Ep. 259 - Micropropagating Orchids at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

What does it take to go from orchid seed to orchid adult? Today you are going to find out. Joining us from the Atlanta Botanical Garden is Micropropagation and Seed Bank Coordinator, Jason Ligon. Jason is in charge of propagating some of North America's rarest plants with the goal of returning them to the wild. As you will learn, orchids and other small-seeded plants require special techniques to ensure fer germination and growth but that doesn't deter Jason. He loves all of the learning that comes with new challenges. With the help of his colleagues, volunteers, and partners, Jason is ensuring that rare orchids and other species of conservation concern have a future on this planet. This episode was produced in part by Vaibhav, Kendall, Christina, Brett, Jocelyn, Kathleen, Ethan, Kaylee, Runaway Goldfish, Ryan, Donna, Donica, Chris, Shamora, Alana, Laura, Alice, Sarah, Rachel, Joanna, Griff, Philip, Paul, Matthew, Clark, Bobby, Kate, Steven, Brittney, McMansion Hell, Joey, Catherine, Brandon, Hall, Vegreville Creek and Wetlands Fund, Kevin, Oliver, John, Johansson, Christina, Jared, Hannah, Katy Pye, Brandon, Gwen, Carly, Stephen, Botanical Tours, Moonwort Studios, Liba, Mohsin Kazmi Takes Pictures, doeg, Clifton, Stephanie, Benjamin, Eli, Rachael, Plant By Design, Philip, Brent, Ron, Tim, Homestead Brooklyn, Brodie, Kevin, Sophia, Mark, Rens, Bendix, Irene, Holly, Caitlin, Manuel, Jennifer, Sara, and Margie.

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Ep. 254 - Native Plant Trust

Native Plant Trust has one major goal in mind: conserving and promoting New England's native plants. Founded in 1900, Native Plant Trust is America's oldest plant conservation organization. Since then, it has gone through some name changes (Society for the Protection of Native Plants, New England Wild Flower Society) but its mission has remained the same. Join me as I sit down for a conversation with their Director of Horticulture, Uli Lorimer, to talk about his journey into growing and conserving plants, and how Native Plant Trust's mission is helping New England's botanical legacy be a major part of its future. This episode was produced in part by Kathleen, Ethan, Kaylee, Runaway Goldfish, Ryan, Donna, Donica, Chris, Shamora, Alana, Laura, Alice, Sarah, Rachel, Joanna, Griff, Philip, Paul, Matthew, Clark, Bobby, Kate, Steven, Brittney, McMansion Hell, Joey, Catherine, Brandon, Hall, Vegreville Creek and Wetlands Fund, Kevin, Oliver, John, Johansson, Christina, Jared, Hannah, Katy Pye, Brandon, Gwen, Carly, Stephen, Botanical Tours, Moonwort Studios, Liba, Mohsin Kazmi Takes Pictures, doeg, Clifton, Stephanie, Benjamin, Eli, Rachael, Plant By Design, Philip, Brent, Ron, Tim, Homestead Brooklyn, Brodie, Kevin, Sophia, Mark, Rens, Bendix, Irene, Holly, Caitlin, Manuel, Jennifer, Sara, and Margie.

Learn more about Native Plant Trust

Check out their Go Botany page

Follow Native Plant Trust on Twitter (@nativeplanttrst) and Instagram (@nativeplanttrust)

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Ep. 243 - Plant Exploration with Dan Hinkley

For Author, Plant Collector, and lecturer Dan Hinkley, plants have been a lifelong obsession. Dan has spent the last few decades traveling the world in pursuit of meeting new plants. He keeps a living library of these travels at both Heronswood Nursery and Windcliff Gardens in Washington. Dan Hinkley is a true phytophyle and his passion for plants is obvious in everything he does. When he isn't exploring the world for plants, Dan also write books and gives lectures on his intimate knowledge of the botanical realm. Join us for a conversation about our mutual love of all things botany. This episode was produced in part by Shamora, Alana, Laura, Alice, Sarah, Rachel, Joanna, Griff, Philip, Paul, Matthew, Clark, Bobby, Kate, Steven, Brittney, McMansion Hell, Joey, Catherine, Brandon, Hall, Vegreville Creek and Wetlands Fund, Kevin, Oliver, John, Johansson, Christina, Jared, Hannah, Katy Pye, Brandon, Gwen, Carly, Stephen, Botanical Tours, Moonwort Studios, Liba, Mohsin Kazmi Takes Pictures, doeg, Clifton, Stephanie, Benjamin, Eli, Rachael, Plant By Design, Philip, Brent, Ron, Tim, Homestead Brooklyn, Brodie, Kevin, Sophia, Mark, Rens, Bendix, Irene, Holly, Caitlin, Manuel, Jennifer, Sara, and Margie.

