I wondered if they have ambitions to design boats for the super rich and are showing that they understand pointy ends..... ;).
............ - but the Tübingen glasshouse is not a very exciting shape........................................
Although the Tuebingen alpine house may not be an exciting shape they are getting good results which is surely the most important thing. Brigitte Fiebig and her team visited Gill and I , Eric Jarrett, Nigel Fuller and Hans Kaupert last spring. They are building a collection of dionysias of known wild origin and came to collect some plants and take cuttings. They have had excellent rooting results and I know Michael Kammerlander was pleased with their progress when he visited them a few weeks ago. As an added bonus they have sent some seed collected from their plants as they are not interested in garden pollinated seed.
I'm sure this has been discussed elsewhere on the Forum, but don't ( at least ) some of the so called publicly owned Botanic Gardens say that they are not allowed to disseminate plant material?? ???
Our group were treated to a guided tour of the rock garden and the alpine houses on Thursday. Thought you might like to see how the new one is progressing. Also just a few shots I took on our tour....
I was most impressed with the Narcissus cyclamineus which is seeding everywhere...
Also, Hacquetia; Adonis and Pulsatilla...
Very windy day so it was hard to take photos.
It may have already been unfairly christened "the bus shelter".Cruel - understandable, but cruel!
Al, I doubt I would recognise a phylogenetic analysis if it fell on my plate of cake! ::)
Happy to post your photos though, to keep members up to date. ;)
My best wishes, by the way, for all your PHD work! 8)
Thanks for taking the time to share your pictures from RBGE with us Alan
Is this a Madennia house at RBGE? If so Davidian would be delighted.
johnw about to sneeze.
Thanks Maggie.Thanks to you for taking the photos, Al! :D
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Al's photo from today:
Primula allionii in profusion
Scientists in the UK collaborating with colleagues in Vietnam have made the rare discovery of a previously unknown plant group or “genus” and, within it, five species of delicate flowers that are all new to science. Even more remarkably one of these specimens was collected in 1933 but has only now been classified and scientifically described at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE). Now, the new genus has been named in honour of two of the 20th century’s most prolific botanists.
All the specimens are grouped as part of Gesneriaceae - the African violet family – and were collected over the years in a little-studied area of southern Vietnam. They then lay, without their importance being recognised, in herbaria - repositories of preserved and labelled plant specimens - until RBGE-based scientists were able to examine the collections in more detail, incorporate evidence from molecular data, and prove without doubt that they represented a brand new group of plants within the wider family.
The new genus has been named Billolivia in honour of two of the most prolific botanists of the 20th Century, the late Brian Laurence Burtt - known as Bill - and Olive Hilliard, both of whom were based at RBGE and specialised in the research of the African violet family. Between them, Burtt and Hilliard described hundreds of new species.
Paying tribute to the international collaboration behind this latest research, RBGE Director of Science, Professor Pete Hollingsworth, underscored the need for continued taxonomic advancements: “Discovering new species is important. But, finding entirely new genera is particularly exciting. The Gesneriaceae family contains many indicator species for intact ecosystems which are useful for setting conservation priorities. Many species are also of horticultural interest,” he said.
“The rate of habitat destruction in the tropics is proceeding at an unprecedented rate and one of these new species has already been designated as ‘Critically Endangered’. This is a race against time to discover and understand the world’s biodiversity before it is lost: knowing what species exist – and where they occur – is a pre-requisite to conserving them. This work could not have been done without strong collaborative links with botanists and collectors in Vietnam working closely with the team in Edinburgh.”
Part of the flora of Vietnam and its neighbours, Cambodia and Laos, is being written in Edinburgh and this research is an important contribution to an understanding of plant diversity in this high biodiversity region.
Today's photos from Al Elliott
Alan's been taking photos again........
Alan's been taking photos again........
Alpine house looking as good as it did in January
Cushions of Draba - oldest one is older than Al!
Endangered Primula palinuri from Italy - growing at the Botanis since 1977
Primula rusbyi from mountains of New Mexco and Arizona, flowering behind the scenes at the Botanics
Great images!
