Selection of yellow Dendrobium orchid flowers as potential cut flower hybrids

A.A. Fadelah

Abstract

The breeding programme at the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) was involved in the release of two potted Dendrobium orchid hybrids, Dendrobium Doctor Sharif and Dendrobium Tuanku Fauziah. Another two Dendrobium hybrids, Dendrobium Tuanku Najihah and Dendrobium Datin Zakiyah, were also released as potential cut flower orchid hybrids. The flower colour for all four released orchid hybrids were purple, white or a mixture of purple and white. This was due to the fact that purple is a dominant characteristic in orchid flowers. This article describes the evaluation and selection of Dendrobium orchid hybrids with yellowish green flowers, resulting in nine cross combinations. Among the evaluated population, three potential progenies, F30.9 3, F 31.9 3 and F222.9 4 have been selected. With these new selection, Dendrobium orchid hybrids with yellowish green flowers will be made available for further development of the orchid cut flower industry.

Full Text (2.56 MB)