Spectacular shows in Tokyo and Taiwan: CLARE and JOHAN HERMANS reveal the best of the Japan Grand Prix International Orchid Festival and Taiwan's International Orchid Show

摘要

Bright sunshine greeted us on our arrival in Tokyo after the coldest night of the winter. The sunshine continued throughout the 9-day show, the 25th Japan Grand Prix International Orchid Festival, held 14-22 February. This annual show was held in theTokyo Dome baseball stadium. The main, central exhibit consisted of a sea of white Phalaenopsis plants, framed by others dyed in shades of blue, surrounding an enormous, translucent sphere rising phoenix-like, 12 metres above the ground. From inside thesphere came the sound of gentle tinkling bells, light effects traced patterns on the surface, and below, all the winning orchids encircled the podium.