Does the car wash do a wax and polish?
News from the RBGE - and something worht keeping an eye on........
First blog on the Expedition to Tajikistan http://stories.rbge.org.uk/archives/11325 (http://stories.rbge.org.uk/archives/11325)
"Two horticultural staff from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, John Mitchell (http://stories.rbge.org.uk/archives/author/jmitchell)Alpine Supervisor and team leader with Richard Brown have been joined by a member of staff from the Royal Botanic Garden Kew Kit Strange (http://www.kew.org/science-conservation/research-data/science-directory/people/strange-kit) are heading off on an expedition to Tajikistan at the end of April 2014.
Alan - it is really sad to hear this because it implies that the problems are only set to get worse if these are 'professional' thieves. And at least from my point of view a great stimulation of growing plants comes from showing them to others; that must be particularly true for a Botanic Garden.
RE: RBGE after the Tajikistan expedition .........
Great "tweet" from Al Elliot - " Just released from @TheBotanics quarantine after being collected in Tajikistan on the FEKET expedition. #Straightface " :)
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It's perhaps best that this expedition collection acronym is not uttered loudly in a Hiberno-English accent! :o
It's perhaps best that this expedition collection acronym is not uttered loudly in a Hiberno-English accent! :o
... or am I sounding like Prince Charles?lIs one?
Architecture over fuctionality and practicality in my view, or am I sounding like Prince Charles?l
I wonder where the plants for the tufa wall were sourced, Jankaea for instance. Were they grown at the Garden.
Alan,
I would greatly appreciate if you would photograph and provide to us
the image of the true Rosularia muratdaghensis.
The RBG data are as follows.
RBGE Accession number: 19622740
Rosularia muratdaghensis Kit Tan
Living plants of this accession
19622740A Q27 General Plant Collection
Collected in Turkey : Kätahya
Collected by Davis, Peter Hadland
Thank you.
Great "tweet" from Al Elliot - " Just released from @TheBotanics quarantine after being collected in Tajikistan on the FEKET expedition. #Straightface " :)
Alan,A speedy response for you, Josef!
I would greatly appreciate if you would photograph and provide to us
the image of the true Rosularia muratdaghensis.
The RBG data are as follows.
RBGE Accession number: 19622740
Rosularia muratdaghensis Kit Tan
Living plants of this accession
19622740A Q27 General Plant Collection
Collected in Turkey : Kätahya
Collected by Davis, Peter Hadland
Thank you.
Here is a leaf detail - didnt post it because its a bit crap.You are great.
I'll go back and hack up another rosette when Elspeth isnt looking. Sshh
nice! do we know which species / hybrid they are - the label just seem to say "Dionysia"? Maybe some farinose D. tapetodes or hybrid there of? Actually looks more like Androsace vandellii to my old eyes.
@ Alan, interesting. The other thing they look like is a Draba but I'm sure that's been considered. Interesting also they've got to that size but not flowered yet.
This afternoon's Tweet on the Titan Arum in RBGE
"223.5cm today, posing with Louise for scale! Growth rate is slowing... full bloom soon @TheBotanics #NewReekie "
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We've been re-Tweeting and repeating Facebook posts from the Titan Arum in Edinburgh - it's amazing the speed it's been growing at.I was out of the country for 2 weeks, so missed it, but today I was determined to be there and to prove it: (but for grandchildren only to view!)
It is a real giant, isn't it? Thank goodness the pong wasn't too bad.Actually, I was a bit disappointed not to sample the pong! I expected it to be all part of the experience. I had to made do with the all pervading smell of "Auld Reekie's" brewery on my train-replacement bus journey into town. I don't think the arum would have been any worse, if a different type of smell.
