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Epiphytes feature at Waikato Youth Biodiversity Event

27/3/2014

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Last Friday, NZ Epiphyte Network members were involved in the first ever youth-focussed biodiversity event. The Pukemokemoke Youth Biodiversity Day was hosted by the Waikato Biodiversity Forum at the Pukemokemoke Bush Reserve, 20 minutes northeast of Hamilton.

The event was organised by a committee of young volunteers who aimed to promote local flora and fauna and inspire students to pursue careers in conservation. Sixty students from the University of Waikato, Hamilton high schools and local home school groups came along to hear from young people who work in biodiversity-related areas.
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A 5 minute run down on NZ epiphyte ecology! Photo: DOC.
Speakers from Kiwi Encounter, Wingspan, Plant and Food, Waikato Regional Council, Unmask Palm Oil and the University of Waikato all did a stellar job of exciting and inspiring the students.

I gave a talk about NZ's epiphytes, their ecology and the exciting methods of studying them. Two fabulous arborists even came along to provide an interesting and quite simply awesome tree climbing demonstration.
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Marcus describes the use of a big shot to get lines into a tree. Photo: C. Kirby.
The number of students who already knew about epiphytes was low but after 20 minutes in the bush with my team the image of a great kahikatea, its epiphytes and some impressive tree climbers won't be leaving them too soon!

I'd like to thank Marcus and Mike for coming along for the climb as well as our amazing organising committee and the Waikato Biodiversity Forum for making this event possible.
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mmmm I call this "supervising", by the end of the day I was extremely grateful that Marcus and Mike did half the talking! Photo: DOC.
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Ladies tights helping orchid conservation

21/3/2014

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Propagating epiphytic orchids helps to preserve species and create plant stock to supply restoration projects. At the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens they mount epiphytic orchids onto Cork Oak (Quercus suber) bark using ladies tights!
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Christopher Ryan demonstrating orchid mounting. Photo: Kew Royal Botanic Gardens.
"We use ladies tights to tie the specimens on. It may sound strange to some, but it really works. Nylon tights (cut into strips and tied together to make strings) will stretch and give, so that new growth is not damaged as the plants grow and establish. When we first started using tights, we had a problem getting enough of them. Regular requests went out to the entire garden for staff and volunteers to send in their old, used (and washed!) tights for the orchids, but we still didn’t have enough... Fortunately, a well known nylon stockings company heard of our plight and now regularly sends boxes of its factory rejected tights."
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A mounted Bulbophyllum. Photo: Kew Royal Botanic Gardens.
Once the specimens are lovingly prepared they are attached to vertical metal grills where they are cared for as a living display of international diversity. 
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Specimens in the Orchid Laboratory at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Photo: C. Kirby.
Another living orchid display can be found in the Singapore Botanic Gardens. This garden has a Orchid Breeding & Conservation Biotechnology Laboratory that clones orchids and creates new and novel hybrids. The laboratory is complemented by a beautiful orchid garden that showcases a huge range of interesting species and hybrids.
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A display of epiphytic orchids in the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Photo: C. Kirby.
As discussed in a previous blog, some of their native orchids are used for restoration projects around the city but they are also used to maintain Singapore's reputation as a beautiful orchid destination.
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With so many orchids on hand, the staff get creative with displays like these orchid arches. Photo: C. Kirby.
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An information panel in the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Photo: C. Kirby.
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Autumn epiphytes

13/3/2014

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On this lovely Friday I'll be sharing some photos of epiphyte and vine species that I enjoyed on a recent adventure in forest near Kawhia on the west coast of the North Island. It was very dry in the forest yet none of the epiphyte or vine species I came across were wilted. The orchid species were common on the ridges while the vines were abundant in the valleys. Please feel free to share your recent epiphyte/vine/mistletoe finds!
Ichthyostomum pygmaeum
Piripiri (Ichthyostomum pygmaeum) was abundant on rewarewa (Knightia excelsa). Photo: C. Kirby.
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From the ridge top I spotted these tawa that were covered by Kareao (Ripogonum scandens - on right) and Rata (Metrosideros fulgens - on left). Photo: C. Kirby.
Earina mucronata
Peka-a-waka (Earina mucronata) were displaying seed capsules. Photo: C. Kirby.
Earina autumnalis
Raupeka (Earina autumnalis) were getting ready to flower. Photo: C. Kirby.
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Nest epiphytes provided habitat for many other species - spot the orhids and ferns in the foreground and puka (Griselinia lucida) in the background. Photo: C. Kirby.
Metrosideros fulgens
New rātā (Metrosideros fulgens) growth looked very glossy in the sunshine. Photo: C. Kirby.
Drymoanthus adversus
Drymoanthus adversus had large seed capsules. Photo: C. Kirby.
Lygodium articulatum
Mangemange (Lygodium articulatum) was densely smothering tree trunks or hanging across the track in thick curtains. Photo: C. Kirby.
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Bringing the plants to the people: canopy gardens

6/3/2014

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The Auckland Botanic Gardens this week announced plans for a 19 m high "sculptural tree" that will allow people to explore and experience our epiphyte flora. They have called the structure an "Epiphytum" and plan to include a classroom, rain shelter and lighting for night events. This awesome idea led me to explore other structures and gardens that bring canopy flora to the people.
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"Epiphytum" concept for the Auckland Botanic Gardens. Image: Andrew Patterson.
The Bok Tower Gardens in Florida have this clever display of epiphytes on an invisible wall, maybe fine netting?
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Epiphyte wall at the Bok Tower Gardens. Photo: Carrie Barton.
Then there are vertical gardens/green walls which commonly utilise epiphyte species:
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CapitaLand, Singapore by Patrick Blanc. Check out his awesome website: www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com
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Green wall in Panama. Photo: www.greenwall.com.au
This interesting blog features string gardens - I wonder how our epiphyte species would handle hanging in mid air?
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Fedor van der Valk string garden! Photo: josephtheprince.blogspot.co.nz
And then there is the Cloud Forest at Gardens at the Bay, Singapore. This enormous display of tropical montane epiphytes features species from around the world:
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The Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore. Photos from www.gardensbythebay.com.sg & happilyeverwedding.blogspot.co.nz.
If you know of other structures or clever garden ideas that bring epiphytes closer to people then please let us know!
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    Catherine Kirby

    I work with NZ's native vascular epiphytes at the University of Waikato. I completed an MSc on epiphyte ecology and the shrub epiphyte Griselinia lucida and have recently published the Field Guide to NZ's Epiphytes, Vines & Mistletoes. 


    For me, the highlights of epiphyte research are the many unknowns, the amazing way that these plants survive in the canopy, and of course tree climbing!

    Subscribe to receive the weekly posts and join our facebook page to get interesting updates :)


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