Orchid Cultivation Research Articles

Non-mycorrhizal endophytic fungi from orchids.

Orchidaceae is one of the largest flowering plant families of the plant kingdom. The habitats of orchids are highly diverse, ranging from tree bark and damp forest floors to rock crevices, sandy dunes and semi-arid deserts. The diversity of endophytes (internal symbiotic fungi) associated with orchids is enormous. Most studies of endophytic fungi from orchids in the past have focused on mycorrhizal endophytes (internal symbiotic fungi associated with plant roots). There has, however, been an increasing trend to study nonmycorrhizal endophytes from orchids because of their physiological roles and their potential as sources of novel bioactive compounds. This review discusses the methods used in the isolation and identification of endophytic fungi from orchids, their diversity and host-specificity, their significance in orchid conservation and cultivation, and their potential application in the discovery of bioactive compounds.

DIVERSITY OF KENYAN ORCHIDS (ORCHIDACEAE) AND POTENTIAL ORNAMENTAL VALUE FOR HUMAN WELL BEING

Kenya situated along the equator is a land of diversity, with different climates and vegetation types. There are extensive savanna woodlands and grasslands and montane forests on the highlands, which support unique biota. A review was carried out to establish the Orchid species diversity in Kenya and their current use for human well being. A survey was also carried out to explore potential species for cut-flower production, opportunities for such species and challenges encountered in orchid cultivation. The review revealed that among the trees, shrubs and grasslands, Kenya is the home of 283 species of orchids belonging to 50 genera, half of which are epiphytic and half terrestrial. Of these species, 280 are preserved at the Museums of Kenya. A few face extinction due to climate change and wanton destruction of their natural habitat. The survey revealed that most are grown as hobby plants. Their benefits for human well being include aesthetic, architectural, utility and economic benefits. Some including Ansellia africana, Angraecum eburneum, Calanthea sylvatica and Eulophia horsfalii have potential for cut-flower production. Opportunities for production of such species include readily available markets overseas, good prices, growing urbanization and an expanding tourism industry. Challenges identified to impede production include expensive infrastructure and inputs, limited research, long growing period, little appreciation of value by locals, climate change and lack of support from government. The diversity is a rich source of valuable new flower products waiting to be fully developed and sold to the world. In order to fully exploit their potential for human well being, government’s interest and participation is required to compliment Kenya Orchid Society’s efforts in conservation and expanded cultivation and provide initiatives for research which is necessary to evolve essential techniques for cultivation.

CURRENT STATUS OF ORCHID PRODUCTION IN THAILAND

Thailand is a natural habitat for about 1,129 species and 178 genera of orchids. For about 100 years, orchid growing was considered a hobby for the rich, but the introduction of Dendrobium Pompadour proved to be a landmark that also brought popularity of orchid cultivation in Thailand. In 1966, only a small amount of orchid cut flowers were exported from Thailand to some European countries, but with a decade, the country attained the status of the world’s leading producer and exporter of orchids where it continues to hold the primary orchid exporter in the world. In 2012, the total Thai growing areas of production was 7,420 acres with yields of 2,403 kilograms per acre and cut-flower exports of 2.1 billion 63.6 billion US$ to 148 countries and plant export to 160 countries (17.8 million US$) where. Also in 2012, it is estimated that 46% of the orchid production were consumed locally and 54% were exported. Newly developed technology to increase the production and reduce costs, such as greenhouses, planting materials and containers, pest control, production, plant breeding, tissue culture, postharvest and packaging technology, replaced traditional growing, which imitated natural growing. These improved practices have resulted in higher yields and quality of flowers and plants, as well as reductions in production costs. Orchids will continue to dominate other ornamental crops in Thailand due to better technology know-how, suitable climatic conditions, experienced and skillful growers and exporters, as well as their nationwide popularity and the country’s pride.

