Orchids - Science topic

I am currently considering a research project focusing on a comparative analysis of starch metabolism in orchids and roses. I am particularly interested in identifying the types and quantities of starch present in these flowers, especially during the flowering and fertilization processes. I hope to uncover unique characteristics of starch metabolism in these ornamental plants and compare them to the findings of some researchers'. However, I realize that this research involves a level of genetic complexity and specific research methods that I am still learning. I am eager to learn more about the appropriate approaches for studying starch metabolism in ornamental plants.

Therefore, I would be grateful if you could provide me with some advice regarding:

Suitable orchid and rose species for such a study

Effective methods for extracting and analyzing starch in flowers

Data analysis techniques.I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss this further with anyone who's professional in this field. Thank you for your time and consideration.

I am writing an article for my blog regarding orchid viruses aimed at home gardeners. It will include details of home testing kits their use and accuracy. I also want to include details about whether you have to destroy a plant with a virus. Would anyone like to do an interview with me please? You can see my website here: www.littleflower.business

Terrestrial orchids establish a relationship with fungi when germiate. Duw to their small size, they lack reserve substances and need a fungus to feed them, a relationship that can last the entire life of the orchid.

However, since most orchid species are epiphytic, are they able to start this relationship with fungi present in the surface of trees? Or does they obtain their nutrients from another source?

Through a dedicated year of research, successful outcomes were achieved with Arundina species, showcasing germination manifested by noticeable color shifts and protocorm development within a mere week. However, my current focus on Dendrobium Nobile presents a perplexing challenge. Despite meticulously replicating the treatment and maintaining consistent environmental conditions, repeated experiments have yielded no results even after a span of 10 days. It's worth noting that all variables remain constant, including the freshness of the seeds. The only noteworthy divergence is the time of sowing; whereas the earlier success occurred in September, the current attempts are unfolding in the months of July and August. Could this shift in sowing timing potentially account for the observed non-germination tendencies?

Is there any technique, method, or instrument available to simplify the counting of orchid seeds, which is currently a challenging task due to their minute spore like size and large quantity of plates, making it impossible to achieve accurate results with the naked eye or under a microscope, given the direct connection between orchid germination and seed counting?

I have a paper iam working on and want to publish.

This beautiful orchid was recently seen by a friend in the north peruvian Andes (Amazonas). Does anybody know to which family and genus it belongs ?

Respected all,

I have accomplished the distribution of orchid species in current and future climate. But I am wondering to how can i compare the similarity of the future and the current bioclimatic variables (novelty of climate) through MESS analysis. Although i have checked the MESS function while running the modal (MaxEnt).

Can any one assist me to how can i compare the climate novelty and where i can find the MESS output and how to analyze them?

Thank you in advance

Dr. Naveen Chandra

I am attempting to micro-propagate a terrestrial orchid using pseudobulb and leaf segments as explants. Since the callus was induced roughly two months ago, it has not continued to grow. What could be the cause of this and how can the issue be fixed? I would appreciate any and all helpful advice.

Thank you in advance.

Orchid seeds seems to depend upon mycorrhiza entirely for some. Only if we could isolate them and mix with seeds so that we could succesfully bring this association in much simpler form or tiny packets.

Where orchids are produced in vitro non asymbiotically and perhaps in a different country and then shipped to their new owners, how and even do they develop relationships with the endemic species of fungi?

Perhaps easier to give an example: I buy a bottle of protocorms. I put them on a mount and they go on a wall. See the photos. As mycorrhizae are soil living fungi how do they find their way to my mounted orchid or do they? Is this a point where they switch from being mycoheterotrophic?

I'm interested to do an article about this too.

I am working on tissue culture of an epiphytic orchid. The asymbiotic seed germination was screened in different basal media (MS, 1/2 MS, K-C, G-B5, Mitra, etc.) and later sub-cultured in best basal medium in combination with different PGRs (Auxins, Cytokinins, Chitosans, etc.) However, the growth of in-vitro cultures are very slow. What could be the reason for slow growth?

