The orchid varieties, no matter how unique they are, cannot be confirmed that they are “mutant orchids”. Photo: internet. Orchids, the reason for having an amazing variety of designs, colors, and fragrances today is because it is the product of genetic mutations that have been around for thousands of years. Genetic mutations include mutation mutations and recombinant mutations. Mutant mutations can be genetic mutations (loss, addition, replacement of nucleotides pair) or chromosomal mutation (fragment, repetition, inversion, transition, polyploid). The cause of mutation is natural agents such as radiation, ultraviolet rays, heat shock, herbicides … Recombinant mutations are new combinations of genes that have been rearranged in the offspring to create New and different style compared to parents, grandparents, old grandparents. This is due to the independent dissociation, the cross-exchange of the chromosomes. For orchids and other pollen plants, insects (bees, butterflies) also contribute to diversity when pollinating from one plant to another, from one variety to another. Thanks to the genetic variation that they Lan Orchidaceae becoming one of the largest family of plants in the world, with about 28,000 natural species and 100,000 hybrid species; The number of species and genera of orchids has continuously increased over time (Vietnamese Wikipedia). According to the book Vietnamese orchids of Tran Hop (1998) our country has about 137-140 genera, including over 800 species of wild orchids. However, it is impossible to confirm that a certain orchid species detected or collected in the forest was created by mutation or recombination. Adding the tail “mutant spread” is arbitrary. Photo: internet. In fact, the majority of orchids in our country are collected from natural forests or imported for farming. In the country, there is no announcement about orchids created by mutation method. Flower Research Center – Fruit and Vegetable Research Institute, the leading flower agency has started to select and create new orchid varieties by crossbreeding and mutating, but the results are also new at the beginning. Therefore, someone lucky to discover a beautiful and rare orchid variety in the forest or accidentally bought a rare orchid branch at the Buoi market – Hanoi for example, they could give it a name, but adding the tail “mutant spread” is arbitrary. The question is why a group of people intentionally added the tail “mutant spread” and massively propagated and promoted, sold millions and billions of money per eye and bud, while still not knowing how beautiful the face of the flower was. have buyers? Because, there are many people who think or try to explain that the new “mutant orchid” is beautiful, strange, unique than an orchid variety due to hybrid “recombination” or “normal orchid” … tendon “mutation” has hit on the psychology of curiosity, lightheadedness, gullibility of ignorant people. In a nutshell, a series of “mutant orchid” varieties are being propagated and widely advertised, with tens and hundreds of billions of deals is unusual, absolutely no scientific and practical basis, only can say this is a bold game “cheats”. The sensational way of calling “mutation” has hit the curious, light-hearted, gullible mentality of ignorant people. Photo: internet. Actually, the law also has provisions to limit this situation. The Law on Crop Production in 2018 requires that new varieties must be disclosed (name, origin, difference …) before being circulated in the market, however this regulation will not take effect until 2022. In addition, the Intellectual Property Law 2009 stipulates to grant protection to owners of new orchid varieties, even if new varieties are searched, discovered in the forest or collected from orchid collections, if proven. The new variety that is truly different from other orchids has been widely known to the market. However, in order for the law to come to life, apart from the State need to pay more attention to the trees that we have long considered as “secondary”, when there is a market, it becomes “main”, the flower producers and traders. True orchids need to gather, expose the tricks of doing business that are dishonest, not transparent, to build a very promising orchid industry in our country.

However, the mutant non-phytoplankton propagated by tissue culture method is surprisingly cheap.

More than 6,000 VND a mutant orchid 5 white wings Phu Tho

Recorded in forums, groups on social networks, some people are selling mutant orchids seeding and tissue transplanting.

For example, the 5 white Phu Tho, 5 white Hien Oanh mutant orchids, on the market, sell for 1.5-4 million VND / cm, these two plants are still produced by tissue culture method, which costs 160,000. -800,000 VND / bottle, depending on the number of trees.

