🌸 Orchids and Anthurium — Commercial Production
Orchids and Anthurium — Commercial Production.
Orchids and anthurium are premium tropical ornamentals with strong commercial potential under protected cultivation, especially when propagation quality and post-harvest handling are managed precisely.
Orchids
Introduction
Orchids belong to the family Orchidaceae, one of the largest families of flowering plants with over 25,000 species worldwide. India has approximately 1,300 native species found mainly in the North-Eastern states and Western Ghats. Orchids are premium cut flowers and pot plants in the international market.
Commercially Important Genera
| Genus | Features | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Dendrobium | Sprays of small flowers; diverse colours | Cut flowers (most popular in India) |
| Phalaenopsis | Moth orchid; long-lasting; white, pink, purple | Pot plants, cut flowers |
| Cymbidium | Large waxy flowers; cool-climate | Cut flowers (temperate highlands) |
| Vanda | Flat-faced flowers; vibrant colours | Cut flowers, lei making |
| Oncidium | Dancing lady orchid; yellow sprays | Cut flowers, bouquet filler |
| Cattleya | Large, fragrant flowers | Corsages, pot plants |
Production Technology
- Growing medium: Charcoal pieces, brick pieces, coconut husk, tree fern fibre — NOT soil
- Containers: Plastic pots or wooden baskets with drainage holes
- Temperature: 18-30°C for tropical orchids; 10-20°C for cool-growing types
- Light: 50-70% shade; 15,000-30,000 lux
- Humidity: 60-80% relative humidity
- Ventilation: Good air movement to prevent fungal diseases
- Fertilizers: N:P:K at 30:10:10 during vegetative growth; 10:30:20 during flowering; foliar application at weekly intervals
- Irrigation: 2-3 times per week; reduce during cooler months; avoid wetting leaves
Propagation
- Division of pseudobulbs (Dendrobium, Cymbidium)
- Keikis (aerial plantlets) in Dendrobium
- Tissue culture (Meristem culture) — Standard for mass multiplication of uniform plants
- Seed culture — Asymbiotic germination on nutrient media
Harvesting
- Cut when 50-75% of florets on the spike are open
- Vase life: 10-21 days depending on genus
- Pack in moisture-retentive wrapping for transport
Summary Cheat Sheet
| Crop Group | Must-Remember Point |
|---|---|
| Orchids | Orchidaceae crop grown in porous media, never in normal field soil |
| Anthurium | Spathe-spadix crop requiring high humidity and filtered light |
| Propagation | Tissue culture is the backbone of uniform commercial planting stock |
| Marketing | High value depends on grading, careful packing, and cold chain |
Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum)
Introduction
Anthurium is a tropical ornamental plant belonging to the family Araceae. It is grown commercially for its attractive spathe (modified leaf) and spadix. It is popularly called "Flamingo Flower" or "Painter's Palette".
Varieties
- Red: Tropical, Midori Red, Senator
- Pink: Sumi, Pink Champion, Cheers
- White: Acropolis, White Champion, Snow
- Orange: Midori Orange, President
- Green: Pistache, Midori Green
Climate and Growing Conditions
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 20-28°C (day); 18-22°C (night) |
| Humidity | 80-90% |
| Light | 15,000-20,000 lux; 70-80% shade |
| Growing medium | Cocopeat + charcoal + brick pieces |
| pH | 5.5-6.5 |
| EC | 1.0-1.5 mS/cm |
Production Technology
- Propagation: Suckers, tissue culture, seeds (breeding)
- Spacing: 30 x 30 cm in raised beds or pots
- Structure: Shade net house (75% shade) or polyhouse
- Irrigation: Daily misting + drip; avoid waterlogging
- Fertilizers: N:P:K at 30:10:20 through fertigation; monthly Ca and Mg application
- Mulching: Coconut husk or dried leaves over beds
Harvesting and Post-Harvest
- Harvest when spadix is 50-75% mature (surface texture changes)
- Cut with 5 cm stem attached to spadix
- Vase life: 14-28 days (among the longest-lasting cut flowers)
- Store at 13-15°C (chilling sensitive below 12°C)
- Yield: 6-8 flowers per plant per year
References
2 sources • [1] [2]
References
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