AGRIANS ACADEMY, DEHRADUN

ORCHID Cultivation and

Roadside Avenue plantations
DDA (SO) Horticulture Officer exam (Notes Part – 03)

By PRADEEP YADAV
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Orchids (Dendrobium orchid) Family: Orchidaceae

Origin: Orchids are native of tropical countries and found abundantly in humid forests of South and
Central America, Mexico and India.

Floral biology: Flowers are complete. At the top of column (Stamens and Pistils are partly or completely
united which is called Gynostemium or Column) is male anther which contains packets of pollen called
pollinia.

General description: Most of them are perennial herbs. Orchids can be divided into two basic growth
types i.e. Monopodial orchids and Sympodial orchids.

Monopodial orchids (One footed): Orchids have main stem which counties to grow year after.
 They grow from a single pseudo bulbs
 They are mostly climbers
 Single stem is main characteristic
 Roots are adventitious, thick, round and photosynthetic
 Clinging to supports
 Absorbs moisture from air
 It includes Arachnis, Vanda, Renanthera, Phalaenopsis and Aerides.
Sympodial orchids (Many footed): The plant produces a series of adjacent shoots which grow to a
certain size, bloom and then stop growing and to be replaced by the next growth.
 Presence of rhizomes or modified bulbs (Pseudo-bulbs)
 Roots arise from base of rhizomes or pseudo-bulbs
 Includes Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Cattleya and Oncidium.

Important Note: In all orchids, there is a layer of spongy tissue known as “Velamen” around the true
roots. This tissue absorbs water and minerals and also preserves water.

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According to growth condition, orchids are divided into four different types:

I. Epiphytes: Air plants, which grows on trees or grow on other plants and abundant in humid
tropical rain forests up to 3000 m. It includes Dendrobium, Vanilla and Vanda.
II. Lithophytes: These are very rare and known as the he rock growers cling to the surface of rocks. It
includes Diplomeris hirsute and Geodorum.
III. Saprophytes: Those that grow in mulch, often on the forest floor OR They live on dead and
decaying organic matter and are usually found on moist forest floor. They have no green leaves but
only fleshy underground rhizome. It includes Neottia and Galeola.
IV. Terrestrials: Those which anchor themselves in soil and sand and called ground orchids. It includes
Cymbidium, Paphiopedilum and Jewel orchids.

Important orchid species

Aerides: Attractive inflorescence called Fox tail orchid. Example: Aerides multiflorum, A.adoratum.
Arachnis: Very popular cut flower. Also known as Spider orchids.
Calanthe: Prominent pseudo bulbs.
Cattleya: Produce striking flowers, large size and fragrant blooms. Discovered in 1824.
Coelogyne: Attractive flowers, free flowering and Pseudo bulbous stem.
Cymbidium: Most popular commercial orchid, Long spikes, Suitable for decoration.
Bulbophyllum: Deciduous with pseudo bulbous creeping rhizome.
Dendrobium: Second largest genus (about 1200 species) next to Bulbophyllum. It is very popular
for production of marvelous large showy flowers. They are Epiphytes.
Oncidium: Leaves are leathery, a single leaf arise on tip of small pseudo stem. Known as Dancing
girl orchid.
Paphiopedilum: also known as Ladies slipper orchid come from S-E Asia. They have spectacular
handsome flowers, mostly Terrestrial, Lithophytic and Epiphytic. They grow in low light which can
be convenient for indoor orchid.

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 Peristeria: called as Dove orchid or Holy Ghost flower. Have tall spikes with white flowers.
Phaius: Vigorous growing tall clustered stems, showy flowers in racemes. It is a genus of terrestrial
orchid (including Nun orchid).
Phalaenopsis: called Moth orchid, good for cut flower trade. It is good choice for beginners to
orchid growing because it is most commonly available and easiest to grow orchid genera.
Miltonia: It bears short pseudo bulbs with two or more narrow flexible leaves. They flowers in
single or in clusters.
Odontoglossum: They have oval pseudo-stem and Arch shape inflorescence.
Renanthera: Epiphytic, Tall growing and free flowering.
Rynchostylis: Good for hanging basket, Flowers clustered closely in dense cylindrical drooping
raceme. Their inflorescence resembles of Aerides.
Spathoglottis: Three lobed labellum, Tall and Slender inflorescence. Also known as ground orchid.
Thunia: Tall bamboo like stems bearing cluster of flower at top.
Vanda: Very popular, Monopodial, Epiphytic roots prominent and stout.

