The Singapore Orchid Show, held as part of the Singapore Garden Festival at Gardens by the Bay, has concluded with the announcement of its grand champion and the unveiling of a new orchid hybrid named in honour of the festival’s milestone edition. The event brought together orchid enthusiasts, growers, and designers to celebrate the beauty and diversity of these plants.
The grand champion and the competition
The Singapore Orchid Show featured entries across eight sections and 52 competition classes, showcasing rare, unique, and show-winning orchid varieties grown by hobbyists and industry partners. These included warm and cool-growing species and hybrids from different regions around the world. The display took place at the Flower Dome, where visitors could view the entries and learn about the care and cultivation of orchids. The grand champion was a hybrid of Renantanda Singapore Gardening Society and Vanda Alice Motes, and the competition recognised excellence in growing and presenting these plants, highlighting the skill and dedication of the participants.
A new hybrid for a milestone festival
To mark the 10th edition of the Singapore Garden Festival, a new orchid hybrid was named Papilionanthe Singapore Garden Festival. This hybrid was unveiled at the Awards Night and is now on display at The Meadow, welcoming visitors as they enter the festival grounds. Its ancestry traces back to Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim, Singapore’s national flower, linking it to the country’s botanical heritage. The hybrid’s breeding background includes contributions from British, American, and Australian breeders, as well as Asian species, reflecting the festival’s international spirit while maintaining strong local roots.
Connecting to Miss Joaquim
Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim holds a special place in Singapore’s history as the nation’s national flower, chosen for its vibrant colours and resilience. The new hybrid, Papilionanthe Singapore Garden Festival, builds on this legacy by incorporating the same species in its lineage. This connection honours both the natural heritage of Singapore and the festival’s role in promoting horticultural excellence. By naming the hybrid after the festival, organisers have created a living tribute that will continue to bloom and be shared with visitors for years to come.
Orchid Extravaganza adds global flavour
Alongside the Singapore Orchid Show, the Orchid Extravaganza: Rhythm of the Rainforest was held in the same venue at the Flower Dome. This display featured more than 7,000 orchids, including native species and varieties from Indonesia. The exhibition was presented in partnership with the Ministry of Creative Economy of Indonesia and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore. It included handwoven artworks and sculptural pieces made using the traditional anyaman weaving technique with coconut leaves and bamboo. Architectural recreations of traditional Sumbanese houses and Balinese Meru towers were also showcased, along with motifs inspired by Toba Batak patterns and ikat designs, highlighting the cultural stories and craftsmanship of the Indonesian archipelago. Together, these displays offered a rich experience of orchids not just as plants, but as part of broader traditions of nature and culture.
Sources
Based on: isomer-user-content.by.gov.sg · alvinology.com. Written and checked by the Orkpedia editors.