Gorgeous Hawaiian orchids grown on the islands
Hawaiian orchids are probably one of the most treasured flowers grown on the islands and for visitors their first encounter typically is receiving a fresh orchid lei at the airport.
You can find Hawaiian orchids growing typically in every yard and clinging to most trees and surviving solely on rain and nutrients they can receive from the tree barks. On the islands, orchids tend to grow easily with minimal care and always reblooming constantly.
In this post, we will share all the major orchid family or genus that grows around the islands, share some tips and events that happen throught the islands for visitors or locals can participate in.
What orchids are typically used for lei in Hawaii?
In Hawaii, Dendrobium orchids are commonly used to make leis. These orchids are chosen for their vibrant colors, including white, purple, pink, and yellow, as well as their durability. Their availability and ability to last a long time make them ideal for crafting beautiful leis for various occasions.
You’ll also see vanda orchids or cattleya used for many displays or used as corsages for many events including weddings in Hawaii.
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Hawaiian orchid families or genus
Hawaii is home to several orchid families and genera, with over 200 species growing in the islands. The main families include the Orchidaceae, which is the largest and most diverse group. Within this family, numerous genera are present, such as Dendrobium, Oncidium, Cattleya, and Phalaenopsis, among others. Each genus offers a variety of species with unique characteristics, contributing to Hawaii’s rich orchid diversity.
We will share the main orchid types or genus below and not in any particular order
Dendrobium orchids
Dendrobium orchids are highly popular in Hawaii due to their striking and colorful blooms. They flourish in the island’s warm, humid climate and produce flowers in various shades like white, purple, pink, and yellow. Known for their durability and long-lasting beauty, Dendrobiums are often used in leis and floral arrangements. Their adaptability to the local environment makes them a favorite among gardeners and florists, contributing to their prominence in Hawaiian horticulture and floral traditions.
Oncidium orchids
the Oncidium orchid tends to be more landscaped oriented and grown in gardens for its easy and carefree maintenance. It resembles a series of tiny danceers with flared petals giving it movement and ranges in colors from orange, brown, yellow, red and burgundy
Phalaenopsis orchids
Phalaenopsis orchids are quite showy and lasts a long time which is why the plant is very popular selling here and the mainland plant locations. Showy and simple, it is a popular plant used for display and even wedding ceremonies and other formal events. Phalaenopsis orchids symbolize health and properity hence the reason why they are popular orchids used for many purposes.
Cattleya orchids
The cattleya orchid is thought to be a symbol associated with fertility and virility with its showy and sexy flowers. Many cattleyas are epiphytic or grow on rocks or around trees. They are popular flowers used for corsages at formal events due to their showy nature with so many different colors and patterns used.
Outside of being very showy, several cattleyas are also aromatic, making them even more desirable to collecting and using for displays or adornments.
Cymbidium orchids
The Cymbidium orchid is the oldest cultivated orchid grown and thought to originate in China. Growing well in cooler and higher elevations in Hawaii, these plants grow easily and flower profusely when in bloom.
The Cymbidium Orchid is grown and known as a symbol of of beautiy, virtue, morality and love.
Vanda orchids
Showy Vanda orchids are so striking in bloom with large stalks of huge blooms in typical blue, purple and Lavendar colors. Thought to symbolize beauty and properity, these flowers are very popular for events and especially weddings and corsages.
In their native habitat, vandas typically grow well in trees, rocky area from wet to more seasonally dry forest areas which covers a lot of areas of Hawaii. Although commercially they tend to grow in greenhouses for controlled production.
What’s edible with Hawaiian orchids
Hawaiian orchids are typically not used with the flowers outside of decorative purposes, but the Hawaiian orchid vanilla plant is grown commercially to develop vanilla products prodused on the islands. Every things from vanilla inspired teas, vanilla chocolates to vanilla tinctures and extracts are specialty Hawaiian products that feature the vanilla bean and unique products that are developed.
Orchid shows in Hawaii
Plant and orchid flower enthusiasts flock to orchid shows on the islands to see a fantastic gathering of learning and education, orchid plants sales, specialty themes and even exciting and exotic orchids that are making their debut with new species and popular genus that are really drawing in buyers.
Each island typically has an annual show that draws in growers and enthusiasts in one large venue.
The largest orchid show tends to be the one in Hilo which is very showy with popular themes, orchid specialty displays, educational forums and even entertainment that can center on orchid lifestyle or just Hawaii themed in general.
Here are the major orchid shows that you’ll find on the islands around Hawaii:
Held at the Edith Kanaka stadium once a year typically late July timeframe, the Hilo Orchid show is the largest orchid show on all of the islands.
Happening typically around Mother’s Day and held at the at the Kona Old Airport Pavillion. Admission is $2 cash and includes a host of educational offerings. Check out their Facebook page or the Kona Orchid Society website below
Honolulu Orchid Society annual show
This is a free event that includes a variety of workshops and craft displays and sales, plant and orchid flower sales and other specialty shows. The show typically happens at the Washington Middle School cafeteria on October 7–8 from 9 AM–4 PM.
There are many other smaller orchid shows that occur around the islands annually and you can check with the major orchid societies below on their calendars to see when these shows takes place for the year.
Orchid Societies in Hawaii
For orchid enthusiasts on the island, joining orchid societies are fun, educational and social all wrapped up into one. Each island tends to have orchid societies established to help promote a variety of education, fun activities, tours and everything you can imagine orchid focused. If you are thinking about joining any of the known societies, check out these orchid groups below:
Operating for over 80 years the Honolulu orchid society has a variety of educational programs, orchid shows and a vaiety of meetings to mix and mingle with other orchid lovers in the community
The Hilo Orchid Society is an active group in HIlo offering orchid tours and gatherings, educational meetings, large scale events like the Hilo Orchid show and so many other wonderful activities for enthusiasts to enjoy everything orchid on the east side of Hawaii Island
The Kona Orchid Society gathers on the western side of Hawaii Island and helps members learn about all aspects of Orchid growing, culture and appreciation. They typically gather on the 2nd Fridays of the month for their meetings and their annual show that is held around Mother’s day every spring time.
Meeting in Kaneohe, Oahu, the Windward Orchid Society gathers on the second Wednesday of every month at the King Intermediate School Cafeteria, located at 46-155 Kamehameha Hwy. in Kaneohe. Covering a gamut of educational, specialty lectures, auctions and even an orchid show, you’ll find a lot of cool orchid peeps to socialize and learn from.
Here’s an orchid club started since 1953 and organizes monthly membership meetings are held on the 4th Mondays at at Aiea Elementary School Cafeteria, 99-370 Moanalua Road, Aiea, Hawaii 96701. Hosting an annual show, auction nights, field trips and so much more
This organization is dedicated to the education, preservation and cultivation of orchids. They have their general meetings every 3rd Tusday of each month from 6:30 to 9:00pm. The society hosts a variety of programs, plant sales, nursery tours and other special events for membership
Offering monthly gatherings at the Aina Haina Library with a variety of education and lectures, demonstrations and forums and tips to growing your own orchids on the islands.
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Conclusion to Hawaiian Orchids on the islands
Thanks for visiting This Hawaii Life and checking out this post on everything Orchid on the islands from events, orchid shows, orchid growing tips and major orchid genera that grows on the islands now.
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