Breeding methods
a) Hybridization Very important
b) Mutation breeding
c) Polyploidy breeding
d) Biotechnology

a) Hybridization: First orchid hybrid is Calanthe dominyi (C. masuca x C. fuscata). It is the first sexa-
generic hybrid in whole plant kingdom. Some important inter-generic hybrids are:
 Ascocendra (Ascocentrum x Venda)
 Aranda (Arachnis x Vanda)
 Aeridovanda (Aerides x Vanda)
 Vandanopsis (Phalaenopsis x Vanda)

Important hybrids (varieties) are as follows –

 Cymbidium: King Arthur, Sung gold, Sparkle, Beauty fred.

 Dendrobium: Sonia 17, Sonia 28, Pravit white.
 Cattleya: Chinese beauty, Rain gold, Vertue, Glorious sunset.
 Vanda: Princess mikasa “Dark Blue”, Amphai.
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 Paphiopedilum: Harrisianum, Charles richman, Mint farm.

 Phalaenopsis: Happy valentine, Sweet valentine, Taipel gold, Autumn gold.
 Arachnis: Maggie oei.

b) Mutation breeding: Mutation induced through various mutagens like MMS, EMS, 2,4-D, Gamma
rays, X-rays, Radio isotopes. Mutant variety is Sonia 17 mutant.

c) Polyploidy breeding: Colchicines has been used effectively in including doubling of chromosomes.

d) Biotechnology: American orchid society has taken a lead in stimulating interest in protoplast
fusion research in orchid.

International ruling varieties

 Arachnis: Maggie oei
 Aranthera: James storie
 Aranda: Christine
 Ascocendra: Yip sum wah
 Vanilla: Edible orchid
 Dendrobium: Pompadour
 Dendrobium: Tomie, Spell bound, Ceasar
 Vanda: Miss joaquim
 Oncidium: Golden shower.

Uses of orchids
 In India, in the preparation of Chyavanprash, four orchids are used.
 In China, Dendrobium is used as a source of tonic, astringent, Analgesic and anti-inflammatory
substance.
 Round the World, to care Rheumatism, Malaria, TB, Cuts and Wounds and Burn injuries, Asthma
and several other ailments.
 The popular beverage called ‘Faham’ or ‘Madagascar Tea’ on the islands of Madagascar is
prepared from thee orchid Jumellea fragrans.
 Orchid Phaius tankervillicae is for making fishing nets in India.
 Orchid Rhynchostylis retusa is used to adorn young ladies hair in N-E India.
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Orchid care
Climate and Soil: Tropical orchid requires 70-80% humidity, 18-28°C temperature and light intensity of
1500-2000 foot candles in ideal. Soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral but not alkaline.

Growing media: Charcoal, Broken pieces of bricks and tiles, Coconut husk and fiber.

Nutrients: NPK @ 20:10:10 @ 0.2% at weekly intervals.

Growth regulators: GA3 @ 50 ppm at bimonthly intervals.

Note: Cypropedium and Phalaenopsis requires light intensity of only 200-300 foot candles while Vanda
and Aranda grow best under 800 foot candles.

Propagation in Orchids
 By cuttings, Aerial shoots, Seeds, Tissue culture, off-shoots and Keikis.
 Most of Sympodial orchids like Cattleya, Dendrobium and Cymbidium are propagated through
cuttings.
 Vanda, Dendrobium, Renanthera, Epidendrum and Phalaenopsis can be propagated by cuttings.
 Monopodial orchids like Ascocendra and Phalaenopsis can be propagated by Keikis and off-shoots
which emerge frequently on main stem.
 Induction of Keikis can also be induced through the use of Cytokinins which force the dormant
bud to develop into Keikis.
 Most of the Dendrobiums produce Aerial shoots or Bulbs.
 Tissue culture technique was applied to orchids in 1960. Tissue culture technique is highly
successful to get virus free plant. Both liquid and solid media are used for orchid tissue culture.

