2019 ASHS Annual Conference

Orchids represent close to 35,000 species and Guam has a perfect climate to grow many of them. Orchids on Guam are highly desired by both the local population and the 1.5 million annual visitors who expect a tropical island vegetation that includes colorful, exotic flowers. Over the last several decades, most orchids available on Guam were imported from South-East Asia or Hawaii. Propagation on a larger scale is possible only with tissue culture. Unfortunately, few people on Guam possess the knowledge and skills to grow them successfully. Without a larger pool of people acquiring advanced knowledge and ability to produce orchids efficiently, the advantage of less expensive labor in Asia would continue to impede local production by making it unprofitable. Guam Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the University of Guam aims to educate and train workers capable of sustainable production of healthy orchids in quantities sufficient to suppress the influx of foreign plants into the local floral market. In past years DOA concentrated its outreach efforts on employing workers in tissue culture laboratory and orchid nurseries. This was a significant step in training of ordinary workers but potential entrepreneurs were left out. Experience acquired over previous years strongly suggested that the key to establishment of successful and profitable orchid production is education and training of potential entrepreneurs. Many people representing all ages and walks of life desire to become a part of the floral industry and some of them have financial means to peruse their aspirations. They need an opportunity to be walked through the entire process and to gain needed understanding and basic skills. Since the tissue culture laboratory at the Guam Department of Agriculture achieved full capacity to provide needed education and training, we have targeted people who are been motivated by passion to learn rather than employment income. In October 2018, we began to offer free one to two week Orchid Grower certificate programs for small groups, mostly with two participants. Response was overwhelming. Programs run continuously and all slots have been filled six months in advance. Participants are exposed to all procedures and tasks happening in the lab and nursery and after passing a theoretical and practical proficiency exam receive a certificate. The Orchid Grower’s certificate program seems to be the most successful step toward development of orchid production that has been undertaken by our program in almost a decade.