwan International Orchid Show.
As soon as you step into the main hall, you’re immediately greeted by an extravagant display of nature’s beauty. This year’s theme exhibition at the Taiwan International Orchid Show, Untamed Symmetry, explores the contrasting elements of order and chaos, the natural and the artificial, the wild and the fashionable — all through the lens of orchids.
Under the artistic direction of Wei-Hung Wu, the exhibition team uses layering and the interplay of light and shadow to transform what is traditionally seen as the gentle and graceful orchid — once regarded as an embodiment of literati virtue — into a wild, untamed spirit.
As you wander through this “floral jungle,” you can’t help but resonate with the peaceful rhythm that only nature can offer, all while being immersed in sense of calm and wonder.
Amidst this kaleidoscope of colours, forms, and varieties on display, the Paphiopedilum, commonly known as the “slipper orchid,” captures attention. Its rare appearance is characterised by its wild, almost prehistoric charm. The vivid contrast of red and yellow, often spotted or veined, only enhances its allure. But what’s most intriguing is its unique shape: the slipper-like pouch at its centre — a modified lip — creates a sculptural quality that blends with the gracefully arching petals surrounding it.
The slipper orchid, with its exotic look and uniquely shaped pouch, sparks curiosity among visitors to TIOS’ theme exhibition.
One of the most beloved attractions for visitors is the tunnel. True to the spirit of the event, it’s designed like a rainbow, with orchids in a spectrum of colours. From the wild, untamed beauty of the previous installation, this tunnel introduces a touch of romance that is to transport you to another world.
An indoor tunnel shaped from a rainbow of orchids.
Orchids aren’t just at ground level or eye level — they creep toward the ceiling like living veins, creating a surreal display.
As you venture further, you’re greeted by a lush landscape of orchids, nestled among greenery arranged to evoke the poignant beauty of weeping willow. It’s almost as if you’ve stumbled upon these orchids deep within a wild jungle.
Water features that mimic small waterfalls, alongside the ethereal presence of fog, amplify the mystery and wilderness of this indoor jungle.
Titled Nature’s Masterpiece: A Symphony of Orchids and Life, this captivating installation by Damrong Star Club from Thailand draws inspiration from global environmental concerns such as droughts, energy shortages, and melting ice. The orchids on display highlight the beauty of plants in their natural habitat. This design was awarded the Gold Medal for Landscape Exhibition at the TIOS, which saw participation from both domestic and international organisations.
Nature’s Masterpiece: A Symphony of Orchids and Life by Damrong Star Club from Thailand.
Landscape exhibitions by local and international organisations breathe life into the main hall.
Before leaving the main hall, you’ll notice that most visitors tend to linger in this final section, all captivated by the chanting sight of butterfly orchids — Taiwan’s version of moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) — suspended from the ceiling. While they may seem similar at first glance, a closer look reveals that this stunning canopy of orchids transitions in subtle gradations of colour, from deep violet to lighter shades of purple, eventually fading in to a near-white hue. Mirrors installed along the walls amplify the illusion of standing in an infinite space.
Unlike many others, I stayed not to take selfies, but to fully immerse myself in the rare experience of seeking refuge under this ephemeral, orchid-filled sky.
As a first-time visitor to TIOS, I thought this was the end. Disappointed, I stepped out of the main hall — only to discover that what I had just seen was just a prelude to the wonders ahead.
Orchids in various shades of violet form a canopy above, creating an enchanting orchid-filled sky.
Orchids from Leading Growers
An array of butterfly orchids competes in beauty, showcasing the diversity found within the Phalaenopsis genus.
If the grand exhibitions in the main hall offer a cinematic experience, then the next hall shines a spotlight on the stars of the show — the orchids themselves.
Hall 2 is divided into two sections. The first showcases commercial varieties of orchids from leading growers, alongside their groundbreaking scientific research achievements.
Orchids come in an astounding range of species, colours, patterns, shapes, and sizes. From tiny pots of delicate orchids to blossoms with petals as large as my palm, the world of orchids is a true wonder. This seems to be the place for anyone eager to learn about the latest advancements in the orchid industry.
As we move forward, we come to the section dedicated to the competition. The exhibits, selected from thousands of contest submissions, are divided by genus within the Orchidaceae family, notably Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Paphiopedilum, and others.
It’s astonishing to think that over 700 genera and 30,000 species of orchids have been identified worldwide. Viewing them by genus gives us a broader understanding of the vast variety within each group. While the exhibition focuses on just three major genera, it offers a taster of the incredible diversity within the Orchidaceae family.
Some species in the “Other genera” section looked so different from their relatives that I found it difficult to identify them as part of the Orchidaceae family at all. Their appearance was unlike anything I had expected from orchids.
A display of Phalaenopsis in various sizes and colour shades, presented by Green World Hort.
Award-Winning Orchids
As I moved to the next section, I realised I had spent too much time in the first that I might not have enough energy to fully immerse myself in the second. But I knew I had to — this final section, dedicated to the prize-winning orchids, was the highlight of the show.
