Senior Project help! What should I know before growing Orchids in a green house? - Orchid Board

jax133jax · #1 06-21-2012, 02:11 AM

Hello all!
My name is Jax, Im very new to the whole Orchid growing scene, but I've always been so very intrigued by these beautiful plants. I babysat my Aunts Orchid and it stayed in bloom for 3 weeks! Must have been doing something right!

Anyway, this last year I was given a task to choose a senior project. "Something that you would want to devote a whole year of your life to study, in a very hands on manor." was the gist of the project. So I immediately thought, "well i could grow rare orchids from all over the world in a green house and see if i can sustain their health, while keeping all of them happy even though they're from different places." Now, after doing research, I've realized i should probably stick to orchids in warm to intermediate climates. They are the easiest to grow from what I've heard. I currently live in a 9B zone.

I am also very interested in cloning, and i would be very exited to do it, but i only have about a year, so i am unsure if i can clone an orchid in that amount of time... I know about the 5 ways, but a little bit of elaboration and personal experience would be helpful.

So, I figured this is where I will be able to get the most personalized advice, not some article. (although they are very helpful). So my question is... Can you guys help me decide if my project is even possible? And if so, how would i begin to go about this? I don't really know of that many exact orchid types, so what types should i choose and what i would need to do to get them to thrive in a green house environment? It would be awesome if you guys could share your knowledge with me so I can learn how to grows these wondrous plants. (:
Thank you all so very much.
-Jax

Mira-Claude · #2 06-21-2012, 04:45 AM

how many orchids are we talking about?
just curious.

Magnus A · #3 06-21-2012, 05:32 AM

Wow!
I do not grow orchids in a greenhouse but in terrariums. But I think your project plan is on the ambitious side.
Do you have a greenhouse?
Orchids as most plants have a one year growth cycle and it can take several years to learn how your environment change over the year.

If you do not have a greenhouse, may I suggest that you start with building a orchid cabinet / vivarium? Smaller investment and there are alot of information on differnt forums.

Rowangreen · #4 06-21-2012, 06:55 AM

If you are especially interested in cloning it might be worth asking any local orchid nurseries, and see if you can get to a place that does it for some experience. A year is too short a time to get an orchid from start to flowering, but there's no reason you shouldn't try and do all the parts of that on different plants.

Another idea would be to join an orchid society. Members might help you with plants that need dividing and back bulbs you can grow. If it's anything like mine you'll have no problem getting dendrobium kiekies!

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #5 06-21-2012, 04:45 PM

I can't speak about greenhouse growing as I really don't have one, but I can give you a brief overview of microprogation as I've done a little dabbling in it and have done some sort of research on it.

Cloning you may not be able to achieve successfully in one year. Sowing from seed, yes, it's possible, but with very specific kinds of orchids.

Cloning takes up too much time, research, trial and error, and resources. To put it bluntly, it may be way out of your league right now.

Sowing from seed still incurs costs, but they are not going to be as costly as cloning.

I suggest looking into the evergreen stream side Disa species. They can be sown in-vitro and germinate fairly quickly. Germination of the Disa seeds can be as quick as 2 weeks to 1.5 months. If you are fortunate enough, you will be able to obtain several deflasked seedlings within a year.

Disa species to obtain seeds of:

Disa aurata
Disa cardinalis
Disa caulescens
Disa tripetaloides
Disa uncinata
Disa uniflora

I highly recommend taking classes in sowing orchids from seed. It will give you hands on training in the basics of micropropagation in an expedient manner.

Bletilla striata is another orchid you can do a project on with micropropagation. Germination for Bletilla striata seeds grown in-vitro can be anywhere between 2 weeks to 1.5 months.

The challenge is really to obtain enough seeds...

I recommend getting at least somewhere in the order of several hundred seeds.

The next challenge is to obtain or create the correct media formulation for germinating the seeds.

When the seeds germinate and the protocorms produce their first true roots and their first leaf, then it is up to you to figure out what the proper replate media would be for your orchid type.

Bud · #6 06-21-2012, 05:50 PM

So you are going to be a senior this coming school year...and you want to devote one year to growing orchids in a greenhouse or are you being graded for this as a project from school?
I assume you have an allowance for this? a budget?
Because as a minor and on an allowance basis weekly from your parents....this could be quite expensive.
That is why it is daunting to imagine you filling up your green house with orchids from all over the world....with just from your weekly allowance.

A phalaenopsis in bloom can cost $12 to $15 at Trader Joes or Loews....I assume you wont have just one orchid....what if its a Cattleya or a Dendrobium? It might get more pricy....orchid supplies, fertilizers and accessories can add up to the bill....
and so on and so forth....
Then, after one year....what happens to the orchids and the greenhouse after you get your grade from your teacher? And then you graduate and go to College....will you bring your greenhouse and orchids with you?

jax133jax · #7 06-21-2012, 08:38 PM

Im thinking about 10 orchids.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mira-Claude

how many orchids are we talking about?
just curious.

jax133jax · #8 06-21-2012, 08:43 PM

I hear your concerns and appreciate your feedback. This is an ungraded project, so therefore it hs to be something we truly care about. I will most likley continue to grow orchids after the project. I have been contemplating this project for a few years now. If i do not continue to grow, i am a part of the Santa Clara Orchid Society and i would donate them or sell them. My project is being funded by my school, and i have a very generous budget. I also already own a HUGE green house (8'x5') i just need tips on how to grow these exotic creatures.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bud

So you are going to be a senior this coming school year...and you want to devote one year to growing orchids in a greenhouse or are you being graded for this as a project from school?
I assume you have an allowance for this? a budget?
Because as a minor and on an allowance basis weekly from your parents....this could be quite expensive.
That is why it is daunting to imagine you filling up your green house with orchids from all over the world....with just from your weekly allowance.

A phalaenopsis in bloom can cost $12 to $15 at Trader Joes or Loews....I assume you wont have just one orchid....what if its a Cattleya or a Dendrobium? It might get more pricy....orchid supplies, fertilizers and accessories can add up to the bill....
and so on and so forth....
Then, after one year....what happens to the orchids and the greenhouse after you get your grade from your teacher? And then you graduate and go to College....will you bring your greenhouse and orchids with you?

Mira-Claude · #9 06-22-2012, 12:35 AM

with only ten orchids, window growing would be possible too!
you can also try to get 10 different types of orchids, like cattleyas, dendrobium, phalaenopsis, bulbophyllum, vandas, neophinetias, paph and phrags, maxilarias, ncidium, pleurotalis, maybe a jewel orchid!
There are so many to chose from!
Just research the ones you want to see what you want to provide for them!
Good luck!

Bud · #10 06-22-2012, 01:49 AM

You are very lucky indeed....with full financial backing of your school .... with a green house .... but why with only 10 orchids?.... you will be able to manage more than that for a year and maybe get blooms from the orchids in time for your prom and graduation.
the Sta Clara Orchid Society will be a great help to you and now .... you have friends from this forum to help you grow your orchids to its full potential.
Good Luck ! More power to you and may your tribe increase.