Resíduos agrícolas e argila expandida no cultivo da orquídea Oncidium baueri Lindl

For orchid cultivation in containers is essential to select the right substrate, since this will influence the quality of the final product, it serve as a support for the root system of the plants. This study aimed to evaluate different agricultural residues and expanded clay in Oncidium baueri Lindl. orchid cultivation. The plants were subjected to treatments: pinus husk + carbonized rice husk, pinus husk + coffee husk, pinus husk + fibered coconut, pecan nut husk, expanded clay, fibered coconut, coffee husk, carbonized rice husk, pinus husk. After eleven months of the experiment, the following variables were evaluated: plant height; largest pseudo-bulb diameter; number of buds; shoot fresh dry matter; the longest root length; number of roots; root fresh matter; root dry matter; and electric conductivity; pH and water retention capacity of the substrates. Except the expanded clay, the other substrates showed satisfactory results in one or more traits. Standing out among these substrates pinus husk + coffee husk and pine bark + fibered coconut, which favored the most vegetative and root characteristic of the orchid. The mixture of pinus husk + coffee husk and pinus husk + fibered coconut, provided the best results in vegetative and root growth of the orchid Oncidium baueri and the expanded clay did not show favorable results in the cultivation of this species.

Meios de cultura utilizados na micropropagaçãode híbridos de orquídeas

In orchid cultivation, tissue culture has been an important and effective tool for obtaining good quality seedlings on a large scale and within a short period of time. This study aims to evaluate culture media on the in vitro growth and development of orchid hybrids. Seedlings 1-1.5 cm long, deriving from in vitro germination of seeds, were inoculated in 250 mL flasks containing 50 mL of culture medium, with salts from the media where each of them were treated. Treatments consisted of applying culture media (MS; DSD1; Knudson; B5; and WPM), combined with 5 orchid hybrids (CW1, CW2, CW3, CI e BLC). The media were added 2 g L-1 of activated charcoal and solidified with 5 g L-1 of agar, and their pH was adjusted to 5.8 ± 0.1, before autoclaving at 121°C and at 1.1 atm for 20 minutes. After sterilization of media, seedlings were inoculated in a laminar flow chamber and then kept in a growth room at the temperature of 25 ± 1ºC, with photoperiod of 16 h and irradiance of 32 ?mol.m–2.s–1. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a factorial 5 x 5 scheme, containing 6 seedlings per repetition. After 120 days, we evaluated root number, shoot number, leaf and root length, and fresh root weight. In in vitro cultivation of orchids, the media standing out are MS and DSD1 and the hybrids CI, CW1, and BLC.

Eat your orchid and have it too: a potentially new conservation formula for Chinese epiphytic medicinal orchids

About a quarter of Chinese wild orchid species are used in traditional medicine or as health food supplements. The market demand for some species, such as those in the epiphytic genus Dendrobium, has diminished many wild populations to local extinction or dangerously small numbers. Conservation of these heavily exploited orchids currently relies on a two-pronged approach: establishing nature reserves and encouraging massive commercial cultivation in artificial settings. We argue that these measures are not sufficient to restore or maintain healthy wild populations, and augmentation and reintroduction of these species in natural forests are needed. We argue for an unconventional reintroduction approach, in which populations planted in natural forests are allowed to be sustainably harvested (restoration-friendly cultivation). Because Dendrobium orchids are epiphytic, restoration-friendly cultivation of these species will not be at the expenses of other native plants. In addition, market premiums on wild-collected medicinal plants will generate incentives for farmers who participate in restoration-friendly cultivation to preserve natural forests. With proper policy and oversight, the restoration-friendly cultivation of medicinal Dendrobium orchids will facilitate the conservation of these threatened species, encourage protection of natural forests, and benefit marginalized rural communities. Adding this restoration-friendly cultivation into the current mix of conservation approaches has the potential to turn deeply-entrenched traditional uses of orchids from a conservation challenge to a conservation success.

Effects of plant size, temperature, and light intensity on flowering of Phalaenopsis hybrids in Mediterranean greenhouses.

Mediterranean greenhouses for cultivation of Phalaenopsis orchids reproduce the warm, humid, and shaded environment of tropical underbrush. Heating represents the highest production cost, due to the high thermal requirements and the long unproductive phase of juvenility, in which plants attain the critical size for flowering. Our researches aimed to investigate the effect of plant size, temperature, and light intensity, during the phase of flower induction, on flowering of modern genotypes selected for Mediterranean greenhouses. Three experiments were carried out to compare (i) plant size: reduced size versus size considered optimal for flowering (hybrids “Sogo Yukidian,” “Chain Xen Diamond,” and “Pinlong”); (ii) temperature: moderate reduction of temperature versus standard thermal regime (hybrid “Premium”); (iii) light intensity: supplemental lighting versus reference light intensity (hybrid “Premium”). The premature exposure of plants to the inductive treatment delayed the beginning of flowering and reduced the flower stem quality, in all the tested hybrids. In “Premium,” the lower temperature did not affect flowering earliness and commercial quality of flower stems compared to the standard regime, whereas it promoted stem branching. In the same hybrid, supplemental lighting anticipated flowering and promoted the emission of the second stem and the stem branching, compared to the reference light regime.

