Orchids

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Scientific Name

I. Botany/History

  • Family: Orchidaceae
  • Growth Habit: Most orchids in cultivation are epiphytic, growing upon trees, rocks, and decomposing material instead of rooting into the ground. They have fleshy roots and stems that have a white coating called velamin. This coating helps to absorb water and nutrients. There are thousands of orchid species, highly variable in their requirements. Each species requires a different balance of temperature, humidity, light, water, fertilizer, media, ventilation, etc.
  • Origin: Native orchids have been found growing on every continent except Antarctica. New species are being discovered all of the time. *Development: In 1789, the Royal Botanic Gardens were cultivating 15 species. During the folling 50 years, orchid mania swept over Europe.
  • Key people: Currently, the major countries from which U.S. companies import orchids from are Taiwan, Thailand, and the Netherlands.


II. Uses

  • Pots: Potted orchid plants are becoming increasingly popular in nurseries and retail stores alike.
  • Cut flowers: Orchids are used by florists in arrangements, corsages, and wedding bouquets for an elegant and unique look. While orchids comprise only 8% of the market in sales of wholesale cut flowers, this still earns them a place in the top 10.
  • Bedding plants: Orchids are used as bedding plants in tropical areas.


III. Propagation

  • Sexual: This is usually done through seed embryo culture, because orchid seed is very minute and devoid of stored food for seed germination. Orchid and fungi have a symbiotic relationship during germination: certain fungi will infect orchid seeds and help convert complex starch to simple sugars, which serves as an energy source for both organisms. Studies have been done on different strains of fungi to determine which produce the highest germination rates for different orchid species. Seed embryo culture usually takes place in a lab, where seed is placed in a small, clear, covered container ontop a base containing nutrients and beneficial fungi. Though an orchid plant can produce thousands of seed, in nature only a few find appropriate conditions in which they can survive. However, using current seed embryo culture techniques usually produces a high germination success rate.
  • Asexual: Usually done when trying to preserve a speciman, such as in conservatories; not for mass propagation. Orchids can be asexually reproduced in a few ways. Division is done by separating pseudobulbs into sections with 2-3 nodes each. Occasionally, a bud will give rise to a young plant at the top, the side of a psuedobulb, or cane. Top cutting is done when a plant becomes leggy; new roots will develop readily. Monopodial orchids can be propagated by tip cuttings. Recently, some terrestrial hardy orchids have been propagated in vitro.


IV. Growing/Flowering

  • Light - (photosynthesis, photoperiodic responses):
  • Temperature (recommended/necessary for different growth stages or growth regulation)
  • Water
  • Nutrition
  • Media/Potting/Planting
  • Atmosphere
  • Growth Regulation (chemical, environmental, etc.)


V. Special Considerations - (special timing or growing techniques, idiosyncraces, etc.)


VI Disorders

  • Insect
  • Disease
  • Physiological


VII. Marketing and Grading

  • Areas of production in U.S.
  • Specific dates or holidays if applicable


VIII. Postharvest Handling


IX. Cultivars


X. References