Orchid Research 
The Orchid Research Section undertakes work in the hybridisation of orchids 
to produce free flowering plants and better quality blooms. Viable seeds produced 
as a result of hybridisation are sown in culture media. The resulting seedlings are 
grown to maturity and on flowering, the hybrid plants are registered and given 
new names. 
During the year, a total of 786 attempts were made at hybridisation. Out of 
these, 202 hybrids pods were harvested. Only 128 produced viable seeds which 
were cultured. 
This section also undertakes the exchange of different species and hybrids 
of orchids with various countries. A total of 406 orchid species have been received 
in exchange for 388 species from countries including Australia and Japan. Apart 
from orchid research, orchid blooms were supplied for domestic use in the 
various Ministries. 
The orchid industry has netted over $1 million for Singapore, in the export 
of cut orchid blooms to foreign countries. The most popular orchids which find 
a ready market overseas include A rachnis Maggie Oei, Aranda Wendy Scott, 
Aranthera James Storie and Oncidium Golden Shower. 
The Gardens has brought under control prevalent diseases such as those 
caused by Phytophthora palmivora on Vandas and Pectobacterium carotivorum 
on Dendrobiums and Phalaenopsis. 
The most difficult problem has been the elimination of virus attacks on the 
plants. This was partially controlled by maintaining strict phytosanitary measures. 
The number of orchid species and hybrids in the Orchid Section amounts to 
about 900. 
23 new hybrids flowered for the first time during the year. 
New orchid hybrids registered in 1971 were: — 
Dendrobium Sirima Bandaranaike 
(D. Herbert Ong x D. ostrinoglossum) 
Dendrobium Sarasvathi Giri 
(D. Harlequin x D. Noor Aishah) 
Dendrobium Mata’aho 
(D. Grace Goo x D. gouldii) 
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