基于山核桃蒲壳兰花栽培基质配方筛选

针对淳安县废弃山核桃蒲壳资源丰富但又缺乏合适利用技术的难题，尝试将山核桃蒲壳加工用作兰花栽培基质。结果表明，不同替代比率的山核桃蒲壳基质对兰花的栽培效果均明显优于对照(纯松鳞基质)，显著增加了兰花根系和新芽生长，增加兰花叶片的长度和宽度。 With the increasing pecan plantations in Chun’an County, Zhejiang, China, there are annually great quantities of pecan shells as waste materials. In this study, we try to utilize the pecan shells as the culture medium for orchid cultivation. The results showed that through the pecan shell-based culture medium, the orchids displayed a better growth of roots and sprouts with the longer and wider leaves, compared with those grown in other culture media.

The Status and Future of Orchid Conservation in North America1

The status and trends of issues related to the conservation of orchids native to the United States, Canada, and Greenland are considered. We focus on nine of the 16 Targets of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC). The first two targets, which all other targets rely upon, appear to have been adequately achieved, in addition to Target 11. Limited progress has been made on six other GSPC targets. Three case studies of efforts to conserve the native threatened orchids, Platanthera leucophaea (Nutt.) Lindl., Isotria medeoloides (Pursh) Raf., and Tolumnia bahamensis (Nash) Braem, are presented to demonstrate the difficulties as well as the issues associated with effective conservation. We describe our efforts to establish an international program to conserve all native orchids in the United States and Canada. The North American Orchid Conservation Center (NAOCC) is an internationally focused effort that is based on public-private partnerships. The goal of NAOCC is to conserve the genetic diversity of all native orchids through efforts to develop an international collection of seeds and orchid fungi. The NAOCC also focuses on the cultivation of all native orchids in an international network of botanic gardens, and they partner with private and public landowners to develop techniques to conserve and restore all native orchid species.

Cloning and sequence analysis of orchids CymMV and ORSV CP gene isolated in northern of Vietnam

Orchids are ones of indoor decorated plants with beautiful and fragrant flowers. It is not only varied in styles, but also high economic valuable flower. However, the cultivation of orchids meets several difficulties, especially viral infection that caused reducing the productivity and quality of orchid flowers. Cymbidium mosaic virus (CymMV) and Odontoglossum ringspot tobamo virus (ORSV) are considered as viruses that cause the largest damage to orchids. In this study, we cloned and sequenced the coating protein genes (CP) of the two viruses CymMV and ORSV isolated from some provinces in northern Vietnam. These sequences were aligned out by BioEdit 7 software. The CP nucleotide sequences of the isolates were compared with those of previously published isolates in GenBank originating from different countries. The results showed the CP gene sequences of CymMV were quite diverse, in contrast, the CP genes of ORSV were very conservative. These results contributed to the study of genetic diversity of the CymMV and ORSV viruses and as a basis for selection genetic materials to create disease resistant orchids in Vietnam.

Direct detection of orchid viruses using nanorod-based fiber optic particle plasmon resonance immunosensor

A fiber optic particle plasmon resonance (FOPPR) immunosensor is developed for label-free detection of orchid viruses that use gold nanorods (AuNRs) as the sensing material. The AuNRs are employed to create a near-infrared sensing window to solve the color interference problem of sample matrix for direct sensing of target analyte. This work cannot be achieved using gold nanospheres (AuNSs) because the signal of sample color absorption largely overlaps the signal of molecular recognition events in the visible spectrum, making the signal interpretation much more difficult. The AuNRs are immobilized on the unclad fiber core surface, and functionalized by antibodies which can specifically recognize the corresponding Cymbidium mosaic virus (CymMV) or Odontoglossum ringspot virus (ORSV) for rapid viral infection diagnosis. The refractive index resolution of the AuNR-FOPPR sensor is estimated to be 8×10−6 RIU. The limits of detection (LODs) for CymMV and ORSV in leaf saps are 48 and 42pg/mL, respectively, which are better than the LODs of 1200pg/mL for both viruses obtained by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Exploiting the AuNR-FOPPR sensing strategy not only solves the color interference problem encountered by using AuNSs, but provides faster analysis, better reproducibility, and lower detection limit than ELISA. The sensor can distinguish between healthy and infected orchids in 10min, and can further provide the quantitative analysis of infection level. It is potentially applicable to the quality control of orchid cultivation industry, but not limited to this, especially for creating special spectral sensing window for particular samples.

