The orchids with its 25,000 to 30,000 species in nearly 700 to 800 genera constitute one of the largest families among
tlowering plants, and exhibit an almost innumerable hybrids and inexhaustible varieties. Several local species of Ascocen trum,
Calanthe, Coelogyrne Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Paphiopedilum, Phalaenopsis Vanda, etc. are in great demand in international
market for breeding materials. Presence of natural hybrids evolved from cross between the species in the wild is known since the
early days of orchid collection and cultivation. The orchid hybrids are the offsprings derived from the cross between two
genetically non-identical individuals. Intraspecific, intrageneric and inter generic hybrids have been obtained in this group of
plants. Polyploidy and introgressive hybridization played a major role in the development of orchid hybrids. Genetic engineering
cOupled with tissue culture technique provides a useful way to introduce specific genes into orchid plants as evidenced by a
successtul introduction of improved protein quality, novel flower colour and disease, insect and pest resistance into various crops
in the relatively short period of time. More than 3 lakh registered orchid hybrids are available in the world of which Ascocentrum,
Cattleya, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Oncidium, Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum, Rhynchostylis, and Vanda genera are common