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Dendrobium Orchids
A m anual for smallholder production in Fiji
South Sea Orchids
Funded by CTA
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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
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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
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Dendrobium Orchids: A Manual for Small Holder Production in Fiji
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
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Dendrobium Orchids: A Manual for Small Holder Production in Fiji
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)
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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.
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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:
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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.
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Dendrobium Orchids: A Manual for Small Holder Production in Fiji
. .=.
t ,.
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