Akatsuka Orchid Gardens

If you are a flower lover and especially if you are an orchid lover, you will want to plan a stop at the Akatsuka Orchid Gardens in Volcano, Hawaii…that’s the Big Island of Hawaii.  And, yes, there is a town called Volcano, which as the name implies is situated adjacent to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

The weather in this area is almost ideal for growing orchids and anthuriums.   As a matter of fact, in nearby Mountain View, they grow a lot of anthuriums since they love the damp, cool weather that envelopes this part of the island.  I have an aunt who used to live there and  2/3rds of her yard was fern tree shaded and filled with anthuriums of every shape, size and color imaginable.  Of course, that also meant it was also heavily infested by mosquitoes…they also love those damp conditions.

The Akatsuka Orchid Gardens is located on Hwy 19, the main around-the-island highway, between Mountain View and Volcano.  If you’re lucky, your stop will not coincide with one of the many tour buses that stop here daily.  You will find everything from the common orchids to some species that are endangered, from tiny quarter sized flowers to hand-sized blooms, and all the expertise to help give you tips on how to raise your own back home.

The view that greets you upon entering the Akatsuka Orchid Gardens

More of the beautiful orchids on display

Bring with you or Ship them home

You can select the orchid plants that you want and they will either pack it for you to take with you on your plane ride home or they will ship it back to you, whichever you prefer. All of their plants are pre-inspected by the Hawaii Agricultural Department and certified pest free so that you can get them pass the Agricultural inspection at the airport. (I think the exceptions to that include Arizona, which does not permit orchids to be imported into the state.)

You can also go to the Akatsuka Orchid Gardens website and order online, if a trip to the Big Island is not in your immediate future.  You will also find tips on growing orchids there.