Orchid Growing - From Hobby to Commercialisation

 

Courtesy of Orchid Society, Mauritius

 The Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Mauritius, in collaboration with the Agricultural Society of the University of Mauritius, hosted an insightful presentation on the fascinating world of orchids. Delivered by Mr. Serge L’Ecluse, President of the Mauritius Orchid Society, the talk explored cultivation of Orchids from hobbyist beginnings to commercial opportunities. This blog post summarizes the key themes and important facts shared during the session.

 

In her welcoming address, the Dean of the Faculty, Assoc. Prof. J.Govinden Soulange emphasised the following points:

• The inherent connection between scientific principles and the creative aspects of growing, specifically referencing the "art of growing" in the context of orchids.
• To bridge academic learning with practical knowledge and industry exposure."
• Talks like this are crucial in achieving the Faculty mission, providing students with valuable interactions and insights into real-world applications of their studies.
• Encourage students to "engage fully, ask questions and make the most of the experience of the speaker. The event aims to "plant seeds for the future with respect to curiosity, motivation and perhaps future career ammunitions" among the students.
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Mr Serge L'Ecluse with the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture

  

The Dean (on the left) and HoD of the Agricultural Production and Systems with Mr S.L'Ecluse

 

 

The President of the Agricultural Society (On the right)

The Role and Activities of the Mauritius Orchid Society: The speaker highlights the history, objectives, and activities of the local orchid society as a valuable resource for enthusiasts. This includes meetings, shows, educational workshops, publications, and involvement in a national botanic garden project. The society is involved in setting up an Orchid House at the National Botanic Garden in Pamplemousses, which will house collections including fragrant, exotic, and indigenous orchids. It is expected to open soon. 

Most Important Ideas and Facts

Orchid Family and Natural Habitats

• The orchid family is one of the largest flowering plant families (angiosperms), with approximately 28,000 known species in 749 genera, and new species are still being discovered.
  It is divided into five subfamilies, with the Androidae being the largest and predominantly epiphytic (growing on trees). Within this large Orchidaceae family, the speaker specifically mentions it is divided into five subfamilies. These are:

1. Apostasioideae (mentioned as very small)
2. o Vanilloideae (includes the vanilla orchid)
3. o Cypripedioideae (the slipper orchids)
4. o Orchidoideae (one of the two largest subfamilies)
5. o Epidendroideae (by far the largest subfamily, containing the vast majority of orchid species, especially epiphytes)

Geographically, different genera are concentrated in specific regions: Southeast Asia (e.g., Vandas, Dendrobiums, Phalaenopsis), Central and South America (e.g., Cattleyas, Oncidiums), and Africa and the Mascarene Islands (e.g., Angraecums, Aerangis). Understanding these natural habitats and growth habits is crucial because different orchids have evolved to thrive in specific conditions of light, humidity, and temperatureThe speaker mentioned several specific orchid genera (the taxonomic rank below subfamily and above species), such as regions or temperature zones:

• Orchids are found in diverse habitats, from dense, humid forests with low light to forest floors with good drainage and low light, mossy areas with more light, and even rocky cliffs.
• Epiphytic orchids cling to tree trunks and branches, obtaining nutrients from decaying matter and rainwater.
• Geographical distribution varies, with specific genera being prevalent in Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and the African and Mascarenes islands.
• Species refer to plants found in nature, while hybrids are mostly man-made crosses bred for improved flower quality, colour, size, plant size, and climatic adaptability. 
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  Students of the Diploma In Forestry

  
  

  

  Technical Staff of the Faculty of Agriculture

  

  Students of the Faculty of Agriculture

• Growth Habits and Basic Needs
  
  • Orchids exhibit two main growth habits: monopodial (vertical growth) and sympodial (horizontal growth). This difference influences potting needs.
  • Sympodial orchids typically have pseudobulbs for water and nutrient storage, unlike monopodial orchids.
  • Beginners are advised to seek advice from experienced growers and ensure they can provide the necessary conditions before buying an orchid.
  • Essential conditions include light, air movement, and adequate water supply.
  • Growing environments can range from shade houses and under trees to open verandas/balconies and even indoors (with careful attention to conditions).
  • Direct sunlight should be avoided.

