Vanda Miss Joaquim is a natural hybrid between Vanda teres and Vanda hookeriana. The orchid was the work of birds and bees. Miss Agnes Joaquim discovers the flower as she was walking through her garden and she got so excited about it, she immediately took the flower to the Director of Singapore botanic Garden that confirmed it was a new orchid.

When Singapore was a young nation and searching for its own identity during the early day, Singapore knew that it needs a national flower. So the Quest for the search of the national flower begins. After a lengthy and exhausted search, the white scorpion orchid, Arachnis Hookerana was present.

A Cabinet paper was prepared; approval of for Arachnis Hookerana was in motion. And then, a second thought and the decision came to a halt. A new proposal was put forward to the cabinet to name Vanda Miss Joaquim as Singapore’s National Flower.

On the 15 April 1981, Minister of Culture, S. Dhanabalan announced that the Vanda Miss Joaquim would become Singapore’s National flower. The flower was chosen from so many other flowers as Singapore’s national flower because the orchid was considered as it got the ability to bloom throughout the year.

Today after so many years, using of the Orchid as the main selling theme for souvenirs is everywhere and it also has catch the hearts of every Singaporean. The National flower of Singapore.

Source : Singapore, Tourism & Me and Wikipedia