To date there are tens of thousands of orchid species and over 150,000 hybrids.

Local artist Shelby Smith faced a new challenge designing this year’s Hilo Orchid Society display for the show. Smith designed a contemporary 360 degree sculptural piece with moving spaces into which Orchid Society members could integrate their blooms. The challenge? Smith had no idea what plants would be available.

John Moir and his son Goodale established one of the earliest orchid collections in Hawai`i. Just before World War II, the Moir collection relocated from Honolulu to the Big Island when it passed to Herbert Shipman.

Today there are more than forty certified orchid nurseries on the island. Orchid exports from the Big Island are big business, generating more than $20 million annually.

In addition to supporting orchid growers, the Hilo Orchid Society reaches out into the greater community. Proceeds from the Annual Show support the Yasuji Takasaki Memorial Scholarship for University of Hawai`i at Hilo students studying agriculture or the natural sciences.

More visible service is the “Orchid Isle Project.” After World War II, Hawai`i Island became known as the Orchid Isle due to fields of vanda orchids cultivated for export. Orchid Society members hope to rekindle that spirit by encouraging businesses and homeowners to place orchids on their property where they can be admired by passers-by. Gazing at such beautiful blooms can put a spring in anyone’s step. I hope I’ve done my part by sharing these photos with you.

Acknowledgements:

Pictures by Dennis Ancheta and Author. All Rights Reserved.

Hilo Orchid Society.

“Hilo Show to put emphasis on orchids new, beautiful.” Hawaii Tribune Herald. June 18, 2015. Here.

In the Wild: Orchid Types & Their Natural Habitat. Here.

Orchids & Natural Habitat. April 2, 2013. Here.

“Orchids avant-garde: Hilo club hosting 63rd show and sale.” Hawaii Tribune Herald. July 4, 2015. Here.

Sandra Wagner-Wright. A Symphony of Orchids. August 4, 2014. Here.

Katie Young Yamanaka. “Orchids Avant Garde”. Island Beat. Hawaii Tribune Herald. Aug 6, 2015.

The post AN AVANT-GARDE ORCHID SHOW first appeared on Sandra Wagner-Wright.