Mr. Hai Phan, specializing in selling mutant orchids transplanting tissue in Binh Chanh district, Ho Chi Minh City, said that his shop has all kinds of mutant non-scallop orchids such as 5 white Phu Tho wings, 5 white Hien Oanh wings, 5 wings. White Peace …

In particular, the 5 white Phu Tho and 5 white Hien Oanh wings are the most popular mutant orchids on the market with a price of 160,000 VND / bottle of 20-25 trees, which is just over 6,000 VND / tree.

All samples of the baby mutant orchid plants were grown in cold rooms. Photo: Vu Cong.

“Plants, taking care of 2 years, will flower, commit to producing the right type of 5 white petals,” he said and explained that propagation by mass transplanting method should be cheap compared to the kie market. Small quantity should be expensive.

The owner of this shop also said that he is the one who implants that mutant spread tissue. “Transplanted mutant orchid plants will produce flowers similar to kie types, but will have slight variation, which means accuracy from 90-95%”, Mr. Phan shared.

Similarly, Mr. Vu Cong (Thu Dau Mot, Binh Duong) also sells mutant orchids of various types such as: 5 white Hien Oanh wings, 5 Phu Tho white wings, 5 Minh Vu white wings, Hong beauty, Hong Yen aquatic products … with prices from 800,000 to 1.2 million VND / bottle of 25-30 trees.

In addition, he also sells seedlings with a price of 250,000 VND / bottle per 40 trees, buying over 50 bottles will have a wholesale price. “If you take care of it quickly, it takes about 6-8 months to flower, and the tissue transplant method must take 1-1.5 years,” said Cong, who is more expensive because of the high technical requirements and the probability of flowering like the mother plant is also higher. This type he has just tested for more than a year but has no results, is expected to flower later this year.

Currently, each month he provides to the market about 200-300 bottles of tissue transplant mutant spreading. “I sell to customers but do not warrant flowers for anyone because I am not sure”, added Mr. Cong.

Not only that, on e-commerce sites such as Lazada, Sendo … also sell mutant orchids sowing seeds or transplanted mutant orchids with prices from 70,000-500,000 VND, depending on type.

It is possible to mass transplant tissues to spread billions of mutants

At the Institute of Vegetable and Fruit (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) is also propagating thousands of mutant non-scallop orchids by tissue culture method.

Exchange with Zing, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Dang Van Dong, Deputy Director of the Fruit and Vegetable Research Institute, confirmed that mutant non-scallop orchids can be fully propagated by tissue culture method in large numbers.

According to this PGS, today many crops including mutant orchids can be created artificially (through physical and chemical agents) and when there are “mutant orchids”. in the true sense, with genetic stability, it is completely possible to asexual propagation (by cuttings or improved tissue culture).

A complete tissue culture (in the laboratory) process takes at least 10-12 months. Photo: Hai Phan.

Cuttings are easier to do, but the propagation coefficient is slower, while cell culture (also essentially cuttings in the optimal environment and conditions) requires high technology, large initial investment, but The multiplication coefficient is high, the quality of the plant is better.

“Both of these two methods retain the genetic properties of the mother plant and after a year can multiply thousands of seedlings,” he confirmed.

In addition, this Associate Professor said that the Fruit and Vegetable Research Institute has been multiplying thousands of mutant non-scallop seedlings with kie ordered by a customer. “The price of these seedlings is just equivalent to other normal orchids”, the expert information.

“As a biologist, scientific research on flowers in general about orchids in particular, I myself do not understand why ‘mutant orchids’ are not so terrible, they can be propagated in large numbers. but it is so expensive, “he added.

Faced with the fact that many people were deceived when buying the billion, Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Van Dong recommended that before buying, selling, and exchanging consumers, they should consider, learn carefully, and ask the seller to have a guarantee contract. closely seeded to avoid any unfortunate occurrence. At the same time, the seller needs to make commitments to ensure the right varieties and quality, including guidance for the buyers on planting and care techniques for such orchids.