Agronomy and Development Characteristics of Some New Imported Dendrobium spp. Orchids in Phu Tho Province

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate and select new imported Dendrobium spp. Orchid varieties for Phu Tho province as well as the North of Vietnam in order to provide more choices to the orchid flower market. The experiment was conducted in spring 2015 on 9 Dendrobium varieties imported from Thailand. Each variety includes 30 plants, 3 replicates; 6-month seedlings with the height of 12-16 cm were used for the experiment. The monitoring indicators were rated on the growth development ability to flower, flower quality, and major pests. The results showed that the Dendrobium varieties imported grew and developed stably in Spring after harsh winter. The flower shoot emerged on almost the plants of all varieties, and they bloomed nearly the same time, focused in the duration of March - June. The RBT variety was grown best with its stem diameter of 10.90 (mm). Plants changed into generative stage after 90 days. There was no significant difference on flower longevity between those 9 orchid varieties in the study (24.65-25.73 days). The variety selection was based on the better growth and development characteristics, including RBT, RL, MLP and ART; BK and MS varieties were selected on the dominant flower quality; ART variety was selected regarding the number of flowers.