Growing Dendrobium Orchids in Hawaii

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FINAL REPORT DUE: September 1999

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Project Title: Dendrobium Integrated Pest Management Education Program

Project Investigators: K. Leonhardt, K. Sewake, A. Hara, J. Uchida, E. Mersino, and W. Nishijima

Program Goal: To develop a full color comprehensive publication on dendrobium production with emphasis on integrated pest management of insects and diseases.


According to the Hawaii Agricultural Statistics Service, in 1997 Hawaii's floriculture industry totaled $68.2 million dollars. Of that total, dendrobium sales contributed $9.7 million dollars, a 11 percent increase from the year prior.

YEAR INDUSTRY SALES DENDROBIUM SALES
1993 69.5 MILLION DOLLARS 8.5 MILLION DOLLARS
1994 67.0 MILLION DOLLARS 7.7 MILLION DOLLARS
1995 68.2 MILLION DOLLARS 8.2 MILLION DOLLARS
1996 68.9 MILLION DOLLARS 8.7 MILLION DOLLARS
1997 68.2 MILLION DOLLARS 9.6 MILLION DOLLARS

Dendrobium production has steadily increased with the influx of new farms being developed and with established farms that have increased in acreage. Production area for dendrobiums increased 12 percent in 1997 compared to the year prior. Furthermore, areas replanted in the last two years are beginning to reach peak production and should continue to increase the industry's volume. These trends indicate a strong and growing industry in Hawaii.

Dendrobium growers have many production problems due to insect pest and diseases that decrease profitability. While information on control of many insects and diseases affecting dendrobiums do exist, the problem in technology transfer are: 1) pertinent information is not readily accessible from a single source, 2) information may not be published in a grower tailored format and 3) the information may not include specific recommendations that growers can readily adopt into practice. Therefore, this project will attempt to bridge the gap in technology transfer using a comprehensive publication written specifically for use by dendrobium growers.

With the statewide operating budget constraints, UH extension faculty needs additional assistance in meeting their clientele's needs. The publication of the dendrobium production manual which emphasize industry priorities will provide growers with timely research based crop recommendations and increase their awareness of integrated pest management practices.

To obtain a copy of this publication, contact the CTAHR Publications and Information Office.


More Information on Dendrobium Production