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The sale quantiles of
potted Phalaenopsis seem to reach the ceiling. The estimated
total qualities of this potted plants was near to 330-350 millions. That
is, Europe: 200 million, North America: 50 million, Japan: 10 million,
Taiwan and China; 45 million, other Asia countries (South Korea,
Vietnam, Singapore, etc.): 13 million, new market (Brazil, Australia,
South Africa, etc.): 12 million.
The production of potted
Phalaenopsis is still increased, especially in Taiwan. However, the
demand is reach the limitation or near to touch the ceiling. Why the
magical flowers loss their attractive? Form following questions, we may
be can find the answer. Who buy potted Phalaenopsis, When are
they buy? Why they buy?
Who buy this orchid? The
customers are the
enthusiast
of flowers. The
potted Phalaenopsis have its specific stylish, exotic and unique
shapes. Why they buy? One of the most important conditions for these
customers to buy this orchid is the longer vase life. In the normal
condition, the vase life is 1.5∼2.0
months. Why they buy? It depends on the local culture and weather.
The dry matter supplied to
flowers is the physiological characteristics for Phalaenopsis.
The leaves process the photosynthesis and accumulate the carbon and
roots absorb the nutrition and water. Then the dry matter, water and
nutrition are transported to buds to ensure the development of flowers.
If the patted
Phalaenopsis are place in the inadequate environment, which is too
high temperature or humidity, too high or too low light intensity and
water scarcely, buds cannot receive nutrients or water. The buds will
not open and loss quickly. The vase life gets short that they may be
only last one or two weeks. In other words, if the potted plant lack of
accumulation of dry matters, buds and flowers will be damaged or lost.
In Taiwan, potted
Phalaenopsis are so popular in Chinese New Year. Beautiful potter
orchids could keep the quality for two months in winter. However, hot
season begin in May or June, the potted orchids only maintained 3-4
weeks in the customer’ house. In the hot and humid summer, the vase life
usually last for only two weeks. So the sale quantity is reduced in
summer.
The same story could be
found in Europe and North American. Most of the weather conditions are
suitable for potted Phalaenopsis except in summer. In Spring and
Autumn, the natural environment is also
favorite for orchids. Good quality of orchids are maintained with mild
temperature, adequate humidity and enough sunny light. In winter, the
heating systems of builds keep the comfortable environment for people
and potted orchids. However the day temperature is too high in summer.
The other factor is the outdoor activity attract people leave their
house. So the sale quantity is minimum is summer.
From the view point of the relationship between the
vase life and environment, the development of a new market for potted
Phalaenopsis need consider very carefully. For example, the Vietnam
market
is concentrated on the Hanoi City, capital and Ho Chi Minh City.
In Hanoi City, the potted orchids are only sold in Chinese New Year. In
Ho Chi Minh City, most of the sales are in the Chinese New Year festival
and some quantiles are sold all the year round.
In Singapore, potted orchids can be sold throughout the year. In this
city, air conditions in buildings are operated for 24
hours. At night, the inside environment of build are maintained at mild
temperature and humidity. This comfortable environment is suitable to
extend the vase life. In Malaysia, like the Ho Chi Minh City, only
partial potted orchids are sold in large city. In there, potted orchids
are placed in hotels that enjoy the comfortable environment. The similar
story happens is the Arabian Peninsula. Dubai city orders a lot of
potted orchids and placed in hotels with 24h air conditioners.
A famous lesson of potted Phalaenopsis in the
flower markets for the Chinese New year happen in Shanghai. Shanghai
city is the richest city in China. However, the sale quantity of
Phalaenopsis in Chinese New Year is less than outer cities. The
actual reason is the limitation of the weather condition in this city.
No central heating system is installed in this city. One customer buy a
potted orchids placed in his house, He turns on the heater as he come
back to his house in the evening and turns off it in the morning. For
this orchid, the day time temperature is near to zero
℃
and the night temperature is ranged of 15-20℃.
If the potted orchid is placed in his office, the day temperature is OK
and the night temperature is too low. The vase life of potted
Phalaenopsis is too short in that case. That is the reason that the
sale quantity of potted orchids is pretty low in Shanghai city.
Beside temperature, stagnant air with high humidity
is the worst conditions for potted Phalaenopsis. If these potted
orchids are placed in the building in subtropics or tropic countries and
air conditioners do not operate at night, the worst microclimate of no
air movement and high humidity will damage these orchids in a short
time.
Recently, Brazil has become the next new market for
Phalaenopsis industry. Beside the personal income and the desire
of flower purchase, what is the natural weather condition of this
country? What is the schedule for their air conditioning systems in the
building? Before the development of a new market, the effects of
environment on the vase life of the potted Phalaenopsis need to
be considered. The successful story of potted Phalaenopsis in
Europe is established by several conditions. The suitable weather for
longer vase life of this orchid is a key point. The development of new
market for potted Phalaenopsis need to considered
thoughtfully.
About the author:
Professor Chiachung Chen, Ph. D.
Biosystems Engineering Laboratory
National ChungHsing University
250 KuoKuang Rd.,
Taichung, Taiwan 40227
Tel: 886-4-22857562, Fax: 886-4-22857135
Web site: http://amebse.nchu.edu.tw/orchids_cultivation.htm
Email: ccchen@dragon.nchu.edu.tw |