Diseases and Pests

 Various fungicides: Captan, Dithane, Agrosan and Ceresan are effective against fungal and
bacterial disease.
 Common reported insects are Thrips, Aphids, Spider mites, Soft scale, Mealy bug, Orchid weevil,
Snail and Slugs (most important in orchids among all).
 Insecticides are Parathion, Malathion, BHC, Aldrin and Dieldrin.
 Metaldehyde is very effective in killing Slugs and Snails.

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AGRIANS ACADEMY DEHRADUN 9458122169

Post-harvest handling
Pulsing treatment: 8-HQC 500 ppm + Sucrose 5% for 12 hours

Wrapping mat: 50 gauge polythene with base of spikes dipped in 8-HQC @25 ppm.

Yield: 8-10 spikes per plant per year.

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Description of Flowering Annuals, Shrubs and Plantation trees

Flowering annuals
Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in one season or one year. They attain their full growth
from seed, flower and die in one year or one season. Examples are given below:

 Bedding purpose: Dahlia, Marigold, Phlox, Verbena, Pansy, Carnation, Petunia, Zinnia, Portulaca,
Gomphrena and Gaillardia.

 Fragrant flowers: Carnations, Sweet pea.

 Cut flowers: Carnation, Aster, Helichrysum, Antirrhinum.

 Loose flowers: Marigold, Annual Chrysanthemum, Aster, Zinnia, Gaillardia.

 Hanging basket: Daisy, Nasturtium, Verbena, Phlox, Alyseum, Portulaca.

 Rock garden: Nasturtium, Verbena, Phlox and Gamolepis.

 Screening purpose: Hollyhock and Sweet pea.

 Pot purpose: Carnation, Antirrhinum, Aster, Petunia.

 Dry flowers: Helichrysum, Gomphrena.

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AGRIANS ACADEMY DEHRADUN 9458122169

Description of Annuals
Name and Family Propagation method Remarks (including flower color)
Ageratum (Floss flowers) By seeds Full blooming White blue flowers useful for
F: Compositae edging. Ageratum means “Ever young”.
Althaea rosea (Hollyhock) Seeds and Transplanting Useful for screens and borders. Flowers are of
F: Malvaceae various colors.
Amaranthus Seeds and Transplanting Foliage type spp. (A. tricolor, A. salicifolix),
F: Amaranthaceae Various color flowers.
Antirrhinum (Snap dragon) Seeds and Transplanting Useful for Bedding or Pot or Border plant.
F: Scrophulariaceae
Aster Seeds and Transplanting Grown throughout the year. Suited for
F: Compositae borders and flowers are rose like and
variegated.
Impatiens balsamina (Balsam) Seeds and Transplanting Suited for borders.
F: Balsaminaceae
Celosia spp. (Cock’s comb) By seeds Pretty annuals useful for mixed borders.
F: Amaranthaceae Various color flowers.
Chrysanthemum spp. Seeds and Suckers Hardy annual or Perennial single flowers,
F: Compositae / Asteraceae Scent spacing 1-2 feet, Well drained loamy soil
is best. Flowers are used for Puja, Garlands
and Head dress purpose. Used for mixed
borders and Pot culture.
Cosmos spp. By seeds Popular Rainy season annuals. Grown
throughout the year. Flowers are of White,
Crimson, Rose and Purple colors.
Carnation Pink Seeds and Cuttings Suited for pots. Carnation – Marguerite is the
F: Cryophyllaceae most successful in plains.
Gaillardia spp. (Blanket By seeds Single or Double flower heads. Flowers are of
flower) Red-Yellow color.
F: Compositae
Gomphrena globosa (also By seeds Suitable for beds, borders and as cut flowers.
known as Globe amaranthus Thrives well in all garden soil. Flower color:
or Bachelor’s button) Pink, Purple and Orange.
F: Amaranthaceae
Gerbera F: Compositae Suckers or by divisions Suited for beds and borders.
Helianthus spp. (Sunflower) Seeds and Cuttings Staking the plants is essential in case of tall
F: Compositae and un-branched varieties.
Helichrysum Seeds Suited for Pots and Borders, Everlasting
flowers.
Petunia F: Solanaceae Seeds For window borders and Hanging baskets.
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Phlox F: Polemoniaceae Seeds For beds and pots.
Verbena Suckers, Cutting layers Verbenas are trailing plants, annuals and
F: Verbenaceae perennials useful in shrubberies, hanging
baskets and rockeries.
Schizanthus (Poor man’s Seeds Cold season annual, Pretty foliage of green
orchid) (Butterfly orchid) color, Orchid like flowers.
F: Solanaceae
Portulaca grandiflora Seeds Trailing stem with short thick leaves. Suited as
F: Portulaceae an edge plant.
Pimpinella monoica Seeds Coriander like smell of leaves. Suited for
(Lady’s lace) medium high elevations. Small lacy white
flowers.

