Dendrobium Orchids - Small Grower Guide

8/10/2019 Dendrobium Orchids - Small Grower Guide

1/31

Dendrobium Orchids

A m anual for smallholder production in Fiji

South Sea Orchids

Funded by CTA

%A


2/31

Dendrobium O rchids. A M anual for Sm all Holder Production in Fiji

Table on Contents

Page

Preface

Orchids

1

Types of orchids

2

A brief botany of orchids

3

Orchids in Fiji

4

Growing orchids commercially 5

Uniwai dendrobium- the plant and its capability

6

ett ing s tarted

7

Orchids ready for planting

7

Locating your shade house

8

Shade house design

8

Media and pott ing requirement

9

Planting 10

Spacing

10

Replanting 10

Repotting and dividing

1 1

Fertilizer and fertilizing

1 1

Fertiliser application 12

Detecting nutrient disorders

1 3

W ater ing requirements

1 3

The management ofpest and diseases 1 3

Cultural control practices 14

Chemical control measures

14

Control of specific pests

1 5

Diseases

1 8

Harvesting and postharvest handling

19

M arkets and m arket ing

20

Tourism sector

2 0

Local non-tourist market 2 0

Marketing arrangements

2 1

Growing orchids as a small business 2 1

Start-up cost 2 2

Production

2 2

Prices

2 3

Cash flow projections 2 3

Financing and paying off your loan

2 5

lossaryof

t e r m s

26

References

28


3/31

Dendrobium Orchids: A Manual for Small Holder Production in Fiji

Preface

We at South Sea Orchids (SSO) have a vision that Fiji can develop a world class

floriculture industry that makes a significant contribution to the livelihoods of our people.

This can be achieved because we are blessed with a climate that enables us to grow a

wide range of tropical flowers and leaves; our favourable pest and disease status

compared with other flower growing countries; a fast growing local market for

floriculture products; Fiji's strategic location with respect to overseas markets; and most

importantly the skill and motivation of our women growers.

Dendrobium orchids are the most highly prized cut flower in Fiji. Their delicate beauty,

multiple colours and long vase life mean they are highly sought after by the tourism

industry and local people alike.

We need to meet the demands of this market.

Our small project currently has some forty dendrobium orchid growers - ranging in size

from 200 to 6,000 flowering plants. SSO provides a market outlet and technical support

services for these growers.

This manual will enable us to better serve our growers. It

will be the core resource material for our workshops and provide a ready reference for the

grower's book shelf. It is hoped that our growers with greater knowledge and skill will

increase their income by producing more quality flowers and better use of inputs.

Andrew McGregor coordinated the production of this manual, with assistance from Don

Bumess. I would like to give special thanks to Emeritus Professor Yoneo Sagawa from

the University of Hawaii for his detailed comments on an earlier draft of this manual.

Our growers extend a hearty vinaka vakalevu to CTA for providing funding for the

manual.

Aileen Bumess \4,U

Project Manager

Cover

Clockwise: UHDendrobium Nellie Sugii ; Dendrobium growing at Nasau near Nadi; growers

enjoy hands- on participation at a SSO workshop

li


4/31


Orchids

l .

The orchid family

(Orchidaceae) is

the world's

largest flowering plant family. Orchids can be found

naturally in environments right across the globe - ranging

from the seashore to the high alpine zone.

However,

most of this species are found between the tropics of

Capricorn and Cancer. There are some 25,000 to 30,000

orchid species, divided into around 1,000 genera.

Dendrobium is a large genus containing over a 1,000

species, found over a wide geographical area ranging from Japan to New Zealand,

through South East Asia to India (McConnell and Cruz p, 18). In addition to the large

number of species, there are some 100,000 man made hybrids (crosses) the number of

which is continually increasing.

Types of orchids

2 .

There are broadly three different types of orchids, classified in terms of where

they grow:

Epiphytes (Air plants. Orchids that have evolved to live upon trees, taking

advantage of the aeration and light that this provides. Epiphytes obtain their

nutrients from the air and from debris and mosses collected in the tree. Most

tropical orchids are epiphytes. Thus they need to be potted in materials other than

soil and the medium should be well-drained and provide good aeration).