Dear colleagues

I would like to set up a monitoring of the population of rare geophyte orchid species in La Réunion by taking ecological and genetic variables as indicators. Do you know if such methods have already been implemented and if so do you have the refs for these studies?

All the best

Thierry

What should I do, when I see some of my orchids pics have been used in a publication without any acknowledgement or consent? And the first author of the publication is a big shot from a national organisation. At least acknowledging would have been considered courteous.

Hello everyone. I am curious whether it is possible to grow terrestrial orchids hydroponically under normal conditions, not sterile. Does anyone have such knowledge? I would wonder if Calanthe could be cultured that way after seed germination in sterile conditions. With a small scale culture system, hopefully we may be able to avoid plant viruses and promote growth.

Can anyone help me identify this Orchid?

Dear everyone. In addition to my own primary field of research, I am also engaged in research on germination of poorly germinating terrestrial orchids and their breeding as a hobby in life.I have been currently looking for seeds of Calanthe plantaginea in particular for many years. This species is growing wild in northern India, Nepal and Bhutan. If it is possible to obtain these seeds, I would appreciate any information on how to obtain them. I appreciate it.

We are going to do an RNA-seq analysis to study transcriptomes\ profile of different organs in terrestrial orchid species within genera including Dactylorhiza, Ophrys, Himantoglossum, and Orchis but their underground fleshy tubers contain high content of glucomannan (a carbohydrate which gives special rheological features to products obtained from Salep) and it's difficult to obtain a pure RNA in presence of such contaminations. Is there any special and home-developed protocol to extract a pure RNA sample suitable for RNA-seq analysis from such tissues?

Hi,

I have an Orchid Scientific Hot plate analgesia meter. The device is working nicley, butt the software is giving me trouble. anyone out there have this device who might give me some tips. i need the software to save the experiments' log

Thank you,

Khawla N

COld growing cymbidium orchids depend upon a drop in temperature to initiate bud formation and blooming.

Can gibberellic acid be used to break down this dependency on temperate drop, so blooming can be induced in hot areas too?

Hi everyone. I have a thin section of an epiphytic orchid root here and I have no clue what those purple blotches close to the bottom of the root are.

I'd highly appreciate it if there is anyone to guide me to a certain direction, to understand those cell structures.

Thanks in advance!

While working with taxonomy of Indian Orchids in past two decades, I have witnessed many merger and splitting of genera mostly as a result of phylogenetic analysis mostly based on molecular evidences. The circumscription of larger genera like Bulbophyllum, Dendrobium etc. with wider morphological variability have been expanded with merger of well established smaller genera; whereas, genera like Eria, Habenaria etc. are being splitted with many combinations. The examples are unlimited, but everywhere the logic is to make the genera monophyletic. The problem in Vandaceous genera are even more inconsistent. The question is on the perception of the authors. When we have taxonomic hierarchy like sub-genus, Section, Sub-section etc. to fit all the heterogeneity, why not use them instead of creating many small, narrower genera or merging smaller ones into bigger genera with wider circumscription.

Dear colleagues, we want to study an interesting phenomenon of the formation of complexes of nearby communities with a high proportion of rare species of orchids in them. It is clear that you need to evaluate different factors (soils, etc.), and then weigh their contribution to diversity. I would be grateful for methodological recommendations and examples of implementation in specific studies. Thank you very much in advance.

There are a few papers dealing with the effects of climate change on the pollination of European orchids, but I wonder if similar studies have been carried out in the Tropics.

Singh, F. 1982. Exquisite orichids from Western Ghats (India) – Aerides crispum. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 51: 937–939.

kindly share the pdf file. thank you.

What is the most recommended application for the identification of plants, especially for the Andean area and for orchids? What are your experiences with Plantsnap, PictureThis, Plantnet or others ? Are they improving with time?

Many books have been published containing pictures and measurements and nomenclatures for orchids. Looking at those pictures is something that confuse a lot getting you crazy. You can not distinguish anything. Just looking in the same page for the same species you recognize that they are not similar at all and are totally different, and the same for different books. The same species looks different in different boos also. In addition, the names are so many that you become more confused. I t is time to solve this problem , don't you think so?