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Shrubs and Terminologies

Shrubs are plants with woody stems which are smaller than trees but bigger than herbaceous
plants. A typical shrub will have several stems arising from main stem at ground level itself.
They can be either evergreen or deciduous.
Shrubs are planted at the corner of the lawn in curving line.
A shrubbery is an area planted with different kinds of shrubs and a shrub border is one where only
one kind of shrub is used.
Shrubs can prevent architectural features like glass doors and windows from conducting heat
thereby keeping the overall temperature of the interiors down.
They can be trained to form standards i.e. trained to single stem and allowed to branch out and
form a handsome head only above a particular height. For example: Bougainvillea, Ixora, Murrya
exotica.

Description of Shrubs
Name and Family Flower color Remarks
Acalypha - Hedge – Screens. Best in full sun.
F: Euphorbiaceae
Acalypha hispida (Cats tail) Bright red flowers Green leaves hairy on top –
F: Euphorbiaceae slightly pale beneath.
Ardisia ummellata (Spear flower) Publish flowers Propagation by Seeds or Suckers.
F: Myrisinaceae
Bauhinia acuminata Snow white Hardy plant. Propagation by
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F: Leguminaceae Seeds.
Bauhinia tomentosa Sulphur yellow Suitable for all types of soil.
F: Leguminaceae Propagation by seeds.
Cestrum nocturnum (Lady of White (Night flower) Screening and trellis purpose.
night) F: Solanaceae Propagated by cuttings.
Clerodendron inerme White flowers Compact, Clean hedge and
F: Verbenaceae (Forest jasmine) propagated by cuttings.
Crossandra F: Acanthaceae Orange flowers Free flowering, Shrub cutting and
propagated by layering.
Hamelia patens Orange scarlet Perpetual flowering shrub.
F: Rubiaceae Requires full sun and propagated
by air layering.
Hibiscus rosachinensis Mostly red in color White, Yellow, Orange, Pink color
F: Malvaceae flowers.
Jasmine F: Rubiaceae Creamy white Hardy in nature
Jatropha F: Euphorbiaceae Red flowering Quick flowering, Semi-shade,
Propagated by cutting or air
layering.
Lantana camara F: Verbenaceae Yellow, White flowers Fruits are black and round.
Murraya exotica (Chinese box) - Used as specimen plant,
F: Ribiaceae Propagated by seeds and air
layering.
Poinsettia pulcherima (Poinsettia) Bracts crimson Propagated by cuttings
F: Euphorbiacea

Shade and Ornamental trees

Botanical name Common name Family and Remarks
Albizzia lebbeck Siris, Lebbeck tree, Vahai, Leguminaceae.
Women’s tongue tree Resistant to drought.
Alstonia scholaris Devils tree Apocyanaceae.
Produces drumstick like fruits.
Anthocephalus cadamba Kadamba (Kadam tree) Rubiaceae.
Spreading crown and Ball like flowers.
Azadirachta indica Neem, Vembu Meliaceae.
Serrated leaves and Avenue tree for
highways.
Callophyllum inophyllum Alexandrian laurel, Dilo oil tree Guttiferaceae.
Casuarina equisettifolia Beef wood, She Oak tree Casuarinaceae.
Quick growing and suitable for dry and
hot areas.

