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Cut Flower Production in Orchid
The Orchidaceae contain over 800 genera and over 25,000 known species of monocotyledonous herbaceous perennial plants.
Prominent Genera Grown As Cut Flowers
1)
Cattleya
: A genus native to Central and South American tropics, cattleya has over 50 species and thousands of hybrids. Some species and their hybrids are photoperiodic responders and can be flowered twice in 1 year. The colors rangefrom white through various shades of lavender, yellow, and red. Bicolors, whitewith purple lips, are available. Flower size ranges from 6 to 15 cm.2)
Cymbidium
:
Cymbidium
is native to Asia and the Phillippines. The species andhybrids grown are the cool types requiring 10˚C night temperatures for flowering.Flowers (7.5-12.5 cm) are grown basically for spring trade, when their pastelshades are most fitting. However, flowers are available year-round since growersin Australia supply the northern markets during the Australian spring when plantsin the United States are vegetative.3)
Phalaenopsis
: These orchids, native to Asia, the Phillippines, and Indonesia, arevery popular for use in wedding bouquets. White flowers, hybrids of 
 Phalaenopsis
 
amabilis
, are available year-round as these plants can be maintainedin flower continually. Pink and other colors are available in fall and spring.4)
 Dendrobium
: These natives of the Western Pacific basin are widely grown for their long lasting sprays of cut flowers. Thailand, Singapore, Hawaii are thelargest producers of 
 Dendrobium
sprays. A typical Thailand spray is cut withseven flowers and seven buds. This large genus, with a wide variety of flower colors, sizes, and shapes, has great potential for cut flower production.5)
Vanda
: These natives of Southeast Asia have long been popular plants. Probablythe best known is
Vanda
Miss Joaquim, which has been used in Hawaiian leis for many years. It also has been widely used as a promotional flower 
. Vanda
flower sprays are now being grown in Singapore, Thailand, and Hawaii. The latter areavailable throughout the year in a variety of sizes and colors.6)
 Ascocenda
: These hybrids of 
Vanda
and
 Ascocentrum
. Resemble miniature
Vandas
and have an excellent shelf life. Presently most of the cut flower  production is in Thailand and all of the flowers are shipped to West Germany.Yields as high as 150 spikes m
2/
year have been reported.7)
 Arachnis
and its Hybrids (
 Aranthera (Arachnis × Renanthera) and Aranda(Arachnis × Vanda
): These Southeastern Asia natives are widely grown as cutflowers in Singapore and Malaysia. They are grown in open fields with minimalcare and produce up to 12 spikes per plant per year. One hectare is capable of  producing between 660,000 and 799,000 spikes per year depending on thenumber of plants per hectare. A variety of colors is available.8)
Oncidium
Golden Showers
: A hybrid of Central and South American plants, this
Oncidium
is a very popular cut flower used in West Germany. Most of the production is in Singapore. Where the plants flower all year. The sprays of dainty bright yellow flowers are excellent for use in cut flower arrangements1
 
