Mangaluru: Alia Orchid Care is organising an “Orchid Species and Hybrid” exhibition on February 3 and 4 from 10 AM to 7 PM at Anegundi Road, Bejai, Mangaluru.
The event will be inaugurated on February 2 at 5.30 PM by U T Khader, Minister for Food and Public Distribution. Ivan D’Souza, MLC and Chief Whip of Karnataka Government will be the chief guest and Suresh Ballal, Chairman, MUDA, will be the guest of honour.
About 100 orchid species and hybrids will be displayed at the exhibition. This programme is being conducted in order to spread awareness about orchid plants and their cultivation.
Orchids are special for their exotic look and long lasting shelf life even after being cut off from the plant. Orchids are the assets of the nation and are now getting depleted due to deforestation. The lack of awareness on differentiating parasites from ephypitic plants is a major threat. This is the main reason behind losing many ephypitic precious plants.
Alia Orchid Care was founded by Queeni Lasrado, who is a registered agriculturist from the Horticulture Department of Karnataka. She has served the horticulture department as a resource person to conduct training sessions on orchid cultivation. She has conducted many direct visits to the planters near the Western Ghats to spread awareness about the orchids.
Their voluntary mission is to protect the depleting orchid species by pollinating and sending them to tissue culture labs for germination. Their R & D was in progress with the help of St. Joseph Agriculture College till the year 2016 and now it is being continued at the Biotechnology Lab of St. Aloysius College, Mangaluru, under the guidance of Rev. Dr. Leo D’Souza.
Alia Orchid Care is the first organisation in the district of Dakshina Kannada to set up the plant quarantine station for imported plants and is also licensed to import live plants from all over the world.
During the exhibition, Queeni Lasrado will be taking the initiative to train garden lovers on how to grow orchids. The training will be conducted at 10.30 AM and 4.00 PM on both the days at the venue. The proper method of growing orchids according to Mangaluru’s temperature will be detailed in the session. Preparing organic fertiliser and organic insecticide will also be taught.
For beginners, superior tissue cultured, Thailand imported Dendrobium Hybrid Orchid (7-9 inch) small plants that are already adapted to Mangaluru temperature will be made available in pots.