Dendrobiums are epiphytic and in their natural environment live on rocks and

trees.

Terrestrials (Orchids that grow on the ground in soil or leaf litter. Terrestrial

orchids are characterised by a single leafy stem which rises from one or two

underground tubers. Terrestrial orchids are more common in temperate climates)

Lithophytes (Plants that grow on mossy rocks or rock faces. Orchids that fall

somewhere between being epiphytes and terrestrials. They obtain their nutrients

in similar ways to epiphytes.)

3. Orchids can be classified into two basic growth habits: sympodial and

monopodial.

4. The typical sympodial growth habit is shown in the diagram 1 and plate 1.

A sympodial orchid has growth by lateral buds, rising from a creeping rhizome. A new

growth forms at the base of the previous year's growth, which develop during the next

growing cycle. The horizontal rhizome joins the bottom of each of the creeping stems,

with roots emanating from the rhizome. Upright stems are pseudobulbs (canes), which

store water and nutrients. Leaves and flowers emerge from new pseudobulbs. Cattleyas,

dendrobiums and oncidiums are all examples of sympodial orchids.

5. The typical monopodial growth habit is shown in the diagram 2 and plate 2.

Monopodial orchids have only one vertical stem from which new leaves and flowers are

1


5/31


borne. They have aerial roots which attach to surfaces they come in contact with.

Vandas and phalaenopsis are examples of monopodial orchids.

Dia

g

ram 1: typical sympodial growth

(source: Pacific Orchid Society of Hawaii)

2


6/31

Dendrobium Orchids.- A Manual for Small Holder Production in Fiji

A briefbotany

of orchids

An understanding of the basic botany will help you get the most out of your

orchids.

Pseudobulbs 7.

Sympodial orchids produce pseudobulbs or false bulbs (canes). These

are like shortened stems which store water and nutrients. Leaves and flowers

emerge from new pseudobulbs (diagram 1). A new pseudobulb is added each season

along a continually extending rhizome. The pseudobulb comprises fibrous material for

conserving moisture and energy. In its natural environment it enables the orchid to

survive droughts and extended dry seasons when the plant goes into a semi dormant state.

For many orchids pseudobulbs can remain in a dormant state long after leaves have been

shed. Leafless pseudobulbs are known as back bulbs. Healthy evergreen types (eg

cymbidiums and some dendrobiums) usually have most pseudobulbs in leaf. For

deciduous types (those who have a dominant period where they lose their leaves -

includes some dendrobiums) it is common to have only the leading pseudobulb in leaf.

8.

Dendrobiums tend to produce tall pseudobulb. In the case of some dendfobium

hybrids the pseudobulbs are so elongated that they are referred to as "canes". This is the

case for commercial dendrobiums grown in Fiji.

Leaves 9. The leaves of sympodial orchids are produced on pseudobulbs. The

leaves contain chlorophyll, which enables the plant to convert sunlight into

energy.

Roots

1 0 . Root systems of orchids are unique in the plant kingdom. They

consist of a thin inner core, an absorbent outer covering made up of dead cells

(the velamen) and green growing tip at the end. The velamen soaks up water through its

surface. The tips are very vulnerable and can be easily damaged and broken. The roots

attach to any surface they touch. Thus they will attach to the material that is used as the

planting medium. Orchid roots are naturally aerial and will often venture out side any

container in which they are planted. Many orchids are able to photosynthesize through

their roots as well as leaves.

1 1 . Orchid roots are not permanent structures. New roots are made annually,

sprouting from the base some time after new growth. Roots, as with orchid leaves, die

naturally and are replaced by those from new growth. If roots are killed for some reason,

they will not be replaced until the plant makes new growth. In the mean time the plant

will not be able to take up moisture and the pseudobulbs will shrivel and leaves become

limp or drop off. Sometimes the plant will die but more often it will recover once the

new growth commences.