Conservation status and strategies for the preservation of orchids in the soconusco region of southeast Mexico

Un total de 320 de orquídeas se han registrado para la región del Soconusco en el extreme sureste de México. Dado los inherentes limitantes sociales, políticos y legales, parece ser que la estratégica más productiva para preservar y restaurar poblaciones de las varias especies en peligro de extinción, endémicas y sobreexplotadas es el trabajo directo, intensivo y a largo plazo con las comunidades ubicadas dentro o cerca de los pocos puntos calientes restantes de diversidad y abundancia de orquídeas. Con los debidos permisos, se han establecido cultivos sustentables de orquídeas en varias comunidades y se continúa con investigaciones a largo plazo sobre aspectos claves de la biología y ecología de las orquídeas, la identificación de sitios de refugio y la modelación de la distribución geográfica de especies.

Ex vitro symbiotic seed germination of Spathoglottis plicata Blume on common orchid cultivation substrates

This study reports a simple and efficient method for symbiotic orchid seed germination. Seeds obtained from mature capsules of Spathoglottis plicata Blume were sown non-axenically on common orchid cultivation substrate (i.e., soil, coir dust, or peat moss) pre-inoculated with orchid mycorrhizal fungus, Epulorhiza isolate (=anamorph of Tulasnella; i.e., Da-KP-0-1 or Ps-KT-0-1). Fungal isolates and type of germination substrates were found to affect the effectiveness of this method. At seven weeks after sowing, peat moss inoculated with fungal isolate Da-KP-0-1 was the most effective in promoting seed germination and protocorm development. All other treatments with fungal inoculation yielded significantly higher germination percentages and average developmental stages of seeds/protocorms compared to control treatments. At nine weeks after sowing, protocorms with well-developed leaves and roots could be observed in all inoculation treatments but not in uninoculated controls. Since the established method does not require axenic condition during seed germination step, it should be accessible to professional growers, conservationists, and orchid amateurs alike. Additionally, a potentially antagonistic effect of Epulorhiza against Aspergillus contaminant growing from seeds was observed.

Embryo and Protoplast Isolation from <i>Barlia robertiana</i> Seeds (Orchidaceae)

In the present study, it is aimed to investigate embryo and protoplast isolation from orchid seeds, because of know-how deficiency. As material Barlia robertiana seeds were subjected enzymatic process. Globular embryos with suspensor were fully removed by enzymatic maceration for between 100-180 min of incubation. The highest obtained embryo yields were found in Rapidase EX Color and Rapidase Vino Super, with degree of 89.2-90.3 × 103·g-1 MF and 86.4-91.3 × 103·g-1 MF, respectively. According to multicomponent maceration tests, a treatment comprising 150 min of the enzymatic reaction with 0.18% (E/S) at 50℃ was the most optimal for obtaining high embryo yields. Regarding protoplast isolation tests, enzyme combinations C (1% Cellulase “Onozuca” R-10 + 0.2% Macerozyme R-10 and 0.1% Driselase) and F (1% Cellulase “Onozuka” + 1% Macerozyme + 0.5% Driselase) after 15 hours produced the best results for protoplast isolation and were significantly different compared to other enzyme combinations. Greater protoplast yields were obtained using a rotatory system with protoplasts incubated in the dark. Also the present findings were discussed from the point of view of in vitro plant manipulation and orchid cultivation in cultural media and then their importance emphasized in molecular biological/genetical studies.