Many species of epiphytic orchids ooze droplets of honeydew along leaf undersides, new growths and inflorescences. While there are many ecological implications for this behaviour, I wonder if any of you knows a physiological explanation for this phenomenon. I guess it is a physical consequence of inner tissues of developing organs being subjected to high intern pressures, but that is just a personal guess. I would appreciate very much any contribution, especially publications that deal with this phenomenon.

Thanks,

Pedro.

Hi,

I am working on orchid pollination biology, where I have seen a sp. of Epidendroid is often visited by Crab spiders and Florivores. I got GCMS of floral tissue and nectar being secreted on labellum done, yet unable to identify, which Chemical compounds actually attract Crab-Spiders on this orchid. I read a few papers but still couldn't figure out. Please Help or share papers related to this.

I am planning to start working with mycorrhizae in orchids. There are many methods. I would like you to share your experience on the topic.

As seen in different media and articles the price of orchid varies from $20 to $6000 depending in species and the location. Orchids are normal flower as others but its price is very high comparing most of the ornamental flowers.

What might be the hidden reasons behind it??

I am looking for an alternative growth media for orchid root Ceratobasidium. I have several strains that do not grow well in PD broth. I have heard of E-media but I have found only one recipe and not all the Ceratobasidium grows well in this either. I need to grow larger quantities for DNA isolation.

Currently, ​my analysis of the fungal data related to ​Vanilla species generated from Illumnia sequencing.

​I used QIIME and UCLUST in the bioinformatics analysis. After completing the bioinformatics analysis, there generated a lot of sequences and OTUs in the data.

​​My colleague suggested that I use an R package called phyloseq to create a phyloseq object to begin my analysis. I used another R package as well, called decontam to detect contamination and supposedly remove them out of the data.​ 

​I potentially have identified 755 OTUs as fungal sequence signals. I was wondering that if you have through your works encountered or used a method to filter out the "noise" in the data. I.e. have you ever set up an abundance threshold for OUTs with fewer than 10 or 100 reads?

​​Have you ever encountered an instance were by looking at the OTUs that were identified as fungal sequences, how confident would you be to use this to data analysis to identify the orchid mycorrhizal fungi (OMF)?​

I was thinking of drawing a comparison between populations using regression .

As well as using a ​PCoA and NMDS for the analysis. ​Any and all tips or methodological advice you could share on how to move the data to a statistical test format​ would be greatly appreciate. ​

Thank you for your attention, time, and guidance.

I am currently working on tissue culture of orchids especially Dendrobium sps. and i am not able to overcome with the fungal contaminations. Can anyone suggest the surface sterilization technique to be followed for orchids?

Goodyera repens (L.) R. Br. is a slender creeping orchid that inhabits coniferous or, more rarely, broad-leaved woods in the shade or semi-shade of the undergrowth. It presents a wide area of distribution along temperate and boreal regions of the northern hemisphere. Although some orchid guides refer its blooming period as June to September, more detailed works dealing with specific territories indicate that the blooming times occur mainly between July and August (Flora iberica: “VII-VIII”, Flora of the U.S.S.R.: “July-August”, Flora of China: “Jul-Aug”, Flora of North America: “early Jul–early Sep”).

In 1991 we found in the Maestrazgo mountains (Eastern Iberian Range) some populations of this orchid that represented at that time the first records in the Iberian peninsula outside the Pyrenees, extending its southern limit in the peninsula by more than 200 km (FABREGAT & LÓPEZ-UDIAS 1993). Then, populations were in bloom from mid-July to mid-August. In later years, new populations have been found in this environment, and recently (SERRA et al. 2016, FABREGAT et al. 2017) new locations have been encountered in the southern limit of this Maestrazgo area. In those locations, the plants nowadays begin to bloom in mid to late June. After 25 years, this orchid seems to have advanced about a month its blooming time.

Before starting a monitoring protocol to objectively evaluate this process in our region, I would like to know if this phenomenon has been observed in some other territories, especially in the southern edge of its global distribution area.

