ORCHID CULTIVATION Agri tech

ORCHID CULTIVATION

Sri Lanka is a land of diverse flora and fauna, and orchids are one of the most sought-after flowers. Orchids are known for their beauty, fragrance, and exotic appeal, making them a prized possession among flower enthusiasts. In recent years, orchid farming has emerged as a lucrative business opportunity in Sri Lanka. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the intricacies of orchid farming in Sri Lanka and  including the business plan and profiting methods.

Introduction to Orchids

Orchids are a diverse group of flowering plants that belong to the family Orchidaceae. There are over 30,000 known species of orchids under 880 genera and making it one of the largest families of flowering plants. Orchids are found in all parts of the world, from the tropics to the Arctic Circle. They are renowned for their unique and intricate flowers that come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Orchids are often used in the production of perfumes, cosmetics, and medicines due to their fragrance and therapeutic properties.

Why Choose Orchid Farming?

Orchid farming is a profitable business opportunity in Sri Lanka due to the high demand for orchids in the country and around the world. Orchids have a long shelf life and can be stored for up to two weeks without losing their quality, making them ideal for long-distance transportation. Orchids are also used in a variety of applications, such as loral arrangements, wedding decorations, and home décor, increasing their demand in the market. Additionally, orchids have a high value in the international market, making them a lucrative export commodity.

Orchid Varieties

There are several orchid varieties suitable for farming in Sri Lanka. The following are the most popular orchid varieties grown in Sri Lanka.

Cattleya Orchids: Cattleya orchids are known for their large, showy flowers and are often used in corsages and floral arrangements.

Dendrobium Orchids: Dendrobium orchids are the most commonly grown orchids and are known for their long-lasting blooms.

Vanda Orchids: Vanda orchids are highly valued for their vibrant colors and are often used in wedding decorations.

Phalaenopsis Orchids: Phalaenopsis orchids are known for their ease of cultivation and are often grown in greenhouses.

Oncidium Orchids: Oncidium orchids are known for their delicate, cascading flowers and are often used in hanging baskets.

Basic Flower Structure

1. The orchids have a highly modified petal called Labellum or Lip. The lip is of a larger size, different shape and/or colour and is used to attract insects for pollination.

2. The Labellum is always opposite the fertile anther and is usually on the downward facing end of the flower in a grown orchid.

3. The carpel section and stamen section of Orchids are fused in one column.

4. The pollen is not powdery and is held in a couple of waxy bundles on a sticky pad at the top of the column.

5. Orchids have three sepals in the outer whorl and three petals in the inner whorl. The sepals are very similar in size and appearance to the petals and hence are also called tepals.

6. Orchids are perennial herbs and do not have woody structures unlike trees or plants with woody branches and trunks.

7. They usually grow in clusters to increase the chances of pollination, but some plants of the family have single flowers too.

8. All plants of the family have extremely small seeds.

Orchid Farming Requirements

Orchids require a completely different set of growing conditions compared to traditional crops. The following are the key requirements for orchid farming:

Climate: Orchids require a warm and humid climate, with temperatures ranging from 18 to 30 degrees Celsius.

Soil: Orchids do not grow well in traditional soil and require a well-draining medium such as coconut husk, charcoal, or tree fern fibers.

Water: Orchids require regular watering, but overwatering can lead to root rot. It is recommended to water orchids once a week or when the potting medium feels dry to the touch.

Light: Orchids require bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can damage the leaves and flowers.

Fertilizer: Orchids require regular fertilization to maintain healthy growth. It is recommended to use a balanced fertilizer with a 20-20-20 ratio

Orchid Farming Business Plan

The following is a comprehensive business plan for orchid farming

Land Selection: Orchid farming requires a minimum of one acre of land, with a minimum of 5,000 orchids per acre. The land should have access to water and be situated in a warm and humid climate.

Infrastructure: Orchid farming requires a greenhouse or shade net structure to provide the required growing conditions for the plants. The structure should be equipped with irrigation systems and temperature control devices.

Planting: Orchids can be propagated through seedlings or tissue culture. Seedlings take longer to mature, while tissue culture produces identical plants in a shorter time. It is recommended to purchase tissue culture plants from a reliable supplier.

