How Are Orchids Grown For Commercial Use?

Orchids are a diverse and valuable plant, grown for various purposes such as potted ornamental plants and medicinal purposes. In India, some native genera like Cymbidium, Paphiopedilum, Vanda, Arachnis, and Dendrobium are grown on large scales. The global orchid industry is a significant contributor to biodiversity, conservation, and bio-piracy of genetic resources.

Orchids are grown in various regions, including Sikkim, Darjeeling Hills, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and more. The coronavirus pandemic has led to an increase in new markets for orchids, with poinsettias becoming the most valuable potted plants in the past decade. Commercial orchid growers often create their own media, including fir bark, sphagnum peat, perlite, sphagnum moss, coconut husk chips, and diatomite.

Orchids are grown by seeds, tissue culture, and vegetative propagation, with the best choice being tissue culture plants from recognized suppliers. Common containers used for planting orchids include earthen pots, plastic pots, baskets, tree fern block, wooden trays, and whole husks of coconut. About 70 of the world’s orchids are epiphytic and/or stony, 25 are terrestrial, and 5 grow on mixed substrates.

Orchids require regular, thorough watering, allowing them to drain before the next watering. Growing containers vary from plastic to clay pots and wire or redwood hanging pots. Commercially grown orchids are mostly epiphytes, requiring different growing conditions compared to other normal flower plants.

In conclusion, orchids are a diverse and valuable plant that can be grown in various ways, including as cut flower trades, potted ornamental plants, and medicinal purposes. The global orchid industry plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting the diversity of orchids, ensuring their continued growth and prosperity.

How are new orchids made?

Vanda orchids are juvenile plants that are naturally found on their parent species. They reproduce through seed propagation. Another method of propagation is the use of keiki, which are clones of Vanda orchids.

How do orchids propagate in the wild?

Orchids reproduce through pollination and offshoots, known as Kindel, to ensure the continued existence of their species. When orchids became popular as houseplants in the 18th century, ornamental gardeners were unsure of how to grow them, leading to the importation of every plant from their country of origin. However, about 150 years later, a crucial trick was discovered: microscopic orchid seeds can germinate through a symbiosis with a filamentous fungus.

This fungus penetrates the seeds and provides nutrients until the seedlings can feed themselves. Modern plant breeding allows for the seeds to be provided with nutrients asymbiotically without fungus by cultivating them on special nutrient media.

Orchid cultivation is complex, including the extraction of seeds. In nature, insects help with pollination, but in greenhouses, pollen must be applied manually, a laborious and time-consuming job. It takes about eight to twelve months for seed pods to ripen, but the seeds are worth the wait as they contain hundreds of thousands or millions of dust-fine seeds. Seeds are then sown on nutrient media under sterile conditions and remain in a special laboratory for two years after germination before returning to the nursery.

What country has the best orchids?

The South American continent is home to the greatest diversity of orchids in the world, with over 300 genera and 12, 000 species. Notable for their high orchid density per square meter, Ecuador and Colombia surpass all other countries.

Where are most commercial orchids grown?

Orchid growing has become an international business, with Florida becoming one of the top commercial producers. Orchids are now the leading potted flowering plant produced in the state, generating over $23 million in annual farmgate sales. Orchid mania has led to hundreds of orchid societies across the nation, with over 20 societies meeting monthly in South Florida alone. The American Orchid Society, headquartered in Delray Beach, has nearly 30, 000 members nationwide. Orchid shows, such as the Miami International Orchid Show, are also held throughout the year.

How are orchids grown?

Orchid roots are white, moisture-absorbing substances that require air exposure and grow on tree branches or attached to other plants. They thrive in humus-rich soil and need a good amount of light but not too much intense direct light. Orchids grow horizontally, sending out shoots along their growing medium from the original rhizome, which is the stem of a plant found underground. They grow pseudobulbs, swollen shoots that absorb moisture and store it, providing nutrients from stored water to survive long periods of drought. Orchids grow in various locations and light sources, and their needs vary depending on the species.

Is growing orchids profitable?

Orchid farming in India is a profitable business due to the high demand for these plants worldwide. They have a long shelf life and can be stored for up to two weeks without losing quality, making them ideal for long-distance transportation. Orchids are also used in various applications, such as floral arrangements, wedding decorations, and home décor. They have a high value in the international market, making them a lucrative export commodity.

There are several popular orchid varieties in India, including Cattleya Orchids, Dendrobium Orchids, Vanda Orchids, Phalaenopsis Orchids, and Oncidium Orchids. Cattleya orchids are known for their large, showy flowers, while Dendrobium orchids are known for their long-lasting blooms. Vanda orchids are valued for their vibrant colors and are often used in wedding decorations.

What country is the world’s top orchid exporter?

In 2022, orchids constituted the 3955th most traded product, with Thailand, the Netherlands, China Taipei, Malaysia, and Vietnam representing the leading exporters and importers. The most rapid growth in exports was observed in Thailand, Guatemala, Italy, China, and Latvia. The primary sources of imports were Japan, the United States, Vietnam, Italy, and China.

How do they propagate orchids commercially?

Commercial propagators utilize tissue culture propagation, which entails the development of leaves and roots measuring 2-3 inches in length from the parent plant, as well as the division of pseudobulbs and rhizomes. This latter process involves the separation of an overgrown orchid into two or more discrete plants.

Why are orchids so expensive?

Orchids are a rare and valuable commodity due to their rarity and difficulty to cultivate. Many of the most beautiful and unique varieties are extremely rare, taking years to grow and requiring special conditions. These rare and beautiful flowers are prized possessions for collectors, reflecting the time, effort, and resources spent in their creation and cultivation. The prices of these orchids reflect the unique treasures they are, making them a valuable investment.

How are orchids harvested?

Orchid flowers are typically harvested 3 to 4 days after opening to ensure proper development off the plant. Early and late in the season, individual flowers are cut from the spike as they develop, while in mid-season, the whole spike is cut. To prevent virus diseases, sterilize cutting tools or use disposable razor blades. Purchase individual flowers when fully open, and spikes when at least two flowers per spike are open. There are no formal grade standards for orchids, but quality is measured by freedom from defects.

Storage temperature can range from 0 to 12. 5ºC, with many cultivars not chill sensitive. It is recommended to leave flowers at room temperature, but avoid removing or knocking off pollinia to prevent premature death.

How do orchids grow in the forest?

Orchids are epiphytes that grow on tree trunks or branches, deriving support from the tree but not food from it. To flourish, orchids require a constant warm temperature, humid air, and ample water to facilitate the growth of roots in the hollows of tree branches and bark. The growth of orchids is slow and they are unable to withstand periods of drought or fluctuations in temperature.