Taiwan Today

The Phalaenopsis is the "Queen of Orchids." Named after the butterfly be­ cause its flowers resemble their dancing wings fluttering in the sun, the lovely Phalaenopsis tops the list of Taiwan's orchid exports. In the international flower market, Phalaenopsis formosum— whose origin is Taiwan, called "Formosa" first by early Portuguese sailors— has already established a worldwide reputation for its delicate beauty and sturdy blooms. The Japanese have a special love for the flower, and it is their favorite orchid import from Taiwan.

Phalaenopsis orchids bloom in the early spring, and their blossoms can last from two to four months. Various local growers now have large investments in Phalaenopsis cultivation, and their marketing of export cut flowers has shown favorable expansion in recent years, especially after the overall quality of domestic Phalaenopsis cultivation achieved international standards of excellence. The yellow varieties of the species have become particularly popular on the market.

There are over 400 species of native orchids in Taiwan, most belonging to the Cymbidium genus. The most popular are Cymbidium sinense and Cymbidium ensifolium. A new "mini-size" variety developed in Taiwan is also becoming a hot export item. Cattleya types have also become popular among international buyers.

Orchid gardening has become a sophisticated scientific enterprise in Taiwan, and new species and growing tech­niques are constantly being developed by local experts. Experimental activities by local entrepreneurial growers as well as university researchers have also contributed to the health of the industry. Like other aspects of the new flower export industry, specialists in orchid cultivation and marketing are confident of continuing success in developing both domestic and international markets for their beautiful products.