Orchid Fragrance Competition at the 2022 Hilo Orchid Show
​For Exhibitors:

  • This competition is for orchids with a pleasant fragrance – floral, fruity, “powdery”, spicy, even medicinal.  It is not to showcase unpleasant fragrances such as rancid or fecal, however “interesting” they may be.  Also, the competition is for the BEST fragrance, not necessarily the strongest fragrance.
  • This competition is for day fragrant orchids only.  While night fragrant orchids may have beautiful fragrances, it is beyond our ability to properly display them at this point.
  • The plant(s) displayed may have one flower or tens of flowers but at least one must be open for the commencement of the show.
  • Each exhibit can consist of a single orchid plant or a grouping of orchid plants of the same species or clone of a hybrid.
  • Only plants specifically entered in the Fragrance Competition and displayed in the special display area will be eligible for this trophy; plants in regular displays are excluded.
  • All plants must be free of pests or visible disease.
  • Although not required, it is recommended that plants be labelled with genus, species / hybrid, and clone (if known).  Plants in the fragrance competition will also be eligible for any other ribbons or trophies that they qualify for (if labelled).
  • Plant(s) size is unimportant as long as it will fit within a 2’ x 2’ table space.  Consideration should be given to how easily the judges (show attendees) can access the flower to sample the fragrance: is the fragrance readily apparent from a distance or is it faint where the judge will have to approach closely to sample it?  
  • Please be aware that the Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium is prone to strong breezes.  Please try to design your exhibit to take this into account; we don’t want the breeze to cause your plant to fall over and become damaged (so ballast might be required).
  • While this competition is for fragrance, the aesthetics of appearance also need to be addressed.  Pots may need to be slipped into attractive clay or ceramic pots or covered in something like burlap, tatami mat, or Spanish moss (“Pele’s hair”) to improve aesthetics.
  • Display setup and breakdown can only be done during the time periods allocated for this in the show rules.  All fragrance entries will be required to remain in the show until the conclusion of the show on Sunday afternoon.