The Dharma Wanita Association of Universitas Brawijaya (DWP UB) participates in orchid cultivation training, at DD Orchid Nursery, Dadaprejo, Junrejo District, Batu, Saturday (20/03/2021). Given that the pandemic conditions are not yet conducive, direct training by going to the field is only carried out by the core management. However, other members can watch it live through the ZOOM meeting.
The head of the organization, Sri Winarsih Nuhfil, while opening the event, said that the orchid cultivation training activity is an educational work program that is routinely carried out every year. The aim is to provide knowledge and skills for all DWP members.
“In the current pandemic era, we deliberately chose training related to plants. Because most of the activities of mothers while staying at home are caring for plants. “Said the wife of UB Rector, Prof. Nuhfil Fanani
The team’s consideration of choosing DD Orchid Nursery as a place to practice because the owner of the plantation is an alumni of the Faculty of Administrative Sciences (FIA) UB who has successfully become an international scale farmer. So that the hope is to inspire the big family of UB to be more creative and innovative.
Dedek Setia Budi, as the plantation owner and resource person, explained that the type of orchid tree is classified into two types, namely monodial (one stem) and sympodial (more than one stem). Meanwhile, based on habitat, it is divided into terrestrial (growing on the ground) and epifid (sticking to trees).
Meanwhile, the factors that need to be considered in planting orchids are temperature, humidity, light circulation, and altitude. In terms of maintenance, fertilization can be done twice a week in the morning. Meanwhile, for pest control, fungicides or pesticides can be sprayed once a week in the morning or evening when the temperature is below 27 degrees.
“The main challenge in growing orchids is determining their characteristics, which become a reference in determining their care and maintenance. For example, there are types of orchids that like to be dry so they don’t need to be watered every day. “explained that
Dedekorchid farming started from a hobby until now it has grown to foreign countries. He likes to cross various types of orchids which the results of the crosses have been registered at The Royal Horticulture Society (RHS), UK.
“In total there are 40 types, the newest ones are named Dendrobium Brawijaya University and Dendrobium Prof. Nuhfil Hanani.“Dedek said while delivering the material
” The potential to pursue the world of orchids is very wide open, because there are not many in Indonesia. Meanwhile, market demand increases every year. ” he concluded (dta)