Ok so this is an odd story but I have 2 tubes of Cypripedium acaule seeds contaminated with a bacteria that's forming a whitish film over the T839. Surprisingly, the seeds are germinating more quickly, but I should replate soon. I don't suppose T839 is the best medium if I want a good symbiotic relationship. Should I look into a sophisticated, starch heavy medium (orchid seeds can't take in starch but they like the digestion byproducts from it)? PDA? Oats medium? Something else? Open to any suggestions

Hello,

I have done a study on orchid bees in Costa Rica and was now playing around in QGIS a bit. I wanted to make buffers around the sampling points wherein the bees would probably be able to come to the baits. However, I cannot find information about their smell sensitivity, ie at what distance can they pick up the scent of the fragrance and therefore be attracted to the bait?

Does anyone know if there has been research done on this?

Hi all,

I am working with extracts of secondary metabolites of orchid species (roxburghii).

The chromatogram has many peaks that correspond to flavonoids glycosides, glycosides of hydroxycinnamic acids, carotenoids, and chlorophylls. But among them, there are several peaks with unknown spectra. Unfortunately, there are no similar spectra in our library.

Have anyone some suggestions about what kind of compound could be that?

I am looking at fungal sequence data from epiphytic orchid root tissue, and Amanitaceae is showing up as an important constituent. Does anybody know if there are epiphytic Amanitaceae, or if mycelia can grow on trees in tropical forests?

Thank you for your comments!

I'm growing orchid in tropical environment but having so much trouble and many of them die. Need your suggestion and help.

Location: Nepal

Altitude: 87 masl

We have set various in situ experiments with epiphytic orchids seeds. We put fresh orchid seeds inside nylon mesh packets (ca. 1000 seeds per packet) along with a bit of moss (to improve moisture), and then located those packets on tree branches close to mother plants. After 1 year, we retrieved the packets and open them to locate germinating seeds, but moss and lichens have grown inside of the packets, plus there is a large accumulation of detritus and dirt, so it has been very difficult to locate the seeds (only finding <5%). We don't expect mortality/decomposition rates to eliminate 95% of seeds.

We have tried the following:

1) series of washes and filters to remove bigger pieces of moss and lichens

2) washes and low centrifugation

3) centrifugation with filters

4) dilution of centrifuged materiales in several petri dishes.

We wish to use a method that wont damage the putative fungi growing in the germinating seeds / protocorms.

Thank you!

How to determine the importance value index for the epiphytic orchid?

I am making a research about the bee foraging plants. It is known that pollen contents of honey that comes from nectariferous plants reflects the botanical origin of honey. But some plants such as orchid and Anacamtis (orchidaceae) produce pollinium rather than the pollen grains that famous to all people. In my field observation i saw bees visit Orchidaceae plants & feeding on their nectar. My question is there any article or publication or a way describes how to detect honey originating from Orchidaceae which produce pollinia rather than pollen or it is not possible.

My second question Rex Sawyer in his book (honey Identification 1988) showed pollen grains of Asclepias Sp. in honey from North America. What is the intertpretation of this because asclepias produces pollinium not pollen (see its picture in https://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20p?see=I_JLL38&res=640). Is it because the pollinium rapture and releases its pollen which detected in the honey.

I am working orchid culture and want to know more about preservation techniques of live cultures in deep freezer.

The anther structure of orchids is a good study only in some of species (model).

In identification of different subfamily is présent only différence of pollinariums, but not other éléments of anther ?

How an author could add information about their affiliation to their DBLP profile?

This would be very helpful for computer scientists!

How does orchid’s anthecology affect the development of anther structure and the evolution of its function in attracting insects?

Plant pollinators - why might androceum structure of orchids be correlated with odorefic function d'anther cap?

1- By the aromatic trichoms or stomates ?

2 - by nectar of spur ?

3 - other ?

How does the development of the anther structure affect the evolution of orchids ?

- in 5 subfamily & 30000 species

anyone can advise the litrerature about methods(cytological,molecular and other ) of reserch orchid mycorriza?

Hi, I want to plant Vanilla seeds and I'm curious about their germination in soil without fungal partner and is there something I an use to substitute fungus?

