Kew’s Tropical Extravaganza – bursting with biodiversity and dripping with colour
Saturday 6 February to Sunday 7 March 2010
Press Preview: Thursday 4 February, 10am
Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew’s ‘Tropical Extravaganza’ and be transported
from the frosts of February to a sizzling orchid oasis dripping with colour. Set
in the balmy tropical zone of the Princess of Wales Conservatory, Tropical Extravaganza
is a spectacle of thousands of vibrant orchids and bromeliads.
Kew Gardens is home to one of the world's oldest and most comprehensive collection
of living orchids – the largest family of flowering plants on the planet – and this
festival will showcase their broad diversity. It kicks off Kew’s Year of Biodiversity,
a year long programme of events celebrating the importance of plants to us all in
the UN’s International Year of Biodiversity.
Wander through the Princess of Wales Conservatory past bright bursts of colour erupting
out of the tropical foliage. Tunnels dripping with orchids and bromeliads will lead
visitors to the glasshouse’s central pond where an island made up of orchids and
tropical plants with diverse colours and shapes will celebrate plant biodiversity.
This dramatic display will include spiky Miltassias, spiralling Dendrobiums and
cockleshell orchids (Prosthechea cochleata) with their octopus shaped flowers. Look
out for Kew’s ‘roving’ volunteer guides in the Princess of Wales Conservatory, who
will be on hand to chat to visitors about the displays and answer any questions
you may have.
The festival is also an opportunity to learn about the diverse characteristics of
orchids, their importance to people and vulnerability in the wild. The 25,000 described
species of orchid range from the subtle and dainty to the flamboyantly glamorous,
many of which are endangered and threatened in the wild. Orchids represent approximately
10% of the world’s flowering plants most of which thrive in the tropics. The Waterlily
House will also be transformed with displays highlighting Kew’s work around the
world to protect plants, particularly in biodiversity hotspots such as Madagascar.
Step behind the scenes...
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, (11 February to 4 March 2010), tour Kew's orchid nurseries
in the Tropical Nursery, which are usually closed to the public. You'll find out
about the techniques Kew's orchid experts use to care for the collection of living
orchids. The tours are also an opportunity to ask about caring for tropical plants
at home. While weekend visitors will be able to tour the entire Tropical Nursery
every Saturday (13 February to 6 March 2010).
At 6,500 square metres the Tropical Nursery is even larger than the Temperate House
and home to thousands of plants housed in 21 climatic zones. In here, thousands
of plants are raised for research and display out in the glass houses.
Free Tropical Fruits Hands-on Sessions...
Throughout the festival RBG Kew’s volunteer guides will delight you with a display
of tropical food – some familiar, some weird and wonderful (Wednesdays and Sundays,
2 to 4pm, Secluded Garden Glasshouse). Find out where they come from, how they grow
and what they smell and taste like.
Learn how to Grow Orchids at Home...
Pick up a copy of ‘Growing Windowsill Orchids' (special offer price £3.50) by orchid
expert, Philip Seaton from Kew’s Victoria Plaza shop, which is packed with tips
on how to succeed with orchids in your home, including what to look for when buying
orchids, caring for your orchid and how to get it to flower again year after year.
Orchids that feature range from the popular Phalaenopsis (moth orchid) which can
easily be picked up on the high street, to the butterfly orchid, Oncidium (commonly
known as the ‘dancing ladies’) and the perennially popular slipper orchids.