Maintenance: Orchids require regular maintenance, including watering, fertilization, and pest management. It is recommended to hire skilled labor for the maintenance of the orchids.

Harvesting: Orchids can be harvested when the flowers are fully developed. The flowers can be sold in the local market or exported to international markets.

Marketing: Orchids have a high demand in the local and international markets. It is recommended to establish a network of buyers and wholesalers to sell the produce.




Profitable Methods in Orchid Farming

Orchid farming can be a profitable business opportunity if the right techniques and methods are employed. The following are some profitable methods in orchid farming:

Diversification: Orchid farming can be combined with other crops such as vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants to increase the profitability of the farm.

Value Addition: Orchids can be used to produce value-added products such as perfumes, cosmetics, and medicines. Value-added products have a higher profit margin than the sale of fresh flowers.

International Markets: Orchids have a high value in the international market, especially in countries such as Japan, the USA, and Europe. Exporting orchids to international markets can increase the profitability of the business.

Contract Farming: Contract farming is a profitable method in orchid farming, where a contract is signed between the farmer and a buyer. The buyer provides technical assistance, inputs, and a guaranteed market for the produce.

Eco-Tourism: Orchid farms can attract tourists interested in nature and eco-tourism. Eco-tourism can generate additional income for the farm through entry fees, accommodation, and food services.

 

The Orchids of Sri Lanka and the Best Places to View Them

Sri Lanka with its unique tropical and cooler climates has over 185 identified species of orchids ranging over 78 genera. 74 species are endemic to Sri Lanka and many species found in the country are quite rare. The indigenous Foxtail Orchid (Rhynchostylis retusa) and the Vesak Orchid (Dendriobium maccarthiae) are highly popular for their beauty and rarity.

The diversity of orchids in Sri Lanka is one of the reasons that the island is named one of the top 25 bio diversity hotspots globally, while being the most species diverse in Asia when considering unit land area. All Sri Lankan Orchids fall under the protection of the Fauna & Flora Protection Ordinance.

Sri Lanka’s more common subspecies of Basic Flower Structure In addition to the wild or home grown orchids which grow in different parts of the island and are dependent on climates, there are also orchids cultivated and displayed for the public. Here are the best places to do your Orchid viewing when you vacation in Sri Lanka:

The Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya, Kandy

The Botanical Gardens covers around 145 acres of land and thousands of species both endemic to the country and non endemic. The Orchid House is especially famous for its variety of over beautiful species, both natural and hybrid. The place is a must see for plant and flower enthusiasts.

The Sinharaja Forest Reserve

The best place to find wild orchids in their natural habitats would be the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. The rainforest is quite small comparatively at only around 21km by 7km, but it is densely packed with flora and fauna of various species. Sinharaja is a globally designated hotspot for its biodiversity as well as a World Heritage Site since 1988, and a World Biosphere Reserve since 1978.

The Horton Plains National Park

The Horton Plains, Ohiya is located on a southern plateau of the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. Horton Plains also has a wonderfully diverse group of flora and fauna. These include many endemic species, quite a lot of which are endangered or threatened. The Horton Plains had over 16 endemic orchid varieties as well as as many other orchid species.

Pests and Diseases Of Orchid Plant

 

  Diseases Of Orchid Plant

🟒Quick Yellow Colouring Orchid Leaf

Basically this may happen due to lack of nitrogen and trace elements. According to this situation, nitrogen and other required elements are moving to the little leaves from maturity hence, yellow colour of maturity leaf can happen. To solve this we can use nitrogen based NPK fertilizer with leaf spraying. Another leaf yellowing and falling effect may happen due to higher water concentration of orchid roots. And chlorinated water directly damage orchid roots and generate whole yellow leaf. Sometimes this whole yellow can be seen due to the bacterial and virus effect. In this virus starting period, affected leaves should be removed and destroyed to prevent other leaves of orchid plant. 

🟒Dark Spots on Orchid Leaves 

This is also bad effect and, should be treated quickly. Dark spots can be explained according to their colour and appearance of spots on leaf.

- Backside dark spots is also recognized as fungi effects. (use suitable fungicide)

- Brown spots is also recognized as bacterial effects.

- Chloro-tic spots can be seen as yellow spiral and, that is recognized as virus effects.

