CALYX, ORCHIDS AND PROPAGATION - Jul 26
The July 2026 Gardening Group outing was a full day program to explore three different aspects of the Botanic Gardens.
We started as usual with morning tea in the cafe after the train/ metro trip into the city.
We were met by Valero, who is the guru of the extensive collection in the orchid houses, and his colleague, Peter, a world-renowned international judge. First stop was into the cooler climate orchid house. Hundreds of orchids in beautiful condition, then it was off to the tropical orchid glass house where the temperature is between 26 and 46°C (in summer). Some orchids were in flower and breathtakingly beautiful.
We were then joined by Greg Lamont who is the horticultural advisor for the Growing Friends propagation program at the gardens. Growing Friends is one arm of the Foundation and Friends program attached to the Botanic Gardens. Greg took us into the behind-the-scenes area and showed us the propagation sheds for the Growing Friends nursery. He explained how the plants are propagated from either seeds or cuttings. They propagate plants from the living collections in the three botanic gardens, Mt Tomah (cool climate) Mt Annan (hot climate) and the Royal Botanic Gardens. The plants are then sold on to the general public.
David Chandler alongside a native beehive. Yes, David is one of us!
One of the flowering orchids – absolutely beautiful
Red cedar, the oldest planted (circa 1820) tree in the Gardens
Finally, we were handed over to David Chandler who showed us a few significant trees in the garden, including the garden's oldest tree, a red cedar planted in the 1820s, the garden’s tallest tree, a Kinkie Pine, native bee hives and the cycads from the dinosaur times. Then it was off to the Calyx for a tour by David of the Alchemy of a Rainforest exhibition.
Our last stop was the nursery where many of us purchased a plant or two.
It was a tiring but exhilarating day, weather was glorious, and although some headed back to the city, the rest of us collapsed into the Art Gallery for a late lunch. Thank you to David, Greg and Val for treating us to such a wonderful day.
