Breeding two rare and precious orchid species

Experts from the Institute of Applied Technologies have successfully propagated two precious orchid species: Humankind (Vietnamese endemic) and Comedy Tam Dao (Indochinese endemic) by in-seeding method.

Assoc.Dang Xuyen Nhu (Photo: VNN)

This breakthrough not only contributes to the conservation of rare and precious orchid species that are in a state of depletion but also have a high economic value for the export industry of Vietnam.

Currently in Vietnam, the orchid species (P.hangianum) and Comedy Tam Dao (P.gratrixianum) are increasingly rare in nature. Therefore, the study of this orchid breeding is both a task and an obligation for Vietnamese scientists.

However, it is not easy to make the Humorous and Grouper Island seeds easy, because these two species are very difficult to breed.

As explained by Assoc. Dang Xuyen Nhu - Institute of Technology Application, the orchids are very small, about 1 to 2 mm long, 1 mm wide, contain very little or almost no nutrient reserves to facilitate the germination.

Therefore, if seeds are grown outside the test tube, ie in normal soil environment, the seeds are easily lost and difficult to grow.

Lan Hang (Photo: eorchids.org)

Through many failed attempts, but still not discouraged, the research institute of the Institute of Technology Application has also tested many different environments to find the optimal environment for each species, in order to achieve the highest germination rate.

From the results of this study, the group has developed the process of propagating two precious orchid species by method of sowing in vitro.

At the same time, they have also found a method to separate germs as an additional measure to propagate Humankind and Comedy Tam Dao. Without stopping, scientists first successfully researched the cultivation of the above seedlings in the nursery.

The aforementioned success opens up the prospect of breeding, proceeding to incubate the seedlings of the Comedy and Hummingbirds in the reserves and bring them back to nature. In addition, this is also a great opportunity for the export industry. orchids of Vietnam, because in 2003 gardeners in Taiwan exported nearly 100,000 orchids, collected about 1.1 million.

Pollinate for Tam Dao Comedy

Pollinate for Humans

The fruit of the Harmony and the Tam Dao Island are collected to remove the seeds

The Land of Humans and Comedy Tam Dao sprouted in vitro

Seedlings grow in test tubes

Seedlings are taken from the test tube to the nursery

Tam Dao is blooming naturally in October to December. They live on rocky slopes at an altitude of 900-1,100m above the sea level.

Humans bloom naturally from April to May. This species often lives on moss-covered rocks on limestone mountains at an altitude of about 450-750m in northern Vietnam.