Text by Wei Ruyu, interview and report
The “Flowers in Taipei – Orchid Art Exhibition” will open on February 24 at the Splendor Pavilion of the Taipei Expo Park. Today, the Taiwan Orchid Growers Association also selected the overall champion from among 346 competing orchids. The winner is Zhuang Yongshui (nicknamed “Uncle Shui”), who lives in Zihguan Township, Kaohsiung County, with his 12-year-old “Devil Dendrobium Orchid” winning the favor of most judges. In addition to viewing this piece at the exhibition, the public can also see a 3.6-meter-high orchid waterfall made of 2,000 Phalaenopsis orchids, as well as a 4.5-meter-tall orchid Ferris wheel.
The national orchid competition champion, the “Devil Dendrobium Orchid,” has a rather unique flower shape. (Photo by Jingdianjia Wei Ruyu)
Lai Ben-zhi, chairman of the Taiwan Orchid Growers Association, said that the Devil Dendrobium is not easy to cultivate and tends to drop leaves. The key to winning was being able to grow one with such uniform color, large bloom size, and high flower count. On the same day he won, Uncle Shui’s other work, the “Yellow Spiked Orchid,” also took the top prize in a Tainan orchid competition.
The exhibition features four main themes: landscaping, competition, orchid genus introductions, and plant variety rights. In addition to viewing the orchid waterfall, the colorful orchid Ferris wheel, the spinning teacups, and the immersive Taroko Gorge-like environment filled with streams, birdsong, and orchids, all competing entries will be displayed together. Visitors can see 15 common orchid genera in Taiwan, including Cattleya, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum, Cymbidium, and Laelia. Additionally, an orchid plant variety rights display area has been set up to help the public understand the importance of protecting plant variety rights and the trend of promoting “agricultural intellectual property.”
The Ferris wheel adorned with various beautiful orchids is full of dreamy, childlike charm. (Photo by Jingdianjia Wei Ruyu)
The Orchid Art Exhibition runs until March 11. Regular admission is NT$200, and holiday admission is NT$250. Tickets can be purchased on-site or at convenience stores. For more exhibition information, visit the official “Flowers in Taipei” website at tba.ishow.gmg.tw.
● Read more: New theme exhibition at Flowers in Taipei – Floral Art Conveys Soaring Notes
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