Pollenatrix

Restoring orchids in the Florida Everglades

"Restoring native orchids to the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge wasn't in Richardson's original job description. But during the course of his work preserving the Florida Panther's habitat, he soon realized that native orchids were a part of that habitat. So Richardson studied and now has applied a new, unique way to germinate and restore endangered native species to the refuge. "

Ontario: A Place to Grow

      A very funny video spoof from the CBC - Rick Mercer's Monday Report.

No doubt this comes out of the recent discovery of a gigantic grow-op inside a former brewery in Barrie, north of Toronto:

"There aren't enough people in Ontario to consume the amount of marijuana produced in (Ontario) grow houses.", says Ontario Provincial Police investigator Vaughn Collins.

Thanks for the laugh, Dad!

Orchid Smuggling Drama in New Zealand

More details are coming out about the case of the two orchid smugglers recently arrested in New Zealand, and the story is quite interesting.

"Dr Ian St George, convenor of the New Zealand native orchid group, said word had gone out on their "amateur grapevine" about a suspicious pair of orchid hunters asking to be guided to the flowers since before Christmas. Members were asked not to do so.

Dr St George said there were about 150 native orchids, with about 20 that were "vanishingly rare".

One, known as either Corybas or Anzybas Carsei could be found only in one Waikato swamp which he refused to name. Known as the Swamp Helmet, it is about the size of a fingernail, completely dark maroon and is described by Dr St George as "the closest we have to an All Black orchid". It would be too hard for them to find, given only one man knew the way through waist-deep bog and it was only in flower for two weeks of the year in September.

He had not seen it himself and it has been rarely photographed.

...The type of orchids the men had allegedly smuggled would be a strong pointer to whether any smugglers had received local help. He would be "absolutely disgusted" if they had. "

The two men are from Czechoslovakia, and they are no ordinary common thiefs:

"...Cihalik is dean of the medicine school at the 430-year-old Palacky University in Olomouc. ... (He) is a cardiologist specialising in the electrophysiological activity of the heart. He is the author of an extensive electrocardiogram atlas. He is married to a researcher of botanical genetics. His two adult sons are art historians involved in the conservation of cultural monuments.

Smitak is a public servant from Brno, 78km southeast of Olomouc.There he is the chairman of the Society of Tropical Orchid Growers and of the Friends of European Wild Orchids.

The pair have surrendered their passports as part of their bail conditions. "

Learn about urban agriculture in Cuba

This event looks interesting: GROWING IN CUBA:Canadian-Cuban Partnership in Urban Agriculture WHEN:  THIS THURSDAY Jan. 22nd at 7pm !! WHERE: FoodShare's Field to Table Centre - 200 Eastern Ave.  ALSO: Friday, Jan 23rd at noon, at York University Faculty of Environmental Studies, Lumbers building Rm 306 WHAT: How does Havana feed its population? What strategies and models have been implemented? And how is the non-profit sector supporting the efforts to increase food security? With a population of 2.4 million people, Havana is providing for its citizens by growing 54% of its food supply in the city limits. Urban agriculture takes many forms in Havana patio gardens, school gardens, organoponicos and cooperatives. A Victoria-based NGO, LifeCycles, has an ongoing partnership with ACTAF, a Cuban national organization, in Havana in an effort to co-develop both Canadian and Cuba strategies for urban agriculture and local responses to food security. They are working on developing a Centre for the Promotion & Development of Urban Agriculture, supporting several organoponicos, building a womens community kitchen and developing a school garden program. Sharing successes and challenges of the LifeCycles-ACTAF cooperative organic urban agriculture program, Jacinda Fairholm, the International Project Coordinator, and Linden Huizinga, CIDA-intern, will be giving a talk, slide show and showing a video at 2 locations this week. All are welcome MORE INFO: contact Karine Jaouich

directions & contacts: FoodShare's Field to Table Centre in Toronto

Underworld flower economy

In Canada, the only flower that seems to make the news for bootlegging and underworld connections is off the top of a marijuana plant. Russia, a country I associate with the baddest of the bad in organized crime, are busy fighting smugglers of roses, tulips, and chrysanthemums. Go figure!

"Operatives of the economic crime department carried out an operation in the Moscow region, seizing two truckloads of flowers worth 600 thousand dollars.

Investigators have ascertained that roses, chrysanthemums and tulips had been shipped to a reloading point in Lithuania and then transported to Russia.

The smugglers tripped to one of warehouses outside Moscow, from which  businesses delivered the flowers to Moscow?s markets.

According to investigators, the group, which operated for years, registered the businesses through fronts. The sham companies usually disappeared after a month of operation.

Two nationals of Lithuania and four Russians have been detained in  this criminal case and charged with contraband.

Investigators do not rule out the smugglers operated hand in hand with  corrupt customs officials. "

Cattleya percivaliana

Christmas is late this year...my Cattleya percivaliana bloomed yesterday, a first for me. It's supposed to stink, but as far as I can tell, it's just a slight musty odour, nothing unpleasant.

