Use of wild Orchid-root as growth medium in commercial Tree-fern cultivation in S.W. Rajasthan

摘要

Tree-ferns are among the most ancient land-plants, and evidence of their predominance in the primaeval fireplace goes back to the Carboniferous Period. Their stately trunks and fronds were once the wonder of Sikkim, Lakshadweep and other areas of India, as witnessed by the Hooker in his journal of early 19th Century travels and political bungles in the jungle. But unfortunately, many are now under severe threat due to their former use in floriculture and as toothbrushes for elephant breeding centres,or due to the young fronds being used symbolically in the more unmentionable traditional ceremonial practices and tribal ayurvedic medicinal hocus-pocus of the Goonds of Rajasthan. Thus several species are on the verge of extinction throughout most of the country, while all are protected by law. However the irresistible social desirability of having tree-ferns adorning living spaces, bathrooms, office areas and new upper-echelon private housing colonies in suburbia can now be satisfied by commercial tree-fern cultivation, which has been found to be most practically and efficaciously carried out utilising the root- and pseudobulb-masses of otherwise quite unwanted wild orchids. Commercial tree-fern cultivation utilising orchid root-mass is recommendedas a suitable way to empower local communities by reducing unemployment among youths and their unfortunate addiction to debilitating virtual flower-power games. A successful pioneer project is described here and such operations are hoped soon to be expanded nationally as a means to benefit the population and make proper use of India's natural wild resources.