Interspecific hybridization has long been used to produce Phalaenopsis hybrids with superior traits such as flower size, color, lip morphology, heavy pigmentation spots, spike number, plant height, floret number and size, inflorescence angle, and branching. For a successful breeding program, superior parents with desirable horticultural traits must be selected for hybridization based on market preferences. However, many existing hybrids produce triploids or aneuploids and are almost completely sterile. A database of the cytogenetic backgrounds of species and cultivars is essential for formulating systematic breeding programs. However, this information is limited to the Phalaenopsis cultivars. Therefore, chromosome composition, pollen viability, and meiotic abnormality of two Phalaenopsis yellow cultivars, namely Phalaenopsis ‘Fuller’s Sunset’ and Phalaenopsis ‘Geumgongju,’ were analyzed in this study. Cytogenetic analyses revealed that both cultivars had hypotetraploid and asymmetrical chromosomes. Assessment of pollen viability using the 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining test and in vitro pollen germination in five flower developmental stages demonstrated that P. ‘Fuller’s Sunset’ pollinia were viable because it were stained in all stages with pollen tube growth. In contrast, unstained pollinia and the absence of pollen tubes were observed in P. ‘Geumgongju.’ Sporad stage analysis showed that P. ‘Geumgongju’ contained predominantly abnormal sporads with micronuclei compared to those of P. ‘Fuller’s Sunset.’ The results of this study provide vital information for breeding programs for Phalaenopsis cultivars and emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate parents for hybridization.

Cymbidium ‘Sodam’, derived from a cross between ‘Baek Un’ and ‘Lapin Rose’ in 2000, was bred by the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration in 2015. After artificial crossing, 120 seedlings were obtained through in vitro seed germination and seedling acclimatization in a greenhouse. On the basis of mature plant characteristics, including flower color, plant size, leaf shape, flower stalk, and vigorous growth, three lines were initially selected. The first and second trials for characteristics were conducted from 2009 to 2014, which enabled confirmation of the stability and uniformity of the three lines. Amongst these, the final line, with the code ‘00-1023-20’, was selected as ‘Wongyuo F1-58.’ After evaluating consumer preferences, the line was subsequently named ‘Sodam’. This hybrid is a small- to medium-sized cultivar with more than 10 pink flowers per stalk and an average number of 3.8 stalks. The relatively compact flower has an incurved shape with a width and length of 6.0 and 5.0 cm, respectively. Furthermore, the plants have short erect stalks and leaves (length 51.7 and 69.5 cm, respectively), showing good properties with respect to potting. The flowers have a fragrance similar to that of the female parent ‘Baek Un’. ‘Sodam’ commences flowering in early December. The proliferative ability of ‘Sodam’ is comparable to that of the control cultivar, and it is anticipated that this will facilitate mass proliferation for commercial use (Registration No. 6749).

The number of flower types filed and registered in the Korea Seed & Variety Service has increased each year. Of the 7,731 crops registered to date, flowers account for 53%, with 4,123 cases. This seems to reflect the nature of flowers with their various shapes and colors, as well as rapid change in varieties. The 1980s was seen as the birth of different flower varieties, with a focus on the collection of genetic resources for each flower type, the selection of chrysanthemums and rose varieties, and culturing of trumpet lilies and carnations. The 1990s was an era of globalization and the import of agricultural products, which enabled research on new flower varieties and the mass production of seedlings to develop strategies for export. In 1995, the Seed Industry Act was implemented and the cultivation of varieties actively began with Korea joining the International Union of the Production of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV); research on breeding and producing high quality seedlings for development of flower types such as lilies, carnations, chrysanthemums, roses, hibiscus, gerberas, gladioli, herbaceous flowers, cacti, orchids, and various other novel floral crops were expanded. In particular, support measures to promote private breeding were also devised. In the 2000s, breeding technology was stabilized, which led to the development of many new varieties at national and local levels, even by common citizens. Penetration rates of chrysanthemums, roses, and orchids, whose main focus was breeding, increased from 1% in 2000 to 5.8% in 2008 and 27.3% in the 2010s. Currently, cactus dominates the world market, with domestic varieties accounting for 70% of the world’s trade, while freesias account for 60.4%, showing the high contribution of domestic small area crops. ‘Baekma’ (chrysanthemums), ‘Shiny gold’ (freesia), ‘Deep purple’ (rose), and ‘Woori tower’ (lily) are representative examples of domestic varieties bred in Korea. In the future, the development of varieties tailored to various consumers will be promoted, along with research on the production of virus-free seedlings, genome technology for enhancing breeding efficiency, and adding high value to the flower industry.

Oriental Cymbidium ‘Sael Bit’ cultivar was developed as a hybrid in 2013 by the National Institute of Horticultural & Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon, Korea. This hybrid was developed from a cross between C. faberi ‘Ilgyounguhwa’ and C. ’98CD05-1’ in 2002. C. ‘Ilgyounguhwa’ has a sweet floral scent, and C. ’98CD05-1’ was obtained from a germplasm from Vietnam. After the cross and successful planting and acclimatization in a greenhouse, 72 seedlings were obtained. In 2007, one line was selected on the basis of flower color, leaf shape, flower stalk, and vigorous growth, and it was named ‘Wongyuo F1-37’. The line with the code ‘02-0428-33’ had consistent uniformity and excellent characteristics. The line selected after the evaluation of secondary characteristics was named ‘Sael Bit’. This hybrid has bright yellow and green colored petals (GY1B), red spot lips (R53A), and a pleasant fragrance. Flower and plant size of ‘Sael Bit’ are medium and it has approximately 9.1 flowers per stalk, which can be considered as a good spike habit. Petals and sepals are generally narrow and acute and the inflorescence is erect. Under optimal culture condition, flowers start blooming in late October. (Registration No. 5754)

Floral pattern plays a vital role in flower structure. The most basic factors that make up the floral pattern are spots and lines in Sedirea japonica. These factors were expressed in a various pattern according to their location and the type of the flower. Frequent expression pattern is higher in the left side of lateral sepal and labellum than petal and dorsal sepal. The expression type in one plant is usually very different according to right or left of sepals, flowering orders, and flowering times and in some individuals, expression pattern remained constant in all flowers. Two hybrids from the cross between Hygrochilus parishii and H. pasishii var. purpureus hybrid (Hongjadan) have shown similar flower characteristics (flower size, flower background color, and pattern distribution) to those of H. pasishii with the exception of the pattern, size, and expression of the number of spots, and pattern shape of labellum including morphology. The flower of an offspring from Hongjadan x S. japonicum (K10) showed petals and sepals without pattern, red flecks, red spot, and red sectors. The shape and back ground color of labellum were similar to those of Hongjadan and S. japonica. The results of this study will be helpful for breeding new cultivars of Sedirea japonica.