There is something special about Orchid. It’s just not because they are a beautiful flower; did you know that they are the national flower of Singapore? It is not a secret anymore that flowers are used as a symbol for so many things in the world, each flower has its own meaning, and different color of type flower can become a different symbol for some things.
One example is Roses; they are famously known as the symbol of love. People always associated Roses with love and men always prefer this flower to express their love to their woman, same thing goes to Orchids.
Generally, Orchids are associated with elegance, royalty, admiration, integrity, passion, power, and even pride.
There are actually more about Orchids that could be explored, and this is because of the complicated yet beautiful shapes of Orchids, they also have several colors, and each of them is just stunning to see. So why Orchid become the Singapore national flower?
How Orchid Became The National Flower of Singapore
Orchid, specifically the Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid was selected as Singapore national flower exactly on 15 April 1981. This Orchid was chosen among 40 type of flowers which 30 of them were also Orchids.
Orchids were chosen because they have been associated and identified with Singapore for quite awhile. The meaning of Orchids is perfect to symbolize and reflect the quality and spirit of our country.
Singapore is the only nation with a hybrid flower as a national symbolism. Vanda Miss Joaquim is a hybrid of Orchids named Vanda Teres and Vanda Hookeriana. The name of Vanda Miss Joaquim itself was picked from the founder of this hybrid Orchid, Agnes Joaquim.
Agnes Joaquim was an experienced horticulturalist and an Armenian descent in Singapore, and she is the first one who introduced this type of Orchid flower to the world, that’s why her name are used to show respect and honor.
However, there is a controversy whether she was the one who bred this hybrid Orchid, or she is just the first people who discovered this hybrid Orchid.
After all, the main reason why this flower was chosen to be the national flower of Singapore is because we believe the flower would be best to represent our pride and identity. This flower has a vibrant color, resilience and hardiness quality that reflects Singapore spirit.
More Facts about Vanda Miss Joaquim Orchids
First, Orchids, especially the Vanda Miss Joaquim is the only hybrid flower used for a national flower or the symbol for a nation, which is Singapore. They are also the plant that are develop in Singapore, and this is the very first type of hybrid plant that are registered from Singapore.
Second, there is a park in Singapore named after this Singapore national flower: The Vanda Miss Joaquim park. There are also several roads in Singapore that use the name of national flower of Singapore and that includes the Vanda Crescent and Vanda Drive.
Third, research has prove that the actual parents of the hybrid Orchid—Vanda Miss Joaquim (Vanda Teres and Vanda Hookeriana) are in the genus Papilionanthe, instead of Vanda. So they should be called as Papilionanthe Teres and Papilionanthe Hookeriana and the Vanda Miss Joaquim also should be called Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim. Even so, the common name of this hybrid Orchid have not changed. People still call them the Vanda Miss Joaquim.
Fourth, the Vanda Miss Joaquim had been getting national and even international attention since the 1890s or since the flower was found. Now, this flower bloom at several countries like Malaysia, Hawaii, Philippines, the Dutch East Indies and other tropical countries, but Singapore is this flower’s real habitat.
Fifth, the Vanda Miss Joaquim was described as ‘a child of Singapore’, and it is the most fitting emblem for any progressive party. This flower was also chosen as the Malayan Orchid Society’s crest in 1957.
Last but not least, growing Vanda Miss Joaquim requires a heavy fertilization for the sake of optimal flowering. This flower will grow best in an open place that gets enough sun shines, and the air is non-stagnant. When the condition are right, this flower can grow about 5 cm across and 6 cm tall for each flower.
Getting Orchids are a great gift since we can sense some vibe of nationalism in this flower. No wonder why several accessories imitated the form of Orchids, aside from its beauty. The Orchid also has a wonderful scent, they are also used for aromatherapy. After reading all these facts about Orchids, don’t you just love Orchids more and want to order some for your loved one?
