Cymbidium and Cymbidium orchids, two endangered wild orchid species of Vietnam, are being preserved and propagated.

Scientists at the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources have successfully built a project on a conservation and development model for two rare orchid species in Vietnam: Cymbidium and Cymbidium.

In order to contribute to the conservation and development of endangered and rare species in particular and biodiversity conservation in general, recently, scientists at the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) have successfully researched and developed the topic: "Investigation, assessment, proposal of regulations, technical processes for conservation and construction of a conservation model, development of two endangered, precious, rare, valuable orchid species, prioritized for protection: Cymbidium and Cymbidium in Vietnam."

Project leader, Associate Professor-PhD Nguyen Van Sinh, Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, said that in Vietnam, the two orchid species above appear in the provinces of Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam and in the Central Highlands.

However, these populations in Thua Thien- Hue have become extinct. Paphiopedilum is one of the endemic orchids and lives in deep forests and high mountains of Vietnam, where the vegetation is almost intact and has not been much affected by humans.

Therefore, the investigation and research of these two orchid species is necessary, has high scientific value and practical significance in order to provide effective measures to support and conserve endangered, precious and rare species that are in danger of extinction.

Through the investigation process, scientists have added important information about the distribution area, light requirements, soil characteristics, microbial composition in the soil where the two orchid species grow and parasitic nematodes to serve the prevention and control of plant diseases in conservation work.

Cymbidium orchids have bloomed in a conservation model. (Source: Education and Times Online Newspaper).

According to Associate Professor-PhD Nguyen Van Sinh, in addition to the conservation model of the two orchid species, scientists have built a database on the biology, ecology, and current status of the two species and proposed regulations and technical processes for the conservation and development of the two orchid species.

In particular, the handbook on planting and care techniques and conservation models is the first comprehensive product set on conservation aspects of Cymbidium and Cymbidium species in Vietnam.

For the first time, two species of slipper orchids were propagated and preserved from seeds, and this was also the first time that the composition of the main groups of fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes and nematodes parasitizing the Slipper orchids was determined.

The research results of the topic have practical value contributing to the conservation and development of two rare, precious and endangered orchid species.

"With the initial successes, scientists hope to continue monitoring and developing a conservation model for the two orchid species. Accordingly, regulations on conservation and development of the two orchid species can be applied at the Department of Conservation and Biodiversity, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Other products are applied to facilities when registering to propagate and grow two orchid species," Associate Professor-PhD Nguyen Van Sinh shared.

In the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in 2020, there are up to 1,641 species of orchids, of which the Cymbidium and Cymbidium are both endangered.

In our country, Group I of the List of Endangered, Precious and Rare Forest Plants and Animals (attached to Decree 06/2019/ND-CP dated January 22, 2019) includes 22 orchid species, including Cymbidium and Cymbidium.

These two species are also on the List of endangered, precious and rare species prioritized for protection (attached to Decree 64/2019/ND-CP dated July 16, 2019).

Paphiopedilum callosum [Rchb.f.] Stein, also known as Paphiopedilum callosum, is a perennial herb that grows under the canopy of dense tropical evergreen rainforests with broadleaf trees on mountain slopes or along streams, at an altitude of 300-1,300m, scattered on humus-rich soil. The plant blooms from April to June and regenerates naturally by seed.

Paphiopedilum appletonianum [Gower] Rolfe is a perennial herb growing under the canopy of dense primary tropical evergreen mixed broadleaf and coniferous forests on granite mountains, at altitudes of 900-1,900 m, in small groups on humus-rich soils on slopes near the summit. The plant flowers from March to May, mainly regenerating naturally from seed.

Source: https://danviet.vn/lan-hai-chai-lan-hai-cuon-hai-loai-hoa-lan-rung-nguy-cap-cua-viet-nam-dang-bao-ton-nhan-giong-20241029235301832.htm