Orchid Cultivation in Taiwan: Conventional and Innovative Methods

Abstract

Phalaenopsis orchids are one of the most popular potted plants of the world and are widely cultivated in greenhouses. Breeding, cloning cultivars, and improving cultivation techniques have contributed signifi-cantly to the Phalaenopsis industry both in Taiwan and abroad. This chapter uses Phalaenopsis as an exam-ple to thoroughly describe the seedling production process, including hardening-off, sorting, deflasking, potting, growth media, irrigation, and fertigation. The conventional cultivation model and techniques used in Taiwan are presented, and an accelerated two-step continuous cultivation protocol is also introduced.