The Orchid Works Web site has some great information on this species, which I've taken the liberty of reproducing here:

"Of all the Venezuelan labiate Cattleyas, C. percivaliana probably has the smallest plant stature (usually under 9-inches, 23cm). It is also the one that grows at the highest altitudes, from 1400 - 2000m. Fortunately, it is an adaptable species that will grow under a wide range of cultural conditions. Known as the 'Christmas Cattleya' because it rarely fails to bloom for that holiday. The flowers are of a good size, 4-5-inches (10-12.5cm), carried 2-4 per growth, and are found in several different color varieties. The typical color form is lavender with a darker lip and a splotch of old-gold in the throat. Perhaps the most unique feature of C. percivaliana is the foetid fragrance...somewhat like stinkbugs. This species is often found growing on rocks in full sun in its habitat. In cultivation, it enjoys bright light and good air movement. Provide ample water when in growth but allow a dry winter rest before flowering."

Looting in New Zealand

Trampers and hunters are being asked to help authorities stop the smuggling overseas of New Zealand's protected wildlife.

"Two Czech men were charged yesterday with taking numerous native orchids and plants from New Zealand national parks and smuggling them out of the country. If found guilty, they face fines of up to $100,000 and/or five years' jail.

Environmental watchdogs applauded the arrests and said charges relating to the smuggling of flowers and plants were rare. New Zealand has about 35 threatened species of orchids."

Urban agriculture out of control

At a time when urban agriculture is being advocated in North American cities as a path to sustainable living, it's good to be reminded of the dangers of automatically applying our solutions worldwide with a broad brush dipped in Western values. We can not stand in judgement or hope to be of any assistance to others without a deep understanding and respect for the unique challenges other countries and societies face:

Zimbabwe: Urban Farming Threatens Harare Water Sources: "Takawira Mubvami, a scientific programme co-ordinator with Municipal Development Programme (MDP) said ....urban agriculture (is) being practised 'willy-nilly' causing environmental degradation and pollution.

'It is difficult to stop because of urban poverty but as an organisation we are advocating for sustainable urban agriculture policies,' said Mubvami.

A study by the Environmental and Development Studies (ENDA-Zimbabwe) three years ago also noted that urban agriculture posed a serious threat to the urban environment.

'All sites (visited areas) had unacceptable levels of erosion. In addition, almost 90 percent of Harare's farmers use chemical fertilisers and nearly a third of 'off-plot' cultivation takes place near streams, swamps - leading to water pollution through runoff and leaching,' said the study."

Don't get me wrong -- I'm a strong advocate of *sustainable* urban agriculture. It's just good to be reminded of the importance of humility in seeking solutions to a better world.

More on urban agriculture:

RUAF: Resource Centre on Urban Agriculture and Forestry

City Farmer: Canada's Office of Urban Agriculture

 

Cities Feeding People Program

Looting in New Zealand

Trampers and hunters are being asked to help authorities stop the smuggling overseas of New Zealand's protected wildlife.

"Two Czech men were charged yesterday with taking numerous native orchids and plants from New Zealand national parks and smuggling them out of the country. If found guilty, they face fines of up to $100,000 and/or five years' jail.

Environmental watchdogs applauded the arrests and said charges relating to the smuggling of flowers and plants were rare. New Zealand has about 35 threatened species of orchids."

Orchids of the Great White North

Growing tropical orchids as I do indoors, it's easy to forget that orchids grow all over the world, and Ontario, Canada is no exception. In one special place, the Bruce Peninsula on Georgian Bay, 44 of 60 of Ontario's native species can be found growing, more varieties of orchid than any other area its size in Ontario, and possibly all of North America. The latitude, the moderating effect of the Great Lakes (which surround the Bruce on three sides), the calcium-rich soil of the Niagara Escarpment, and the wide variety of habitats found there seem to contribute to the large variety of native orchid species. I camped at the national park on Georgian Bay about 20 years ago, and still remember the funny little man who came wandering through our campsite, entirely oblivious to us and completely absorbed in inspecting the ground. He was dressed in safari clothes complete with a big hat and khaki shorts, wore round gold rim glasses, and was busy scribbling in a notepad. It was as though Mr. Magoo had come to life in front of my eyes. I couldn't resist interrupting him and asking him what he was doing. "Looking for orchids", he replied, and he became very animated as he discovered a ladies slipper not far from our tent. It struck me as an eccentric encounter at the time, but I never forgot that fellow. Years later, I even understand him. Given my interest in orchids, I may even go up there this year for the Bruce Peninsula Orchid Festival The folks at Yahoo Groups' "Native Orchid Conference" have been very kind in sending me information about blooming times and good locations to look. David McAdoo suggested these areas:      Walker Woods (outside of Sauble Beach) Oliphant (Federation of ON Naturalists preserve with boardwalk area along the lake shore) Petral Point (FON preserve near Red Bay) Alavar Preserve (another FON area along Hwy 6 near Miller Lake turn off - west side of the road) Dorcus Bay (a FON preserve) Flowerpot Island

# discuss