Production of quality planting materials in orchids

L.C. De, S.S. Biswas, NS Kalaivanan, Nikhila VA, Chandan Gowda H, T. Rihne, Suman Natta and S.P. Das

Orchids are prized for their incredible diversity in the size, shape and colour and attractiveness of their flowers and high keeping qualities even up to 10 weeks. In India, it comprises 155 genera and 1256 species which grow up to an elevation of 5000m. In India, some of native genera and elite hybrids of Cymbidium, Paphiopedilum, Vanda, Arachnis and Dendrobium are cultivated on a large scale for cut flower production. Lack of quality planting materials has become a major factor for limiting commercial cultivation of various orchids. There are six main techniques used for orchid propagation: division, back bulbs, aerial cuttings, keiki, micropropagation and seed culture. Other techniques used in propagation are aerial shoots and tubers.