Hawaiian Orchids for a Fresh, Elegant Look in Your Home

 

 

In quiet corners, orchids bloom,

Soft whispers in a perfumed room,

Gentle petals, nature’s loom,

In their silence, beauty’s groom.

Tender stems, gracefully tall,

In their presence, shadows fall,

Silent beauty, enthralls us all,

Orchids stand, slender and small.

In their stillness, a story told,

Of elegance, bold yet cold,

In their petals, mysteries hold,

Whispering orchids, nature’s gold.

 

—Maya Anthony 

 

 

I live in Hawaii and I love having orchids in my home. They bring a sense of freshness, brightness, and elegance to any room.  I love shopping for my orchids at Akatsuka Orchid, an orchid nursery at the base of Mauna Loa, a volcano on the Big Island. Here, I get beautiful orchids, anthuriums, bromeliads, and tropical plants. You can special order them and even have them shipped to you!

Hawaiian orchids are beautiful and diverse plants that can add color and fragrance to your home or garden. There are many types of orchids that grow in Hawaii, but only three are native to the islands: Anoectochilus sandvicensis, Liparis hawaiensis, and Platanthera holochila. These orchids are rare and endangered, and have subtle green or white flowers that blend in with the forest floor.

 

 

 

They even have a program called ‘Legacy Naming Club’ which allows one to purchase the ability to name a new orchid hybrid that is created, thus allowing their legacy to be left behind in the orchid world.

Most of the orchids that you see in Hawaii are introduced species that have been cultivated for commercial or ornamental purposes. Some of the most popular and common ones are:

• Cattleya orchids: These orchids have large and showy flowers that come in various colors, such as pink, purple, yellow, and white. They are often used for corsages and lei, and have a sweet and spicy fragrance. Cattleyas are epiphytes, which means they grow on trees or other plants, and need bright light, warm temperatures, and good air circulation to thrive³⁴.
• Dendrobium orchids: These orchids have long and slender stems that produce clusters of flowers that can last for several weeks. They come in many colors, such as white, yellow, pink, purple, and green. They are also used for lei and decorations, and have a mild and pleasant scent. Dendrobiums are also epiphytes, and need moderate light, warm to cool temperatures, and regular watering and fertilizing³⁴.
• Phalaenopsis orchids: These orchids have flat and round flowers that resemble moths or butterflies, hence their common name of moth orchids. They are one of the easiest orchids to grow, as they can adapt to low light, warm temperatures, and high humidity. They come in various colors, such as white, pink, purple, and yellow, and some have spots or stripes. They have a long blooming season, and can produce flowers for several months. Phalaenopsis orchids are also epiphytes, and need to be watered and fertilized regularly³⁴.
• Oncidium orchids: These orchids have small and numerous flowers that form a spray or a spike. They are also known as dancing lady orchids, because their flowers look like dancing figures with skirts. They come in many colors, such as yellow, orange, red, brown, and white, and some have patterns or fringes. They have a sweet and fruity fragrance, and are often used for bouquets and arrangements. Oncidium orchids are also epiphytes, and need bright light, warm to cool temperatures, and frequent watering and fertilizing³⁴.
• Cymbidium orchids: These orchids have large and waxy flowers that can last for several weeks. They come in many colors, such as white, yellow, green, pink, red, and brown, and some have spots or stripes. They have a fresh and floral fragrance, and are often used for corsages and cut flowers. Cymbidium orchids are terrestrial, which means they grow in soil or pots, and need bright light, cool temperatures, and regular watering and fertilizing³⁴.
• Vanda orchids: These orchids have long and strap-like leaves and produce spikes of flowers that can be very fragrant. They come in many colors, such as blue, purple, pink, orange, and white, and some have spots or stripes. They are often grown in baskets or pots, and need bright light, warm temperatures, and high humidity. Vanda orchids are also epiphytes, and need to be watered and fertilized frequently³⁴.
• Miltoniopsis orchids: These orchids have round and flat flowers that resemble pansies, hence their common name of pansy orchids. They come in various colors, such as white, pink, purple, red, and yellow, and some have patterns or markings. They have a delicate and sweet fragrance, and are often used for pot plants and cut flowers. Miltoniopsis orchids are epiphytes, and need bright light, cool temperatures, and regular watering and fertilizing³⁴.

 

other types;

 

Anthuriaums

 

 

Bromeliads

 

These are just some examples of Hawaiian orchids that you can find or grow. You can see some reference photos of these orchids by following the links in the references or by doing your own web search. I hope this helps. 😊

References: ¹: Hawaii’s Three Native Orchids – Honolulu Civil Beat ²: The Orchids of Hawaii : Volcano Village Lodge ³: Shop Quality Orchids | Akatsuka Orchid Gardens ⁴: Live Hawaiian Orchids – Kaleialoha Orchid Farm Home of Hawaii Blooms