9)
 Paphiopedilum
: The lady slipper orchids, natives of Southeast Asia, have long been popular cut flowers in Europe and the northern parts of the United States.Most of those cultivars grown are hybrids of species, such as
 Paphiopediluminsigne
and require cool nights (10 ˚C) for best flowering, so production is limitedto the more temperate climates. However, recent interest in the warm types, suchas
 P. nivium
and
 P. callosum
, should lead to the introduction of more warmgrowing types , which could be produced commercially as far south as Florida.
Propagation
Orchids are asexually propagated by several means. Seeds contain no endospermand cannot germinate in the wild without the aid of a fungus. Knudson’s work led tothe development of Knudson’s “C” Solution for orchid seed germination.
Orchid House and its Management
1)An orchid house is a structure that provides conditions suitable for healthygrowth of orchids.2)It should be located in an area not shaded by trees so that sufficient light isavailable and built in north-south direction lengthwise. A deciduous tree, inwinter, on the west side may be advantageous, as it will provide shade insummer and will not obstruct sunlight in winter. Growing climbers likeIpomea, Passiflora, etc. on roof serves the same purpose. The floor may beslightly higher than ground level, as it will help in drainage during heavyrains.3)
Lath House
: Inclined or flat roof orchid house supported by wooden postsembedded in a concrete base is particularly suitable for growing tropicalorchids. The roof of such house is made of split bamboos or wooden slates 3-5 cm in width, placed in N-S direction leaving 2-4 cm gap in-between. In places with high rainfall, polythene films are used on such roof. The sides of the house may be kept open during monsoon or covered with wire mesh.Except pathways, the floor of the house should be covered with paved brick, porous gravel, pumice, cinder or similar absorbent material so that highhumidity can be maintained inside the house. Long wooden benches should be provided to display the orchids in pots.4)It is a good idea to have a water tank or reservoir or lily pools in the orchidhouse so that high humidity is maintained by evaporation. Pipeline inside thehouse is necessary for watering the plants. A built in spray system will beexcellent.5)
Fibreglass House
: Fiberglass roofing, providing uniform mild and diffusedsunlight is used. This is generally provided with short walls over which glass-windows are fixed all round. Under subtropical conditions, the windows mayremain closed to maintain the temperature. If necessary, heaters may also be provided. Advantages of this kind of orchid houses are – durability, cleaner environment, controlled watering, diffused sunlight and suitability in bothtropical and subtropical zones.2
 
6)
Controlled Glasshouse
: The houses have either a heating system designedfor tropical orchids to be cultivated in temperate conditions or air cool systemdesigned for temperate orchids in tropical zone. Walls may be 1.06 m highand a roof pitching from the walls at approximately 45˚, the roof beingconstructed entirely of glass. Beams should be fitted under the roof for hanging epiphytic orchids which require more sunlight. Exhaust fans andventilators are also provided to be used when required. During summer timeit is necessary to partially shade the house by painting the top with lime or byusing lath or strips of muslin or screen. The use of passive solar principles(wood construction, double glazing, insulated north and east wall) showedadvantages in cold climates over traditional designs.7)While watering in cool months in winter, hot water may be added to the tapwater so that a temperature of 12.8 to 15.6 ˚ C is obtained. When plantingmedium is moist to touch, water should be withheld, but when it seems drywater should be given. Plants in basket require more water than those in pots.During cloudy winter months, watering may be done once or twice a week, but in summers, watering every day is necessary. A fine spray or light streamshould be used for watering to avoid hitting the plants with much force.8)During summer, sunny corners can be covered with split bamboos or 
moonj
grass (
 Erianthus ravennae
) nets to reduce inflow of hot air. Keepingornamental foliage plants like ferns
 Anthurium
etc. will add moisture to thehouse.9)Suitable temperature has to be maintained in the house, the best range is 18.3to 29.4 ˚ C. Variation between night and day temperatures should be about-13.3 to -12.2 ˚C.10)Many tropical, subtropical, and temperate orchids including species of 
 Aerides,
 
Vanda, Dendrobium, Paphiopedilum, Cymbidium
etc., grow andflower well in ordinary greenhouses in Darjeeling.
Composts, Potting Methods, And Containers
1)Epiphytic orchid can be grown in straight
Osmunda
fibre which consists of theintricate root system of two types of ferns of the genus
Osmunda
, found in moist places. It lasts longer and contains 2 to 3 % N
2
which is released slowly as fibredecomposes.
 Polypodium
fibre, a root system of another fern can instead also beused. Mixed compost of 
Osmunda
with Sphagnum moss, is also being used. As asubstitute for Osmunda and
 Polypodium,
many orchidists use tree-fern fibers.These tree-fern fibers are very suitable for growing orchids in baskets or on raftsin small pieces about 1 foot (30 cm) long. They remain in good condition from 3-10 years in a greenhouse.2)Many epiphytic orchids can be grown in clayey pots. Bigger pots have been foundto encourage vegetative growth whereas plants grown in small pots produce better flowers.3)Wooden baskets allowing sufficient aeration and drainage are most suitablecontainers for epiphytic orchids producing pendulous inflorescence. Wooden logsor blocks with the bark still on them are also suitable for growing many epiphytic3
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