European orchid cultivation – from seed to mature plant

We describe a method for growing orchids of the genera Dactylorhiza and Ophrys, two European members of the subfamily Orchidoideae, from seeds to mature plants using asymbiotic in vitro cultures and glasshouse pot cultures. Four media were used: two new media 1/4-2 and Mo2 and two modifications of Michl medium (Michl 1988). We also describe a highly efficient technique for seed disinfection using a syringe. We tested the effects of ethanol treatment on Anacmaptis morio (L) R.M. Bateman, Pridgeon & M.W. seeds, sugar media composition on Dactylorhiza majalis (Rchb.) P.F. Hunt & Summerh., Oeceoclades decaryana (H. Perrier ex Guillaumin & Manguin) Garay & Taylor and Ophrys lojaconoi P. Delforge and the effect of kinetin on Dactylorhiza majalis protocorm growth. Sucrose was the best carbon source, while hexose resulted in the inhibition of protocorm development at early stages. The addition of kinetin at 10 mg/l resulted in the formation of the largest protocorms. Ethanol can have positive effect on seed germination when applied for a short time (2 min), while long-time ethanol exposure (60 min) can kill the seeds.

Cultivo de orquídea em substratos à base de casca de café

A utilização de resíduos agrícolas como substrato é uma alternativa promissora no cultivo de orquídeas, reduzindo os custos e o acúmulo desses materiais no ambiente. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o desenvolvimento de orquídea híbrida (C. forbesii x C. labiata) x C. labiata em substratos à base de casca de café. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com seis tratamentos (xaxim desfibrado; casca de café; casca de café + coco em pó; casca de café + fibra de coco; casca de café + casca de pinus; casca de café + casca de arroz carbonizada) e dez repetições. Após 24 meses avaliou-se a altura da parte aérea; número de brotos; número de flores; diâmetro do maior pseudobulbo; comprimento da maior raiz e a matéria seca de raízes. Foi efetuada avaliação química, pH, condutividade elétrica, densidade e capacidade de retenção de água dos substratos, exceto a composição química dos substratos à base de coco. Não houve diferença significativa quanto à altura da parte aérea, ao número de flores e à matéria seca de raízes, com 33,0 cm; 1,1 e 3,5g, em média, respectivamente. Com relação à casca de café e as suas misturas, não houve diferença quanto ao comprimento da maior raiz. Quanto ao número de brotos e diâmetro do maior pseudobulbo, a mistura de casca de café com coco em pó mostrou-se superior para essas duas variáveis e a mistura de casca de café com casca de arroz carbonizada propiciou o aumento no número de brotos. A casca de café pode ser utilizada como substrato no cultivo de orquídea híbrida (C. forbesii x C. labiata) x C. labiata, especialmente em mistura com o coco em pó ou a casca de arroz carbonizada, não sendo indicada como substrato único.

Neurologie centrale : testing or not testing ?: Central neurology: testing or not testing?

This study reports a simple and efficient method for symbiotic orchid seed germination. Seeds obtained from mature capsules of Spathoglottis plicata Blume were sown non-axenically on common orchid cultivation substrate (i.e., soil, coir dust, or peat moss) pre-inoculated with orchid mycorrhizal fungus, Epulorhiza isolate (=anamorph of Tulasnella; i.e., Da-KP-0-1 or Ps-KT-0-1). Fungal isolates and type of germination substrates were found to affect the effectiveness of this method. At seven weeks after sowing, peat moss inoculated with fungal isolate Da-KP-0-1 was the most effective in promoting seed germination and protocorm development. All other treatments with fungal inoculation yielded significantly higher germination percentages and average developmental stages of seeds/protocorms compared to control treatments. At nine weeks after sowing, protocorms with well-developed leaves and roots could be observed in all inoculation treatments but not in uninoculated controls. Since the established method does not require axenic condition during seed germination step, it should be accessible to professional growers, conservationists, and orchid amateurs alike. Additionally, a potentially antagonistic effect of Epulorhiza against Aspergillus contaminant growing from seeds was observed.

