The Meet & Greet, Organizational Training, Research training, Cultivation training, Conservation training, and Written Evaluation of BiOSC in 2023 mark the initial phase of Basic Education conducted by the Biology Orchid Study Club (BiOSC) at the Faculty of Biology, UGM. The aim of the BiOSC Basic Training is to provide organizational and scientific preparation for new BiOSC members through the presentation of material and practical exercises in various areas, including organization, research, cultivation, and conservation. This initiative aims to produce enthusiasts and advocates of orchids who can preserve and advance the native orchids. The activities took place at the Faculty of Biology, UGM, with a total of 26 participants.
The basic education commenced with the Meet & Greet and Organizational Training on September 9, 2023, in Room X of the Faculty of Biology, UGM. During this event, the BiOSC Advisor, Prof. Dr. Endang Semiarti, M.S., M.Sc., delivered a welcome address and motivation to the XVIII BiOSC potential new members (CAD). This event included an explanation of the rules and regulations during the training, a general introduction to BiOSC, the organizational structure, and an introduction to the 7 fields within BiOSC: Secretary, Treasurer, Entrepreneurship, Household Affairs (RT), HR, Public Relations and Networking (Humjar), as well as Media and Publication (Medpub). During the post-to-post session, the committee and field staff were divided into several stations to share information to the participants.
On September 17, 2023, the training continued with the Research Training. The event was held in Room IV A of the Faculty of Biology, UGM. During this session, topics such as systematics, taxonomy, basic photography techniques, sketches, and orchid identification were discussed. Following the presentations, field practice was conducted in three stations: orchid identification, photography, and sketching. Each group showed great enthusiasm during the practical exercises, and they were able to successfully identify and document orchids through photos and sketches.
The training series continued on September 23, 2023, with the Cultivation training. This session took place in Room 1 of Building B at the Faculty of Biology, UGM and covered topics related to the orchid growth environment, propagation techniques, and general orchid cultivation methods. Similar to previous sessions, practical field exercises were conducted in three stations: pollination station, splitting station, and keiki station. During the pollination station, participants were taught about the correct method of pollinating orchids by inserting pollen into the stigma cavity of the orchid flower using a toothpick. Representatives from the participants then practiced pollinating Vanda tricolor orchids near the Auditorium Biologi Tropika. Splitting and keiki separation are propagation techniques practiced in the Cultivation Training stations. Orchid clusters that have become too dense are divided into smaller clusters to promote optimal orchid growth. Meanwhile, orchids with keikis (typically from the genus Dendrobium) – new shoots on the orchid stem due to stress – should be separated from the parent plant once they are long enough and healthy. In the orchid propagation station, participants also practiced splitting techniques using Oncidium Golden Shower orchids and separating keikis from Dendrobium fimbriatum orchids near the Al-Hayat Mosque.
The Conservation Training served as the final indoor training session in the XVIII BiOSC CAD series for 2023. This session was held on October 15, 2023, in Room 1 of Building B at the Faculty of Biology, UGM. The Conservation training covered topics such as orchid ecology, orchid conservation, exploration, inventorying, and survival techniques. The field practice was divided into several stations, including tent-making training, introduction to the use of physico-chemical parameter tools, training on arranging items in a carrier bag, and familiarization with survival tools.
After the instruction provided in the various trainings, the Written Evaluation took place on October 21, 2023, in Room 1 of Building B at the Faculty of Biology, UGM. The Evaluation was conducted to assess the participants’ understanding of the material presented in the training. The Written Evaluation is not the final phase of the BiOSC training; there is still one more activity to anticipate – the Field Training (Diklap). Stay tuned for the XVIII BiOSC CAD Diklap in 2023 on your favorite platform. BiOSC! Grow, Develop, Sustain!! [Author: BiOSC]