Taiwan has long enjoyed the reputation of being the "Kingdom of Orchids," but it would usually take a long time before local customers could get the award-winning floral products they ordered. However, the problem has been largely solved this year, thanks to the growing commercialization of the island's orchid industry.

These butterfly orchids, one of the 35 registered competing butterfly orchids, nabbed first place in the Taiwan International Orchid Show held by Taiwan Sugar Corporation.

In the past, butterfly orchids required a long period of time to grow, but this year, customers won't have to wait in order to buy prize-winning orchids.

This is an indication of the strength in the commercialization of Taiwan's orchid industry.

According to the Ministry of Finance, Taiwan's floral industry produced 3.7 billion NT dollars in revenue.

The butterfly orchid itself brought in 2.5 billion NT dollars and production numbers continue to increase.

Despite competition from floral reigning country, Holland, as well as emerging competitor, China, workers from Taiwan's orchid industry, which currently ranks number one globally, say that as their techniques continue to improve, they are not yet threatened by the competition.

Taiwan industry workers say that of the 50 plus original orchid types, Taiwan has a firm grasp of 39, as well as 40% of the core growing techniques.

The annual Taiwan International Orchid Show has risen to become the second biggest orchid exhibition in the world.

In 2010, over 300 thousand people visited the exhibition, and given the economic growth and current export shipping orders, numbers are expected to top last year's.

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