The tiger orchids in Yuchi Township are in full bloom, adding splashes of color through the Spring Festival and Lantern Festival

The "little cherries" introduced last year have now become the mainstream in the market. (Photo by Shen Huisheng)

Green governance has also influenced the green floral market; pictured is the popular "green apple" variety. (Photo by Shen Huisheng)

The newly bred "Red Diamond," created by crossing Cymbidium sinense and Cymbidium hookerianum, is highly eye-catching. (Photo by Shen Huisheng)

The tiger orchid boasts large, beautiful blooms and a long flowering period, making it perfectly suited for the Spring Festival. (Photo by Shen Huisheng)

Currently, major orchid farms in Yuchi Township are busy arranging pots and shipping out plants. (Photo by Shen Huisheng)

Nantou County’s Yuchi Township is Taiwan’s largest producer of tiger orchids, holding a 90% market share. These large plants can grow as tall as a person, offering an impressive sight. The peak blooming season for tiger orchids is at the end and beginning of the year, but this year’s blooming period has been slightly delayed due to the mild temperature contrast during winter. At the moment, the plants in various orchid farms have only just begun to bloom. However, this delay has its advantages — the full bloom is expected to coincide with the Spring Festival, and the flowering period may even extend beyond the Lantern Festival.

Zhuang Zhijian, head of the Agricultural Economy Section at Yuchi Township Office, said that in previous years, the flower fields would usually be in full bloom by now. While such profuse blooms are undeniably stunning, using fully opened plants as potted flowers for sale would result in quick wilting, leaving farmers with no choice but to sell them as cut flowers — significantly reducing their profits.

The ideal scenario is for the buds to be half-open two to three weeks before the Spring Festival. By arranging them in pots and letting a few flowers bloom initially while others gradually open, both consumers looking for festive decorations and farmers aiming for better returns benefit the most. This year’s blooming season may align well with this optimal situation.

Aside from the blooming period, farmers this year are facing unprecedented challenges with home deliveries. Logistics companies have set restrictions on the packaging size of potted plants, refusing to transport any pots taller than 150 centimeters. However, some varieties of tiger orchids can grow flower spikes as tall as 160 to 180 centimeters. The height restrictions are expected to shift market trends and influence the types of varieties grown, prompting many flower farmers to adjust by cultivating more medium and small-sized varieties.

To assist farmers with marketing and promote the concept of “using flowers instead of incense for blessings to reduce air pollution,” since 2015, Yuchi Township Office has organized an annual orchid market at the Wenwu Temple in Sun Moon Lake from New Year’s Day to the Lantern Festival. This event allows visitors to admire and purchase orchids or use them as offerings instead of incense. Currently, three businesses have set up stalls at the Wenwu Temple Plaza in Sun Moon Lake, selling potted or cut orchids.

Guo Guangzhan, owner of Dongguang Orchid Garden, said that this year’s blooming period is expected to coincide with the Spring Festival. Although slightly higher temperatures have led to a slight reduction in yield, orders and prices remain favorable. Orchid farmer Shi Xiuzhi noted that after more than ten years of breeding and mass production, the "Green Apple" and "Little Cherry" varieties launched last year have become new favorites in the market. The compact "Little Green King" is of high quality, and the newly released "Red Diamond" is also attracting attention and praise.