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Delbergia sissoo Sissoo tree (Shisham) Leguminaceae
Eucalyptus spp. Blue gum tree Myrtaceae.
Known as Bio-drainage tree because
draws enormous amount of water from
soil.
Ficus bengalensis Banyan Moraceae
F. benjamina Java fig tree, Golden fig Moraceae.
Evergreen tree and Ornamental tree.
F. elastica Indian rubber tree Moraceae. Attains 60 m height.
F. decipiens Fern leaved tree Sapindaceae. An ornamental tree.
Grevillea robusta Silver oak Proteaceae.
Evergreen tree with finely divided fern
like leaves whose undersurface is silvery
white.

Fruit trees for avenue

Botanical name Common name Family and Remarks
Averrhoea carambola Carambola tree Oxalidaceae.
Eugenia jambolana Jambolan Myrtaceae.
Propagated through seeds.
Mangifera indica Aam Anacardiaceae
Phyllanthus emblica Amla Euphobiaceae.
For roadside planting
Tamarandus indica Tamarind Leguminaceae.
Large tree suitable for roadside
planting.

Flowering trees
Botanical name and Family Common name Flower color
Amherstia nobilis Queen of flowering tree Yellow flowers
F: Leguminaceae
Bauhinia purpurea Purple bauhinia or Geranium tree Rosy purple or Lilac or Deep pink
F: Leguminaceae
Callistemon lanceolatus Bottle brush Crimson scarlet
F: Myrtaceae
Cassia fistula Golden shower Bright yellow flowers

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F: Leguminaceae
Erythrina indica India coral tree Scarlet red flowers
F: Leguminaceae
Delonix regia Gul mohar Orange scarlet flowers
F: leguminaceae
Jacaranda mimosifolia - Blue color
F: Bignonaceae
Lagerstromia flosreginae Pride of India Mauve colored flower
F: Lythraceae
Melia azadirach Persian lilac Lilac flowers
F: Meliaceae
Mellingtonia hortensis Indian cork tree or Tree jasmine Jasmine like fragrant flowers
F: Bignoniaceae
Parkia biglandulosa Badminton ball tree White flowers
F: Leguminaceae
Plumeria alba OR Plumeria rubra Pagoda tree or Temple tree White color flowers
F: Apocyanaceae
Spathodea campanulata Indian tulip Orange, Scarlet flowers.

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Some definitions
Arboretum: Growing of different species of trees in one place is called arboretum. The trees form the
main framework of the garden.

Shrubs: Woody or Semi-woody perennials plants, the branches of which arise from base of plant and
grow up to a height ranging from 50 cm to 4 m.

Shrubbery border: In the garden, to secure privacy and provide partition, shrubbery can be preferred.
Example: Duranta, Lawsonia etc. shrubbery border also be used as a hedge, fencing and for topiary.
Example: hibiscus, Thevatia, Casuarina etc.

Trophy: The arrangement of colorful potted plants in different tiers around a central object which may be
a tree trunk, lamp post or a pillar.

Arboretum: Growing of different species of trees in one place is called arboretum. The trees form the
main frame work of the garden. Group of trees in one place will help to give depth to the garden. They are
grown for their economic importance or aesthetic value or both.

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Ground cover: When a dicot plant is of straggling nature is used to cover the ground surface is called
ground cover. Example: Wedalia, Verbena, Ipomea, Acalypha, Portulaca.

Annual climbers: Clitpria ternatea, Sweet pea, Morning glory.

Screening climbers: Antigonon leptopus, Passiflora, Clerodendron splendens.

Climbers for low walls/trellises: Light climbers are grown. Example: Lonicera japonicum, Tecoma
jesminiodes.

Climbers for pergola: Heavy climbers are grown: Example: Qisqualis indica, Petrea volubilis, Allmanda
cathartica.

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Courses offered: IBPS – AFO, BHU/M.Sc./PG Entrance exam, NABARD, AICL, IFFCO, DDA (SO) and all other
agricultural competitive exams. (Mob. No. +91 9458122169)

Follow us on YouTube: Agrians Academy

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