Authors: T R Johnson M E Kane
Publish Date: 2007/09/09
Volume: 91, Issue: 3, Pages: 251-261
Abstract
The majority of potted flowering orchids sold in the United States are Phalaenopsis hybrids However demand for other genera will undoubtedly increase as consumers become accustomed to growing orchids in the home The objective of this study was to compare the germination and development of three Vanda hybrids a genus with mass market potential Specifically we evaluated whether hybrids with different pedigrees have significantly different culture requirements After 12 weeks culture differences in germination and development were found among the three hybrids screened Generally seeds of Vanda Motes Primrose × Ascocenda Tavivat hybrid S014 showed higher germination 820–953 than seeds of V Paki × V tessellata × V cristata hybrid S005 or V Joan Warne × V Paki × V Loke hybrid S013 when cultured on Knudson C halfstrength Murashige Skoog or PhytoTechnology Orchid Seed Sowing Medium under three photoperiods 8/16 h 12/12 h 16/12 h light/dark Protocorms of S005 and S013 did not develop beyond Stage 3 first leaf present under any of the conditions tested while S014 seeds cultured on PhytoTechnology Orchid Seed Sowing Medium developed to Stage 4 one leaf and ≥1 roots present 05–06 and 5 two leaves and ≥1 roots present 27–56 under all photoperiods tested All hybrids appeared to undergo similar early development Stages 0–3 Limited advanced development of Hybrids S005 and S013 may be due either to inadequate culture conditions or low vigor of these hybrids These data indicate that commercial production of some Vanda hybrids may be limited by slow growth and development Efforts to breed hybrids which germinate and develop rapidly may be required to improve the mass market potential of Vanda hybrids
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