Salalah – Royal Gardens and Farms of Royal Court affairs has successfully propagated local and imported orchid flowers following years of continuous trials, development, and research. Initial cultivation began in the nurseries of the Royal Gardens and Farms in Salalah in 1982 using imported seedlings. Production later expanded to Bir bint Ahmed and Qairoon Hairiti Farm in Salalah.

Dhofar Governorate offers a suitable climate for orchids, featuring temperatures between 18 and 32 degrees Celsius and humidity levels ranging from 60 to 85 degrees. The Royal Gardens and Farms focused on propagating local varieties gathered from Tawi Ateer in the east to the mountains of Dalkhut in the west to preserve and care for them. These local types feature flower stems measuring 1.5 m to 2 m long with small flowers compared to hybrid varieties, alongside another shorter variety with larger, brighter blooms.

Engineer Ibrahim bin Ahmed Qatan, Director of the Technical Support Department at the Royal Gardens and Farms in Salalah, stated that several imported varieties were successfully propagated, including Dendrobium, Vanda, Aranda, Oncidium, Cattleya, and Phalaenopsis. Dendrobium proved to be the most successful variety in Dhofar’s climate, followed by Oncidium. Propagation methods include tissue culture, cuttings, offshoots, and side growths from the mother plant. Plant roots are grown in media such as charcoal, coconut husk, and tree bark to maintain cleanliness, retain moisture, and protect against fungal and insect infections.