3


7/31


2

Root rot is often because of excessive wet conditions. Often when roots die the

plant sends out small offshoots ("keikis")

so that it can vegetatively reproduce itself.

This is the telltale sign that the medium is

too wet.

Flowers 1 3. The purpose of orchid

flowers is to attract pollinators.

However, commercial orchid growers

don't want pollination to occur as this will

cause the flower to close.

14.

All orchid flowers consist of six

segments. The outer three are sepals and

the inner three are petals.

One petal, the

labellum or lip, is usually larger and more

distinctive than the other segments of the

flower. The defining feature of orchids is

the fused column that is located above the

lip.

The column is a single finger like structure that contains the reproductive parts of the

orchid. The pollen is found at the end of the column under a protective cap call the

anther. On the underside of the column is a sticky patch called the stigma where insects

deposit pollen from another bloom.

When pollination is complete the flowers ovaries

located in the column will swell into a large capsule containing the minute orchid seeds.

A pollinated flower substantially reduces the commercial value of the spray.

Orchids in Fiji

1 5 .

According to Smith there are 171 species of orchids found in Fiji - 164 are

indigenous and 51 endemic (found only in Fiji) (p,

321). All these indigenous species are covered by the

Convention of the International Trade in Endangered

Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and cannot

be shipped outside Fiji without a permit.

16.

Most of Fiji orchid species fall into the

dendrobium family (genera).

They are mainly found

in the remaining tropical rainforest. There are also

some unique species in higher altitude on the drier side

of Viti Levu where native forest has not been

destroyed.

Only a few of Fiji's indigenous orchids

have large and attractive flowers. Most have small or

miniature flowers, with some lasting for a day or less.

A number of Fiji's better known indigenous orchids

are featured in special stamp issues 1997 and 1999 (www.stampsfiji.com/orchids.htm.)

These are:

4


8/31


Dendrobium biflorum is

only found on Viti Levu and Ovalau in areas of strong

light from sea level up to 900 meters. The plants grow as

epiphytes on trees. The flowers, usually in pairs, are about

3cm across with thin and spidery, pale creamy/yellow

petals and sepals that last only one day.

D. prasinum

("primrose" flower) is one of the most

interesting endemic species. It only occurs at altitudes

from 600 to 1,150 meters. A miniature epiphyte with 4cm

white flowers with green base lip. The orchid is a

collector's item that can be purchased internationally via

tissue culture.

D. dactylodes

is only found on Viti Levu in areas from sea level to 900 meters.

This epiphyte grows in humid

forest.

Flowers last only one day

and darken in the afternoon

before closing.

Spathoglottis pacifica

is a

common terrestrial orchid often

found growing along the roadside

in wetter areas. It is found in

open forest in wet areas and in

Lau, Kadavu and the Yasawas.

The orchid is characterized by 4

or 5 pleated leaves on short pseudobulbs. The inflorescence starts from the base

of the plant and cane is up to 1.5 tall with 10 flowers. The flowers range in colour

from deep pink, mauve to almost white. Yellow and deep purple species are

imported. They can last several days when cut.

17.

Perhaps the most famous of the Fiji orchids is the

D. tokai .

This orchid, which is

indigenous to Viti Levu's wet zone, is one of the parents of the first Hawaiian hybrid

dendrobium orchid. The other parent is

D. phalaenopsis

(Cook Town Orchid) from

Queensland Australia.

18.

Numerous species of exotics (overseas) have been imported into Fiji.

Many of

these appear to grow naturally in the wild.

Growing orchids commercially in Fiji

1 9.

None of Fiji indigenous orchids are

grown commercially. There is a range of

commercial orchid types suited to Fiji's

conditions. These include hybrid

dendrobiums, cattleyas, vandas, phalaenopsis,

paphiopedilums, and oncidiums.

5


9/31


. .=.

t ,.

Date post:	02-Jun-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	stefana-ln
View:	236 times
Download:	0 times

Dendrobium Orchids - Small Grower Guide

Documents