News from RBGE - The Botanics gives open access to the new issue of 'Sibbaldia'
http://journals.rbge.org.uk/index.php/rbgesib/issue/view/17 (http://journals.rbge.org.uk/index.php/rbgesib/issue/view/17)
The World stands poised :P ;D
Hello Alan - must take this chance to say congratulations on being elected to the SRGC Council - I foresee a great future for the club with the likes of you and Matt Topsfield getting involved. 8)
Write -up on RBGE Research in the Scotasman - from 30th November :
http://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/scots-flowers-face-extinction-as-global-warming-hits-1-3961015 (http://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/scots-flowers-face-extinction-as-global-warming-hits-1-3961015)
Quick Quote : " Researchers Chris Smart and Dr Alan Elliott used the “worst-case scenario” climate models for 2070 which predict Scotland will be hotter and drier all year round.
The most alarming outcome was for the future of the Himalayan Blue Poppy, a beautiful flowering plant.
The paper states that the suitable climatic conditions for the poppy are predicted to “reduce significantly”, with only the far north-east and parts of Shetland expected to remain in its climatic comfort zone.
There is already evidence for failure of the poppy during hot, dry summers in Fife, where additional watering has very little effect on the survival of the plants. "
Why the old wall are destroyed, it seems they're still in a good state?looks like they have put an extra skin of 4" solids inside at the bottom to reduce any chance of it bowing out - but as you say the original ones looked fine
I'll ask for closer pix, Graeme.cheers Maggi - they look beautifully made - I need to have a trip up north at some stage by the looks
"Here is the detail on the frames on the alpine house it just like for like the old system "
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A few pix from John Mitchell to show the frame fixings - he saysthanks Maggi - that now makes a lot of sence - I could see the pins but not the u shaped fittings they pivot in - I just need to find a supplier for them now"Here is the detail on the frames on the alpine house it just like for like the old system "
I checked again with John to see if he could give a supplier's name - but they are the original ones from the 1970s being re-used so no details on those available.thanks Maggi - I have already found some stainless steel fitting that will probably do the trick - I could just do with a team of carpenters for a couple of weeks......
Flowering today in the RBGE alpine bulb house -Iris histrio
That's a really beautiful iris.
I'm a big fan of Elspeth!And yesterday - International Women's Day - saw the RBGE celebrate Elspeth as one of their heroines...
Horticulturist (Rock and Alpine)
Full time, fixed term (9 months), based in Edinburgh
Salary: £17,791 to £19,500 (Pay Band B)
We are looking to recruit a Horticulturist to join the Rock and Alpine team at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for a period of 9 months.
In this job you will be involved in maintaining and enhancing the Living Collection, tasks will include potting, weeding, watering, propagation, planting, cutting grass as well as being involved in project work within the wider Outdoor Living Collections Department.
Applicants should be qualified to SVQ Level 2 or equivalent, have the ability to work to a very high standard, be computer literate, able to work in a group situation or individually, be highly motivated and be a good communicator. Additionally, the successful candidate should have knowledge of botanical horticulture, garden maintenance, an interest in alpine plants and be experienced in propagation techniques.
Please click here for a full job description and person specification which outlines the key and specific responsibilities as well as the essential and desirable criteria for this post.
Applicants should send a CV and covering letter which outlines their suitability for the post as well as a completed equal opportunities form to recruitment@rbge.org.uk by noon on Friday, 19 May 2017.
If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been shortlisted.
Looks as though there are a couple who are younger than I had expected them to be ;)Possibly students invited to attend, David!
Wish my Alpine house could look remotely like thatI don't know - the plants look fantastic but I was aghast at the cages - have they had lots of plants stolen?
Angie :)
I don't know - the plants look fantastic but I was aghast at the cages - have they had lots of plants stolen?Not since they had the cages!! Thy've been there for many years now.
Wish my Alpine house could look remotely like thatRemember it's a display house and pots of bulbs move between it and larger growing facilities not open to the public
Angie :)
Remember it's a display house and pots of bulbs move between it and larger growing facilities not open to the public
.... Shame that they have had to put the wire there. I thought at first it was to keep animals away.It is - light-fingered b*****ds >:(
Angie :)
It is - light-fingered b*****ds >:(
cheers
fermi