Proposed FOPBGS activities for Jul to Dec 2019

Hi All,

Please be on the look out for the following activities planned for the rest of the Year 2019.

a) Vermi-composting Aug/Sept
b) Cooking: Nasi Kerabu -Sept
c) PPST -school activity -Sept
d) Bird Watching at the Gardens - Oct
e) Cooking: Capati making - Nov
f) Cooking: Lemuni Rice - Dec

Please check with the Mr. Zaki at the office or your email for confirmed dates.

Thank you and hope to see you there.

March Activity for Members- visit to an Organic Farm

We are having a trip to Mgreen Organic Farms in MBI Desaku, Kulim District, on Sat 16 March 2019. Meet at 10.30am at the Site. See location map posted. Visit should be about 1-2 hrs.

All interested please give your name to Zaki at Botanika Outreach or email botanika.penang@gmail.com by the March 10, 2019 as we have only places for 20 pax. There is no charge for this event. Transport and food are each own responsibility.

Directions:

Cross Penang Bridge, go north towards Sg. Petani. At the interchange of the N-S expressway and BKE, turn East onto the BKE heading to Kulim. Head East all the way past Kulim Hi -tech park and continue in the direction of Baling. You will pass the MBI Desaku main entrance and turn at the convention center junction. Go left and proceed to the Guardhouse entrance. Tell them you are visiting the Organic Farm . Park you car in front of "Golden Kingdom entertainment outlet"

January Events: Talk by Mr Samson Chong on Air Plants

The members’ event in January was a talk about Air Plants (Tillandsias) for beginners, by Mr Samson Chong, a local enthusiast. It was held at the Botanika Outreach on Jan 19^th from 9.30am to 1.00pm.  

It was attended by 18 members, with a diverse range of interests in Air Plants or Tillandsia.

The Agenda for the morning was divided into two sections  - a presentation on what are air-plants, the various types and care and in the second half, a demonstration on how to mount them as well as a DIY session.

Air plants are an exotic type of epiphyte from the Bromeliad family. They are native to the forests, mountains and deserts of northern

Mexico , south-eastern United States, Mesoamerica and the Caribbean to mid Argentina. They are protected in some countries and are left to grow in the wild. Those that are sold are cultivated.

They are popular as decorative plants requiring minimal care. Most Tillandsia species are epiphytes – which translates to 'upon a plant'. They are also commonly known as Air plants as they absorb nutrients from the air through breathing and feeding hairs called trichomes in the leaves. The roots are merely to anchor themselves.

Samson Chong explaining the type of Air plant species to an attentive audience.

The three main types of common Air plants samples shown were: 

a) The Tillandsia ionantha:

 Tillandsia ionantha is also known as the sky plant. It is a species native to Central America and Mexico.  This is the most common tillandsia and is used mostly as decoration as the plant turns red when it's blooming.

b) Tillandsia xerographica:

Xerographica are known as the "Queen of Air Plants" for good reason! They are the perfect air plant to have due to their beautiful re-curving leaf structure and amazing bloom spikes.  They can tolerate bright light and go longer periods without water than most other plants.

                 

c)Tillandsia duratti:

Tillandsia Durati is a drought-tolerant air plant with fuzzy silvery leaves that curl up at the tips. It has amazing structure and is originally from the Great Chaco region (western Bolivia, eastern Paraguay, and northern Argentina). It is extremely drought resistant. It is also known as the monkey plant as it can slowly grow up tall trees.

In the second part of the session, the members were given a starter’s kit, consisting of an air-plant and a ‘root’ mount to attach the air-plant. The glue is non-toxic variety and does not harm the plant .Not all glues are suitable. Gluing it on the mount is similar to an epiphyte growing on a tree trunk or branch. Wires can also be used to mount the plant. Copper is extremely poisonous to air plants and should not be used. Iron or aluminium are usually used.

Spray watering about once in two days, is sufficient for the plant to flourish in a partially sunny area. These plants are slow growing and may take up to 2 years to reach appropriate size of maturity.

Members attaching Air plants to ‘root’ mounts

The group then participated actively in a Q&A session with Samson Chong, before some light refreshments were served.

Attaching the plant on.

On behalf of the committee, we would like to thank, Mr Samson Chong of AugustFame, who can be reached via facebook or email at augustfame88@gmail.com.  for the enlightening talk and demonstration.

Demonstration and Talk on “Air-Plants” (Tillandsia)

Members Activity January Event:  Demonstration and Talk on “Air-Plants” (Tillandsia).

The Society is organizing a Demonstration and Talk by Samson Chong on Air Plants, for the members as follows:

Date: Sat 19 Jan 2019

Venue: Botanika Outreach

Time: 9.30am to 12.30 noon

Cost:  Presentation Lecture 

           Demonstration of mounting Air plants onto driftwood - RM20 per pax. for members  
           Open to public at RM30 per pax. (includes: air plant, glue and mounting kit).         .

           Light refreshments will be served.

Air plants are an exotic type of epiphytes from the Bromeliad family. They are native to the forests, mountains and deserts of northern

Mexico and south-eastern United States, Mesoamerica and the Caribbean to mid Argentina.

They are popular as decorative plants requiring minimal care. Most Tillandsia species are epiphytes – which translates to 'upon a plant'. They are also commonly known as Air plants. Local market prices range from RM15 to over RM250.

To register for this, please contact Zaki, via phone (01120847739) or email botanika.penang@gmail.com by Jan 16^st, 2019. Payments will be collected on the day of the presentation itself. Thank you.