Practical Cultivation Advice

• Start with easy-to-grow varieties and hybrids, preferably already potted.
• Common easy-to-grow genera include Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, and Oncidium.
• Different genera and even species within a genus have varying light requirements (e.g., Vanda teres needs full sun, while other Vanda species need medium light).
• Key elements for successful growing are temperature, light, humidity (atmospheric and root zone), and air movement.
• Temperature requirements vary significantly between orchid types (cool, intermediate, warm growing). The difference between day and night temperatures often triggers flowering.
• Optimum light intensity is crucial for both growth and flowering. Insufficient light leads to dark green foliage, while too much light causes yellowish or scorched leaves.
• Atmospheric humidity can be controlled by ventilation or misting. Humidity in the pot is influenced by watering and the potting medium.
• Good air movement is essential for oxygen and carbon dioxide supply, temperature regulation, and prevention of diseases and pests.
• The choice of potting medium is vital for creating the right microclimate and ensuring proper moisture retention and aeration. Various materials like tree fern fibres, pine bark, clay chips, and sphagnum moss are used.
• Watering should mimic natural rainfall patterns but adjusted to the growing environment, seasons, and climatic changes. Overwatering can be detrimental.
• Pot selection (plastic or unglazed clay, size, and shape) should consider the orchid's growth habit and root system, ensuring good drainage and air access.
• Potted orchids require regular fertilization with balanced NPK fertilizers containing trace elements. Frequency varies among growers. Some orchids need a rest period with reduced watering and fertilization.
• Orchids are susceptible to pests (e.g., soft scales, red spider mites) and diseases (e.g., nose on Vandas).

Commercial Orchid Growing

• Commercial growing requires a clear business plan, including target market (local or export), product (cut flowers or plants), and specialization (e.g., vanilla or mixed genera).
• Vanilla cultivation, while potentially lucrative due to high demand and price, requires hand pollination and is labour-intensive. Madagascar is a dominant producer.
• Constraints for commercialization include the need for suitable space with good climatic conditions, decisions on breeding/selection, potential for laboratory facilities (seed/tissue culture), year-round market supply, adapting to market changes, and competition.
• Hints for commercial development include breeding unique crosses (leveraging indigenous species) and partnering with renowned overseas producers for breeding programs, facilities, markets, and knowledge.

Taiwan's success in the orchid industry can be attributed to the following key factors mentioned:

• The industry started with dedicated amateurs and hobbyists who invested significant personal resources into developing and cross-breeding orchids during a period of economic development.
• Major Taiwanese corporations recognized the market potential of orchids and invested in starting mass production.
• They actively sought and utilized help from established players, specifically mentioning learning cultivation techniques from Dutch companies and benefiting from technology transfer.
• The move towards large-scale, efficient production allowed them to meet global demand. The example of the state-owned enterprise Taisuco with its massive, computer-controlled greenhouses highlights this focus on scale.
• A significant portion of their production (e.g., 90% for Taisuco, one-third of total world exports) is geared towards major international markets like the US, Japan, Canada, and France.
• They actively worked to surpass other major producers, like Thailand, to become the world's top producer and exporter.
• The significant role played by a large state-owned enterprise (Taisuco) suggests a strategic focus and likely support at a national level for the industry's development.
• Their expertise grew to the point where they were instrumental in helping start the modern floriculture industry in China.

Conclusion

The presentation provided a comprehensive overview of orchid growing, catering to both hobbyists and those interested in commercial ventures. Ultimately, whether pursuing orchid growing as a hobby or a business, understanding the fundamental needs of these fascinating plants is key to success. The Orchid Society of Mauritius stands as a valuable resource for knowledge sharing and fostering a passion for orchid culture.