I'm looking for a known positive and negative control for my current experiments. I'll be looking at the involvement of plant compounds in orchid germination, and what hormone/ compound found in orchid seed exudates may be signalling orchid mycorrhizas chemotropically. And if the orchid mycorrhizas themselves are producing plant hormones that play a role in growth towards orchid seeds.

Thank you.

Due to its cinematographic History, we know very little about vanilla medicinal properties, apart from its supposed aphrodisiac power, that just may come from its unique exotic taste. Traditional vanilla knowledge have been totally wiped off. Aztecs considered it as a way to make divine food for Gods. Montezuma, the Aztec emperor, when getting aware Quetzalcoatl God was reigning in Madrid, the world center for red color (color of the Spanish Royal family and Quetzalcoatl), decided to offer Hernan Cortez one of the most precious Aztec treasures, more than gold, a priceless orchid that gave the divine taste to all aliments. None of them knew it was only fecundated thanks to a small wasp, just available in Central America's jungles. The orchid goes on boat with other treasures and gold, heading Madrid. Just what French pirates in west Indies were waiting for. They kill all the Spaniards, take the boat, take the gold, and do care the orchid, heading to La Reunion (Indian Ocean), a French pirates' nest, where they plant the orchid, that develops fabulously, with wonderful smelly flowers but as no small Mexican wasp, no fecundation and no vanilla (pirates weren't aware of the nature of Montezuma's gift). Vanilla Orchid turns an ornament plant, until a young slave, in love with a red-hair mistress, smashes and destroys her favorite flowers, that way letting pollen meet stigma. (what a psychoanalytic tale around food!) The legends says vanilla, the fecundated stigma of a Mexican orchid, was born that way in La Réunion, Indian Ocean. Now, they grow it in French Polynesia, Madagascar and other countries. It is still hand-fecundated, as far the small wasp refuses to leave Mexico, men have to do her job. But I wonder: why Mexico, the original country of the vanilla orchid, does not produce vanilla? Did the small wasp, the only being with humans able to fecundate the orchid, yet disappeared? Whatsoever, there's enough for a very good movie, vanilla-tasting.

Dear Sir

Do you have distribution maps of the Orchids in the Czech Republic?

Best regards.

Karel Kreutz.

Lately, many plant species are changing from species, genera, or even families due to studies in molecular makers. For example, teak and gmelina tree species were changed from Verbenaceae to Lamiaceae. The old Bombacopsis quinatum was changed first to Pachira quinata and now to Pochota fendlery. In the case of Orchids, the species of the genera Cattleya, Laelia, Schomburkia, and Sophronitis are suffering continuous changes in the classification of the various species within these genera. How sound are statistical techniques used to ensure these are real differences. What is the sampling method used?

As far as I know, the many intergeneric hybrids were successfully produced, but what about inter-tribal hybrids?

I study some species of Pholidota genus, wich have the leaves of 3 years. But it is not possible for me to see this phenomena in nature.

So, any information may be interest for our analysis.

How long grow orchid's leaves and fruits ?

Some scientists had claimed that Delforege had exaggerated in his new classification for orchids  in his book Orchids of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East , 4th edition, making it more complicated. What do you think about this. Do you consider it more clear than other  classifications or a complicated and not practical? 

I consider it EXELLENT.

As in situ conservation alone is not sufficient in conserving the orchid, substantial progress has been made in extending in vitro technology for orchid germination and propagation.

There is growing consensus that restoration through the use of clones can lead to genetic pauperization (i.e., reduction in genetic diversity). However, this is preferable to extinction.

Thus, is it true that heterogeneity could be re-established to the native habitats after a few years or several generations through natural pollination?

[source: https://books.google.com.my/books?id=zZ34w2WPqoUC&pg=PA1321&lpg=PA1321&dq=genetic+pauperization&source=bl&ots=FQe05-pqN1&sig=smHGr7EHJFDWpZMedgwLoJ2QQik&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjq48iHvvfZAhVJRY8KHeeNAvUQ6AEIKjAB#v=onepage&q=genetic%20pauperization&f=false ]

Thanks!

=============================

[UPDATE]

Thank you dear researchers. Appreciate all of the answers given.