🟒Animal Effect

Basically we can see insect diseases in orchid leaves. At most time in conventional methods, it is difficult to remove. Therefore we can use penthoate, abamectin or related insect killer chemicals.

 
Pests Of Orchid Plant

🟒Slugs

Even if you think you haven't got any problem with these night-time assassins, you should always be vigilant for their silvery trails, sprinkle at regular intervals with a good slug liquid, and if you feel adventurous, take a torch-light trip into the growing area after dark, a good well aimed boot is something they have not grown immune to.

🟒Weevils

When you wonder why there is suddenly a ragged  in one of your best grown leaves, or chunks missing out of its margin, or the flowers then most likely you have weevils; arm yourself with a bottle of something suitable from the garden center and follow the instructions. Its no use spraying the once, you must have strict regime of spraying every 5 days or so over a period of three weeks to eradicate most pests and their eggs as they hatch.

🟒Common Scale

There are 27 varieties of scale and two main types,

01. Soft Scale 

02. Hard Scale

  Soft Scale

Male soft scale appears grayish to white and can look similar to mealybugs.  Soft scale damages the plant by sucking sap from the plant. It also leaves behind a sticky excretion called honeydew. Hard scale does not leave this excretion. A large infestation of males will appear powdery and white. Adult females create larger scales that protect eggs. Soft scale can be found along the underside of leaves, along the stem, and even in the roots and rhizomes. Cattelyas are particularly susceptible to a type of brown soft scale called Boisduval scale. Boisduval scale often appears on the undersides of leaves along the midribs and underneath the sheaths. It occurs naturally outdoors in California and Florida, but can appear in greenhouses in any climate. 

 Hard Scale

Hard scale is rarer on orchids, but can be identified by its hard brown domes of the adult female.

                                              Treatment

For a small infestation, you can rub the scale with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab to remove them. This can be hard on the plant, so don’t do it too often or if there a large amount of scale. There is also the possibility of chilling the plant with the fast evaporating alcohol. You may want to wipe away extra alcohol from the leaf so that it doesn’t damage the leaf tissue, especially if the plant is in windy location.  If you can, move the plant away from any air currents. Another option for management suggested by the Canadian Orchid Congress, is to carefully wash the whole plant in warm water with grated soap (be sure the soap is mild and not ammonia-based, as this will cause damage to the plant). The plant must be washed every other day for a month. Then it must remain separate from other plants for two weeks to ensure no new scale appears.

🟒Mealybug

Usually appears as a cotton wool ball around leaf axils, or inside the sheaths of new shoots, the above fungicide pesticide soon sees them off, but again if its very localized, then methylated spirits on a cotton bud sees them off wonderfully.

🟒Thrips, greenfly, blackfly, spider mite

They all find a niche somewhere, the latter is another difficult customer to deal with, and in addition to spraying, it is a good idea to wipe the leaves and stems of infected plants with a methylated spirit soaked cloth, every few days if necessary to kill the eggs.

Challenges in Orchid Farming

The following are some of the challenges faced by orchid farmers 

01. High Initial Investment: 

Orchid farming requires a high initial investment, including land, infrastructure, and planting material. The initial investment can be a barrier for small farmers.

02. Technical Expertise: 

Orchid farming requires technical expertise in plant propagation, cultivation, and maintenance. The lack of technical expertise can lead to crop failure and reduced profitability.

03. Pest and Disease Management: 

Orchids are prone to pests and diseases, which can lead to crop loss. Effective pest and disease management strategies are essential for successful orchid farming.

04. Market Fluctuations: 

Orchid prices are subject to market fluctuations, which can affect the profitability of the business. Orchid farmers need to be aware of market trends and establish a network of buyers to ensure a steady income.

Conclusion

Orchid farming in Sri Lanka is a profitable business opportunity with a high demand for orchids in the local and international markets. The key requirements for orchid farming include a warm and humid climate, a well-draining medium, regular watering, bright, indirect light, and regular fertilization. Orchid farming requires a high initial investment, technical expertise, effective pest and disease management, and market awareness. Profitable methods in orchid farming include diversification, value addition, international markets, contract farming, and eco-tourism. Orchid farming has the potential to generate additional income and employment opportunities in Sri Lankan's agriculture sector.