In June 2017 our orchid biologist Dr. Jason Downing
returned to China to continue ongoing research related to orchid conservation at Yachang National Orchid Reserve in Guangxi Province. The work aimed to train graduate students from Guangxi University
in orchid micropropagation techniques and orchid mycorrhiza biology. Activities developed during his work included experiments testing the effects of temperature on the germination and development of orchids that were translocated out of their natural range. Species included the rare lady slipper orchids, Paphiodelium hirsutissimum
and P. dianthum
, as well as Cymbidium aloifolium
, C. bicolor
, and C
. This initiative was sponsored by and implemented through a grant awared to FIU Faculty and Fairchild Researcher Dr. Hong Liu
from the National Natural Science Foundation of China
in partnership with Dr. Uromi Goodlale
of Guangxi University. This research is a continuation of a study that resulted in a recent paper published in the international journal Biological Conservation
(Vol. 212: 29-36, 2017).
: Countryside in Guangxi Province. Middle: Cymbidium bicolor
in habitat. Bottom
: Research team at Yachang National Orchid Preserve.