Controle químico de brilhantina (Pilea microphylla) no cultivo de orquídeas

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia do oxyfluorfen no controle da brilhantina (Pilea microphylla) em cultivo de orquídeas. Foram realizados dois experimentos, no delineamento de blocos ao acaso, no esquema fatorial 2 x 7, com três repetições. Um dos experimentos foi constituído por duas espécies de orquídeas (Epidendrum ibaguensis e Dendrobium sp.) e sete doses de oxyfluorfen (0,000, 0,024, 0,072, 0,144, 0,216, 0,288 e 0,36 L ha-1 do i.a.), pulverizadas em área total, e o outro, pelas mesmas espécies e sete concentrações de oxyfluorfen (0,00000 0,00036, 0,00072, 0,00144, 0,00288, 0,00576 e 0,01152% do i.a.), aplicadas em pulverização dirigida na brilhantina, sem atingir as folhas de orquídea. Cada unidade experimental foi representada por um vaso, com uma planta de orquídea, infestado com brilhantina. Aos 15, 30 e 60 dias após a aplicação do herbicida (DAA), foram realizadas avaliações visuais de toxidez na orquídea e de controle de brilhantina, utilizando-se a escala de 0 (ausência de toxidez) a 100 (morte das plantas). Não houve interação entre fatores, espécie e dose ou concentração do herbicida nem diferença no comportamento do herbicida entre as espécies, no que se refere às características avaliadas, em nenhum dos experimentos. Não foram observados sintomas de toxidez nas plantas de orquídea em nenhum dos tratamentos avaliados. Verificou-se controle eficiente de brilhantina, acima de 90%, para as doses superiores a 0,26 e 0,25 L ha- 1, aos 30 e 60 dias DAA, respectivamente, na aplicação em área total; e nas concentrações superiores a 0,0020 e 0,0019%, aos 30 e 60 DAA, respectivamente, na aplicação dirigida. O oxyfluorfen promoveu eficiente controle de brilhantina através da pulverização em área total e dirigida, sem causar danos às plantas de orquídeas.

Seed disinfestation methods for in vitro cultivation of epiphyte orchids from Southern Brazil

Disinfestation of orchid seeds is necessary when the germination is performed in vitro. In such case, cultures are supplemented by a source of sugar and salts in order to obtain energy and other requirements. However, the presence of sugar and salts easily allows the development of unwanted microorganisms. To avoid such phenomenon, an efficient procedure must be done as a pretreatment of the seeds with liquid or gaseous substances. In this study with several Brazilian orchids, the seeds were disinfested with sodium hypochlorite solutions containing 0.4% or 0.8% active chlorine for five minutes and sodium hypochlorite or formaldehyde fumes up to two hours, this procedure being efficient for such purpose and making it possible to be used routinely.

Substrates and fertilization for the rustic cultivation of in vitro propagated native orchids in Soconusco, Chiapas

AbstractNative orchid cultivation is a compatible alternative for impoverished coffee farmers in southeastern Mexico who are in crisis due to falling prices. Sustainable orchid cultivation is also an urgent necessity as an alternative to nonsustainable extraction from protected reserves, forest fragments and traditional coffee plantations, and to restore and conserve populations within these habitats. Our objective was to test the effects of locally available substrates and fertilizers upon orchids cultivated under typical rural conditions in coffee-producing areas in Soconusco, Chiapas. Seven species of epiphytic orchids native to Soconusco region—Cattleya aurantiaca, Brassavola nodosa, Prosthechea (Encyclia) chacaoensis, Anathallis (Pleurothallis) racemiflora, Cattleya skinneri, Cycnoches ventricosumandEncyclia cordigera—were propagatedin vitro, acclimatized and established in rustic orchid galleries in the home gardens and plantations of coffee growers. Locally available waste products were used as substrates: clay tiles, tree bark, bamboo, seed hulls of pataxte (Theobroma bicolor) and wire baskets filled with bark chips. Two cheap and readily available commercial foliar feeds, Algaenzims (an organic product) and Bayfolan (a synthetic product) were tested. First, the substrates alone were tested for a period of 6 months to 1 year, then a combination of substrates and fertilizers were tested for 6 months, for effects upon leaf and root growth and root number. The mortality rates of these nonsymbiotically propagated, epiphytic orchids during the acclimatization phase, prior to these experiments, were high, between 60 and 90%. Once established in rustic galleries, the young orchid plants showed no preference for a particular substrate, survival depended upon technical problems during establishment, relating to difficulties with the attachment of plants to substrates, and the variable quality of care and attention offered by the farmers. Both fertilizers significantly improved one or all the parameters studied, and possibly counteracted the negative effects of the absence of symbiotic fungi, which, under natural conditions, are essential for orchid seed germination and adequate development of the young plant. More than half of the producers did not continue with the orchid cultures for economic and cultural reasons.