Great Destinations

Hilo Orchid Show – July 2026

In Santa Barbara, California where we live most of the time, we have several nearby orchid farms and many varieties are readily available. So, we thought we knew what we might see when we attended the annual Hilo Orchid Show, staged by the Hilo Orchid Society. It is a big two day event with world class orchid growers competing for awards and selling some of their delicate creations. We were unprepared for the amazing variety of complex blossoms on display. There were so many different sizes, shapes, color variations, etc that I realized I really don’t know what the definition of an orchid is. This gallery has shots of some of the most unique ones I could find. I’ve used Google Lens to try and guess their names, but there are so many hybrid varieties that it is impossible for a non-knowledgeable person like me to be confident I got the name right. Still, if you are seriously interested in figuring out what these flowers are, my captions will give you at least a head-start!

Several broad Vanda orchids blend peach, mauve, and violet tones with darker speckling around their centers.
The image depicts Vanda sanderiana, also known as the Waling-waling orchid. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Lady's slipper orchid with a white-and-green striped upper sepal, yellow spotted side petals, and olive pouch.
This flower appears to be a Paphiopedilum venustum orchid, also known as a lady’s slipper orchid. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Airy cluster of pale green orchids with dark flecks and narrow curled petals against bark and moss.
This appears to be a Dendrobium alexandrae, characterized by its striking yellow petals covered in dark, distinct spots. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Single saturated rose-pink orchid with wide petals, a frilled magenta center, and a small pale throat.
This flower appears to be an Rlc or Blc (Brassolaeliocattleya) orchid, specifically matching the cultivar ‘Chia Lin’. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Single pale orchid with a large white pouch, lavender-veined upper petal, and small yellow center.
The Paphiopedilum micranthum, commonly known as the silver slipper orchid. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Dark maroon slipper orchid with long curling side petals, a pale green pouch, and striped upper sepal.
This Paphiopedilum orchid resembles the ‘Crowning Glory’ hybrid, which is notable for its dramatic, long-petaled blooms. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Red and burgundy slipper orchid with elongated striped petals and a yellow-speckled pouch among green foliage.
Phragmipedium Inca Embers hybrid at the annual Hilo Orchid Society Show – Hilo, HI
Dense group of white moth orchids with rounded petals and small yellow-orange throats in soft exhibition light.
This white Phalaenopsis orchid features a distinct yellow and red center, commonly known as a Moth Orchid.Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Small golden-orange orchid with a tubular bloom and two thin trailing tips suspended against a dark background.
This plant is a Masdevallia pastinata, a type of Andean cloud forest orchid. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Cluster of pale yellow moth orchids covered with droplets, their small centers tinted pink and cream.
This is a Phalaenopsis hybrid, commonly known as a moth orchid, featuring yellow petals with delicate water droplets.These orchids are popular houseplants for beginners. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Close view of a soft pink Phragmipedium flower with a rounded pouch and pale yellow center.
Phragmipedium slipper orchid at the annual Hilo Orchid Society Show – Hilo, HI
Close-up of a white moth orchid heavily patterned in vivid magenta, surrounded by softly blurred purple blooms.
This appears to be a Phalaenopsis orchid, specifically resembling hybrids like ‘Ox Red Lion’ or a ‘Purple Leopard’ variety. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Large exhibition arrangement of multicolored orchids, ferns, moss, and carved decorative figures.
An award winning display of orchids and other flowers at the annual Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Pair of ruffled fuchsia orchids with cream outer petals, yellow centers, and water droplets on the blooms.
This is a Cattleya orchid hybrid featuring vibrant magenta and yellow petals. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Multiple Paphiopedilum blooms with green-brown striped sepals, dangling fuzzy petals, and reddish pouches.
This flower is identified as a Paphiopedilum Prince Edward of York orchid, a hybrid known for its long, ribbon-like petals. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Pale pink slipper orchid with an upright pouch-shaped bloom and unopened buds against a dark exhibition background.
Phragmipedium hybrid, perhaps the Cardinale at the annual Hilo Orchid Society Show – Hilo, HI
Three lavender orchids with purple spotting, frilled lips, and glowing yellow centers against dark green foliage.
These flowers are Cattleya amethystoglossa, a species of orchid from Brazil known for its -amethyst-lipped- petals. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Dark pointed orchid with long burgundy petals, a spotted yellow-brown lip, and bright rim light from behind.
It is characterized by large, burgundy-red blooms with a frilly, ruffled lip and contrasting yellow throat details. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Long drooping orchid spike packed with small white blossoms marked in lavender beside strap-like green leaves.
his plant is a Rhynchostylis retusa, commonly known as the foxtail orchid due to its long, tapering inflorescence. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Minute fuzzy burgundy orchid with a long tapered lower petal isolated against a softly blurred blue background.
This tiny,wispy flower is the Bulbophyllum fascinator orchid, often referred to as the -Fascinating Bulbophyllum-. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Exotic burgundy and yellow orchid cluster with narrow trailing petals attached near a bamboo support.
This orchid is identified as Bulbophyllum rothschildianum. It is a miniature orchid native to regions including southern China, India, and Myanmar. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Cluster of broad copper-pink Cattleya flowers with saturated purple lips against a colorful orchid display.
This appears to be a Cattleya orchid hybrid, potentially Lc. Allen Condo or a similar mix. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Several white pansy-like orchids with irregular dark maroon center patches rise above broad green leaves.
This orchid is a Miltoniopsis Lillian Nakamoto ‘Tanto’, a hybrid popular for its fragrant, pansy-like flowers.It is characterized by striking white petals contrasted by a near-black, bat-shaped center, often nicknamed the -Batorchid-. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Twin peach-pink orchids with broad petals, scalloped lavender lips, and yellow centers amid green leaves.
This is almost certainly another Rlc Princess of Hawaii orchid, known for the unique peach color but slightly different than the other one here. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Compact spray of angular rust-orange orchid blossoms patterned with dense brown spotting among narrow green leaves.
This flower appears to be a Mormodes Exotic Treat orchid, noted for its spotted orange and red petals. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Branching orchid stem with multiple narrow star-like flowers, long green sepals, and dark brown spots.
Brassia hybrid, likely Brassia Rex ‘Sakata’ (a Spider Orchid), known for its long, spider-like greenish-yellow sepals and petals with prominent brown spots. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI
Pair of large orange orchids with rounded petals and deeply ruffled trumpet-shaped centers.
This is likely a Rlc.( Rhyncholaeliocattleya) Princess of Hawaii orchid, known for the peach color. Seen at the Hilo Orchid Show – Hilo, HI