Amidst the fierce competition, Paph. Prince Edward of York “Ying#2” claimed the Grand Champion trophy. A hybrid between the King of Paphiopedilum (Paphiopedilum rothschildianum) and the Queen of Paphiopedilum (Paphiopedilum sanderianum), this exceptional specimen was selected from thousands of seedlings.
After five years of cultivation, the pot first bloomed last year, winning the Group Champion at the 2024 World Orchid Conference. Following a year of rest, it bloomed again with even more vigour, producing three spikes bearing eight flowers and four buds — all with near-perfect symmetry.
I must admit — this was my first time seeing this species, and my first impression was that it was wild and exotic. The dark-red to purple spots and veins on the yellow petals reminded me of a carnivorous plant thriving in the wilderness. Its striking presence completely changed my perception of orchids and expanded my understanding of what orchids can look like. It turns out that this species isn’t as rare as I thought — nearly everyone who cultivates slipper orchids has one in their collection.
Paph. Prince Edward of York “Ying#2” was crowned Grand Champion at the 2025 Taiwan International Orchid Show.
A closer look at the Grand Champion of the 2025 Taiwan International Orchid Show.
Another specimen, awarded the Phalaenopsis Group Champion Trophy, is Phal. Clone Stardust CL613A. At first glance, I was caught by its large, cascading flowers arranged in perfect harmony — an elegant balance of grandeur and delicacy.
Its pristine white petals are speckled with pink and deep purple, with the densest concentration at the flower’s centre, gradually fading toward the edges. With its cosmic-like appearance, it earned the nickname “Stardust.” The interplay between its organic stardust effect and the flower’s clean, geometric composition creates a stunning visual feast.
Phal. Clone Stardust CL613A claimed the Phalaenopsis Group Champion Trophy at the 2025 Taiwan International Orchid Show.
Besides the Grand Champion and Group Champion, there’s also a section showcasing the first-place winners. Moving from ordinary specimens to prize-winning orchids, I feel as though I’m gradually training my eyes to appreciate the qualities that set each one apart.
The award-winning Paphiopedilum Hung Sheng Tabby features two slipper orchids, one tenderly resting on the other, like a pair of lovers.
These two pots of slipper orchids, gracefully holding delicate blooms, are also award-winners.
Cultivated by Clone International Biotech, this award-winning Phalaenopsis stands out with two spikes, showcasing 48 blooms and three buds.
Bringing Home an Orchid
For those wanting to take home a token of the experience, Hall 5 houses an indoor orchid market. A handful of vendors — some of them commercial cultivators — offer orchids in a variety of species. With just NTD 200 to 300, you can easily bring home a beautiful orchid of your own.
I picked up a small pot of butterfly orchids and carried it all the way from Tainan to Taipei as a keepsake. When I asked the vendor how long the blooms would last, I was told: two to three weeks. After they wither, I should trim the stem and water it every 7 to 10 days, waiting for it to bloom again next spring — a true test of patience.
For those less inclined toward fresh flowers, ScentDom offers a selection of products made with orchid extracts, from perfumes to skincare and haircare, capturing the essence of orchids in a different way.
A handful of vendors selling fresh orchid flowers can be found in Hall 5.
Dendrochilum tenellum is the world’s smallest orchid species.
In this final hall, I also came across a stall by Symon Agricultural Biotech, which specialises in cultivating Phalaenopsis Cut Flowers, particularly the “V3 big white” and dyed Phalaenopsis varieties.
On display are a range of butterfly orchids, either dyed or sprayed in gradients of colours, suggesting a whole new world of possibilities. This unique coloring technology — a closely guarded trade secret — transforms flower petals into a canvas, blending two seemingly unrelated worlds: floriculture and art.
Among these, I spot orchids tinted with the colours of Taiwan’s national flag — the same variety that greets visitors at the TIOS show’s main entrance. This particular specimen seems like a bold statement to the world that Taiwan continues to uphold its reputation as the Kingdom of Orchids.
On that note, we have come to the end of this year’s Taiwan International Orchid Show. It’s been a journey full of surprises, awe, and wonder — not only because of nature’s breathtaking beauty, but also the relentless passion of growers who constantly push the limits of what’s possible, while eagerly sharing their discoveries with the world.
An exhibition of orchids featuring a gradient of vibrant hues by Symon Agricultural Biotech.
Butterfly orchids tinted with Taiwan’s national flag live up to the reputation Taiwan has earned: the Kingdom of Orchids.
Reference:
Chiang, M. (2025, March 7). “President promises Taiwan orchid industry expansion.” Radio Taiwan International. https://en.rti.org.tw/news/view/id/2012574
World Plants. (2025, March 6). Orchid list. World Plants. https://www.worldplants.de/world-orchids/orchid-list
2025 Taiwan International Orchid Show runs through March 23, 2025.