Is there a future in growing jewel orchids? Market prospects and profitability analysis

Jewel orchid, also known as golden thread orchid, golden silk thread, and money grass, is a plant in the genus Anoectochilus of the orchid family. In folk legend it is said to cure a hundred diseases, and it has long been honored with the title “king of medicines”. It is extremely rare and exceptionally valuable, and was a dedicated imperial tribute for successive dynasties. Today it is a premium ingredient in hotels, restaurants and many households. Let us take a look below at whether there is a future in growing jewel orchids!

Is there a future in growing jewel orchids?

There is a future in growing jewel orchids. The whole plant of the jewel orchid can be used as medicine, with effects such as clearing heat and cooling blood, dispelling wind and draining dampness, and detoxifying and relieving pain. However, because it has strict requirements for its ecological environment, its natural habitat has suffered severe damage, and because of long-term extensive wild harvesting by people and damage by wild animals, the number of wild jewel orchids has greatly decreased. Therefore the prospects for artificial cultivation of jewel orchids are very broad. But the jewel orchid is a cold-background Chinese medicinal herb, and market demand is not large; usually only merchants with a specific need buy small quantities, and stock moves slowly in the medicinal herb market. Anyone intending to grow it needs to have a sales channel.

Are there risks in growing jewel orchids?

1. Technical risk: Jewel orchids can only grow in remote deep mountains and old forests in a pristine ecological state, and require a special natural cyclical climate and a delicate combination of sunlight, rain and dew. Therefore growing jewel orchids requires a certain amount of knowledge and skill.

2. Market risk: The jewel orchid is a cold-background Chinese medicinal herb, and current market demand is not very large. Usually only merchants with a specific need buy small quantities, and stock moves slowly in the medicinal herb market. Anyone intending to develop cultivation needs to have a sales channel.

3. Financial risk: Jewel orchids have very high requirements for environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, so the investment cost is relatively high, and at the same time the return on investment is relatively slow, which leads to a relatively high financial risk and requires cautious development.

Can you make money growing jewel orchids?

1. Under-forest cultivation: Under-forest cultivation of jewel orchids makes use of natural under-forest environmental conditions. According to the growth requirements of jewel orchids, sites are chosen in mountain forests and gentle slopes with relatively convenient transportation, dense trees and fertile soil.

① Investment cost: About 50,000 to 60,000 jewel orchids can be planted per mu. Each seedling costs 0.3 to 0.5 yuan, so the total cost of seedlings is about 30,000 yuan, and the input for labor, shade netting, fencing, irrigation equipment, etc. is about 15,000 yuan.

② Planting profit: At 3 to 4 grams per plant, the total is about 200 kg. At 300 yuan per kg, the income is about 60,000 yuan. The planting cost input is about 45,000 yuan, the income is 60,000 yuan, and the profit per mu is about 15,000 yuan.

2. Simple greenhouse: Simple greenhouse cultivation of jewel orchids is based on the suitable growing environment for jewel orchids, choosing a site with no industrial pollution, a natural clean water source, convenient sprinkler irrigation, and on the shady side near a mountain to establish the production base.

① Investment cost: About 150,000 to 200,000 jewel orchid seedlings can be planted per mu. Each seedling costs 0.3 to 0.5 yuan, so the total cost of seedlings is about 70,000 to 90,000 yuan, and the input for labor, greenhouse, irrigation equipment, etc. is 50,000 to 70,000 yuan.

② Planting profit: At 3 to 4 grams per seedling, the total is about 700 kg. At 300 yuan per kg, the income is about 210,000 yuan. The planting cost input is about 150,000 yuan, the income is 210,000 yuan, and the profit per mu is about 60,000 yuan.

3. High-yield greenhouse: The standard high-yield greenhouse for jewel orchids is the method currently adopted by larger jewel orchid cultivation enterprises. It allows control of temperature, humidity and ventilation, and the land area utilization rate can reach 200%.

① Investment cost: About 300,000 jewel orchid seedlings can be planted per mu. Each seedling costs 0.3 to 0.4 yuan, so the total cost of seedlings is about 100,000 yuan, and the input for labor, greenhouse, irrigation equipment, etc. is about 120,000 yuan.

② Planting profit: At 3 to 4 grams per seedling, the total is about 900 kg. At 300 yuan per kg, the income is about 270,000 yuan. The planting cost input is about 220,000 yuan, the income is 270,000 yuan, and the profit per mu is about 50,000 yuan.