Smart solutions for harnessing orchid potential

Abstract

Orchids as cut flowers and flowering pot plants are sold at a good price in flower markets world over. Orchids have a wide distribution in India, ranging from the lowlands up to an altitude of 4300 m. There are around 600-800 genera with 25,000-35,000 species and they are one of the largest families of flowering plants. Commercially valuable genera of orchids are Cymbidium, Cattleya, Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis, Vanda, Aranda, Ascocenda, Mokara, and Paphiopedilum. The rich biodiversity of the region is another advantage for the development of high quality varieties with high productivity and resistance to diseases and pests. Since the globalization of the Indian economy, the demand for orchids as cut flowers has increased manifold, which is mostly met with imported flowers from other countries.