OFWs advised to invest in orchid production

MANILA, Philippines -  Here’s a business tip for OFWs: Invest in orchid production.

This advice comes from the Los Baños-based Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD).

In an investment brief titled “Invest in Orchid Production” published recently, PCARRD suggested that overseas Filipino workers who have saved modest sums while laboring hard in far-away lands consider production of orchid as a business venture.

“Cut flower production does not require a big area to be profitable,” pointed out PCARRD, as reported by Ricardo Argana.

A 100-square meter lot located in an area where there is plenty of sunlight, good ventilation, and an assured supply of water is enough to generate good income.

“An unused piece of land around the house can be used for this purpose. It could be a backyard lot or front yard lot of the house. Aside from beautifying the home, cut flowers can also be a source of additional income,” the report said.

The area for planting consists of seven lots measuring one meter by 10 meters each with a pathway of 0.6 meter between plots.

These can be planted with 840 top cuts placed in pots. Top cuts should be bought from a reliable source. Each plot can accommodate 60 pots planted with two top cuts.

In orchid production, one needs a few basic materials such as rubber hose, pruning shears, sprayer and chemicals, PCARRD said.

Initial investment in orchid production costs about P221,000, according to 2006 data. The main source of income from this enterprise is the sale of fresh flowers to flower shops, flower traders, wedding coordinators, and even churches.

Records show that world demand for orchid products continues to grow. In addition, demand for Vanda flowers, just like other flowers, picks up tremendously in February (month of the hearts), May (fiesta and “Santacruzan” month), June (wedding month), November (time for remembering the dead), and December (holiday season and gif-giving month).

Flowers are made into corsages and bouquets, or placed in vases as cut flowers. On the other hand, plants in twigs or driftwood are used as landscape materials.

Summing up, PCARRD pointed out that Filipinos have always been fascinated by flowering plants, particularly orchids.

Phalaenopsis (butterfly orchids), dendrobium (relative of sangumay), and Vanda (relative of waling-waling), both native and hybrid, adorn many homes and gardens.

“This is not surprising considering that there are many attractive orchids that can only be found in the Philippines,” PCARRD averred.

Orchid production, anyone?