Best regards.

Rare epiphytic orchids are host specific and growing in cluster form on individual host trees. What are the most suitable methods for sampling their population? their distribution according to several age-classes. Studies on this regard are most important to determining population growth and survival rates, to understand metapopulation dynamics, dispersal and habitat colonisation process etc.

As a part of conservation strategy, is it a recommendable step to multiply orchids selfed seeds???

Key identification of Orchidaceae family

I'm currently working on how plants can find carbon sources for their metabolism, except from photosynthesis.

I found cases of mycoheterotrophic nutrition in non-chlorophylic plants and orchids, where plants build a parasitic relashionship with mycorrhizal fungi. Could other plants, like the cultivated ones, or trees, use mycorrizal nets for carbon nutrition from time to time, even when they could realize photosynthesis ? In other words, is non-clorophylic plants way of surviving a new function they developp, or is it a "natural" way of doing for every plant that they push to the extreme ?

Another case is the one of Quercus ilex, that would establish a temporary mycoheterotrophic nutrition, in spring when the root stocks are depleted and the leaves are not grown yet. Is there any study about it ?

Thanks for your answers.

The culture is 4 months old and I have used activated charcoal (1%) and citrate (1%) to avoid browning of the PKB's and Seedlings.

I am trying to extract RNA from the pseudo bulb part of a medicinal terrestrial orchid. although I got high quality RNA from leaf but while trying so from the pseudoibulb or rhizome I am facing huge issues. I have tried qiagen extraction kit and other modified CTAB based extraction modules. However I failed to extract good quality RNA for NGS. It will be of great help if you can please suggest any effective protocol which can eliminate this shortfall.

Hello everyone, I isolate a fungus from phalaenopsis orchid stem which have yellow leaf symptom. After culture it on PDA medium for 1 to 2 weeks, this fungus will secret large amount of dark red pigment stain the medium. The pictures were shown at the bottom. Is there any fungus have this kind of characteristic ? Thanks.

I want to cultivate the orchids in field conditions. Do you have any research on this?

I try to isolate DNA from orchids tubers, the problem is they become kind of gelatinous because the polysaccharides.... so I want to get rid of them.

Thank you!

I am trying to reintroduce micropropagated terrestrial orchids mentioned above. Which substratum is best for growing them?

Some years ago I took a photo of this orchid in the Chilchos Valley, between the San Martin and the Amazonas department in Peru (1500 metres above sea level). Can anyone identify the Genus and Species ?

Thank you very much !

Greatings from Chachapoyas.

Stefan

Recently I took a photo of this orchid (Sobralia) in the northern Peruvian Andes (2000 metres above sea level) Can anyone identify the Species ?

Thank you very much !

 Stefan

I have found contradictory definitions of both these terms in research papers.

Recently I took a photo of this orchid in the northern Peruvian Andes (2000 metres above sea level). I think it is maybe a Phragmipedium boissierianum, but I am really not sure. Could you please help me – thank you very much.

Greatings from Chachapoyas, Peru.

Stefan

Dear expert

is this Agrostophyllum khasianum?.

Sorry cant provide any image of flower, Just in case any one familiar please share.

thanks

Dear colleagues,

Could you provide any information (publications or your own observations) on presence of geoglossoid fungi in mycorrhizal associations of any types? I`ve met a mention of its mycorrhizal state at some reviews long ago, but no references to research articles were provided.

According to our unpublished yet data Thuemenidium atropurpureum was detected in root system of Pyrola media and ascomata of Geoglossum sphagnophilum were observed in close proximity to bog orchid Hammarbya paludosa plants.

With great thanks for any help,

Elena

During my studies of pine hawk-moths (Hyloicus pinastri) feeding on greater butterfly-orchids (Platanthera chlorantha); I observed that the initiation of the probing started mainly at the lowermost part of the inflorescence, visiting the flowers systematically upwards. Most likely the lowermost flower has the largest nectar production and longest life span compared with the uppermost flowers. I remember that I have read about this particular behavior in terms of optimal foraging, but I cannot recall which paper/book. Does anyone have references for this?