Effect of artificial light supplement in transcontinental sea cargo on the flowering of young spiking Phalaenopsis
Journal
Acta Horticulturae
Journal Volume
907
Pages
277-282
Date Issued
2011
Author(s)
Abstract
Phalaenopsis is the most important horticultural product for export in Taiwan. Since 2004, the US admitted the import of potted Phalaenopsis with moss media from Taiwan. The transcontinental shipping had changed from bare-rooted plant by air into potted plant by sea, due to the fact that transport by sea was much cheaper and the damage of potted plants was much less. If the export product were the potted orchid with flower stalk, it would reduce the cultivation period in greenhouse in the US. This meant increasing the greenhouse turnover ratio and reduce the management cost. However, the dark stress for orchids was the major restriction in the sea transport. No illumination during transport for 3-4 weeks inhibited photosynthesis, and suppressed the stalk growth and flower induction. The key technology for exporting spiking orchids was to provide the suitable light environment for maintaining the succeeding growth of the flower stalk during the shipping. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of artificial light supplement in the transcontinental sea cargo for young spiking Phalaenopsis. Two kinds of energy-saving light source, high power light-emitting diode and T5 fluorescent tube, were applied in this research. This paper presents the comparison of the effect on the spiking orchid by using these two light sources and different illumination strategy during the transport period.
Subjects
Light quality; Light-emitting diode; Orchid; Storage; Transport
Other Subjects
Bryophyta; Orchidaceae; Phalaenopsis
Type
book