Bringing new life into the world, whether for humans or plants, is filled with both hope and challenges. Just as prenatal screening ensures healthy offspring, the Oncidium industry relies on disease-free mother plants to enhance flower quality and production. Oncidium is a key export flower crop for Taiwan, with a cultivation area of 248.4 hectares in 2023, producing about 23.82 million flower stems annually. Of these, 81.5% are exported, primarily to Japan, generating an export value of 530 million NTD. However, viral infections severely impact flower quality and plant longevity. Infected plants can reduce tissue culture efficiency by up to 90%, posing a threat to exports—especially with growing competition from fast-expanding industries in Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam.

To address these challenges, the Taiwan Seed Improvement and Propagation Station (TSIPS) first implemented a "Virus Certification for Oncidium Seedlings" program in 2002, helping establish virus-free mother plant preservation sites. While this initiative was discontinued in 2017 due to lower demand and cost concerns, rising industry challenges prompted the Ministry of Agriculture to re-launch the program in 2021. By 2024, TSIPS had begun executing the "Oncidium Healthy Cultivation System and Variety Optimization" project, prioritizing the establishment of virus-free mother plants. Under this program, selected mother plants undergo RT-PCR testing for Cymbidium mosaic virus (CymMV) and Odontoglossum ringspot virus (ORSV) to confirm their health before being designated for tissue culture. In 2023, nationwide tests revealed a high infection rate of 45% among Oncidium mother plants. However, with the introduction of the virus-free cultivation initiative in 2024, the infection rate significantly dropped to 13.7%, reflecting growing industry awareness of the importance of healthy mother plants.

The successful implementation of virus-free mother plant cultivation promises to strengthen Taiwan’s Oncidium industry, enhancing international competitiveness while ensuring stable production and high-quality exports. As the saying goes, “A good start is half the battle.” By prioritizing healthy seedlings, Taiwan’s Oncidium industry is poised for a brighter, healthier future. If Oncidium varieties like Elena, Apollo, and Artemis have completed their “prenatal checks,” shouldn’t your Oncidium plants, too? Let’s ensure a prosperous future together!

▲Figure 1. The facilities of the Oncidium healthy mother plant screenhouse include 32-mesh netting and a double-door system.		▲Figure 2. Virus-free healthy Oncidium mother plants confirmed through testing are placed in the mother plant screenhouse.
▲Figure 3. Oncidium leaves with co-infection of CymMV and ORSV exhibit severe mosaic symptoms.