Abstract:
Dendrobium orchids are popular flowering potted and cut flowers around the world. The
success of in vitro propagation of Dendrobium is high, but when transplanted into the
natural environmental condition (acclimatization), their survival is minimal. Therefore,
this study was aimed to develop a protocol to evaluate the effect of acclimatization
of Dendrobium after ten weeks of transplanting under the protected environment
conditions. As the first experiment, the success of the acclimatization was evaluated with
different root numbers. In the second experiment, two acclimatization media were tested
with different media compositions, common acclimatization media (M1) - sand: coir dust:
charcoal: tile pieces, alternative media (M2) - granite chips: coir dust: charcoal: tile pieces
(1:1:1:1). The direct transplanting method and non-direct transplanting method were
followed in the third experiment. Under experiment four, the number of plantlets was
changed including in a community pot and single propagators were done just after
transplanting. Four and 3.5-inch diameter clay/plastic community pots were applied to the
same plant numbers (25 plantlets per pot) in experiment five. Survival percentage and
visual appearances at weekly and height of the plantlets at two weeks intervals were
recorded in each replicate. The highest survival and height were recorded in well-rooted
plantlets (10 roots).M1, M2 both showed the same performances. The direct planting
method showed the best performances. Four-inch diameter/clay community pots with
higher amounts of plant numbers (30, 35) showed the highest survival and growth. The
propagator application was positively contributed to the height of the plantlets.
Community pots in 3.5-inch diameter were recorded the best survival and height. Plastic
community pots were the possible alternative for clay pots. In conclusion, applying the
complete protocol can be considered as a clear solution to increase the survival of tissue
cultured Dendrobium orchids at acclimatization.
Keywords: Acclimatization, Dendrobium orchids, In-vitro propagation, Survival
percentage