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Ep. 237 - The Fall of the Torreya & What is Being Done to Save It

"Torreya was so common until it wasn't and then it started crashing like falling giants..." Within the span of a few decades, the torreya pine (Torreya taxifolia) has become one of the most endangered trees in the world. Luckily a small group of conservation-minded individuals came together to try and save this species. The Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance, along with their partners, are leading the way in torreya conservation. From ex situ collections to studying the ecological nuances of its niche, they are giving this tree a fighting chance. Joining us to discuss this work is Conservation Coordinator Jennifer Ceska. Listen in as she tells the story of their fight to save this incredible tree from the brink of extinction. This episode was produced in part by Joanna, Griff, Philip, Paul, Matthew, Clark, Bobby, Kate, Steven, Brittney, McMansion Hell, Joey, Catherine, Brandon, Hall, Vegreville Creek and Wetlands Fund, Kevin, Oliver, John, Johansson, Christina, Jared, Hannah, Katy Pye, Brandon, Gwen, Carly, Stephen, Botanical Tours, Moonwort Studios, Liba, Mohsin Kazmi Takes Pictures, doeg, Clifton, Stephanie, Benjamin, Eli, Rachael, Plant By Design, Philip, Brent, Ron, Tim, Homestead Brooklyn, Brodie, Kevin, Sophia, Mark, Rens, Bendix, Irene, Holly, Caitlin, Manuel, Jennifer, Sara, and Margie.

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Ep. 230 - Cryogenic Conservation

Seed banking is an extremely important component of plant conservation but what do you do with seeds that don't store well? A considerable number of plant species produce seeds that die when placed into seed banks. Are these species destined to be lost forever if things go south? Not if my guest can help it. Karin van der Walt is the Conservation and Science Advisor for New Zealand's Otari Native Botanic Garden and she specializes in cryopreservation of some of the rarest trees on our planet. Join us as we discuss what it takes to save trees that don't lend well to being saved! This episode was produced in part by Griff, Philip, Paul, Matthew, Clark, Bobby, Kate, Steven, Brittney, McMansion Hell, Joey, Catherine, Brandon, Hall, Vegreville Creek and Wetlands Fund, Kevin, Oliver, John, Johansson, Christina, Jared, Hannah, Katy Pye, Brandon, Gwen, Carly, Stephen, Botanical Tours, Moonwort Studios, Lisa, Liba, Lucas, Mohsin Kazmi Takes Pictures, doeg, Clifton, Stephanie, Benjamin, Eli, Rachael, Anthony, Plant By Design, Philip, Brent, Ron, Tim, Homestead Brooklyn, Brodie, Kevin, Sophia, Brian, Mark, Rens, Bendix, Irene, Holly, Caitlin, Manuel, Jennifer, Sara, and Margie.

Send Karin an email: Karin.VanderWalt@wcc.govt.nz

Learn more about her work

Learn more about the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Watch a video about cryopreservation

Listen to my episode of Planted: Finding your roots in STEM careers

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Ep. 222 - Celebrating Botanical Nerdom

My guest today is head over heels for plants and wants to do everything she can to get more people on board the botany train. Sandy Masuo is an author, editor, and all around plant nut. She hosts many workshops and talks on a variety of plant-related topics but her latest obsession are succulents. From the up's and down's of common names to the implications for conservation, Sandy's passion for the botanical world is inspiring. Join us for a fun and interesting discussion about our mutual love for growing plants and educating the public. This episode was produced in part by Kate, Steven, Brittney, McMansion Hell, Joey, Catherine, Brandon, Hall, Vegreville Creek and Wetlands Fund, Kevin, Oliver, John, Johansson, Christina, Jared, Hannah, Katy Pye, Brandon, Gwen, Carly, Stephen, Botanical Tours, Moonwort Studios, Lisa, Liba, Lucas, Mohsin Kazmi Takes Pictures, doeg, Clifton, Stephanie, Rachelle, Benjamin, Eli, Rachael, Anthony, Plant By Design, Philip, Brent, Ron, Tim, Homestead Brooklyn, Brodie, Kevin, Sophia, Brian, Mark, Rens, Bendix, Irene, Holly, Caitlin, Manuel, Jennifer, Sara, and Margie.

Pick up a copy of Unnatural Selection

Check out Sandy’s upcoming speaking events: [1] [2] [3]

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Ep. 211 - The Botanical Treasures of Steppes

For Mike Bone, propagating and growing plants is not just a hobby or a job, it's a way of life. Mike is the curator of the steppe collections at the Denver Botanic Gardens and his love affair with these plants rings true in everything he does. Steppes are important ecosystems, both ecological and culturally and yet they are all too often overlooked. As you will hear, Mike's work is about more than just putting pretty plants on display. It is also about conservation and education. Mike's passion for the plants of steppe habitats is intoxicating and hopefully inspires others to grow plants as well. Join us for a celebration of all things steppe veg! This episode was produced in part by Cat, Catherine, Brandon, Hall, Vegreville Creek and Wetlands Fund, Kevin, Oliver, John, Johansson, Christina, Jared, Hannah, Katy Pye, Brandon, Gwen, Carly, Stephen, Botanical Tours, Moonwort Studios, Lisa, Liba, Lucas, Mohsin Kazmi Takes Pictures, doeg, Clifton, Stephanie, Rachelle, Benjamin, Eli, Rachael, Anthony, Plant By Design, Philip, Brent, Ron, Tim, Homestead Brooklyn, Brodie, Kevin, Sophia, Brian, Mark, Rens, Bendix, Irene, Holly, Caitlin, Manuel, Jennifer, Sara, and Margie.

Click here to learn more about the Denver Botanical Gardens

Follow the #steppesuns hashtag on Instagram

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