Plants: Science and Cultivation Botany, horticulture, botanical gardens, practical training, higher education, and more. Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:39:56 +0000 Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:39:56 +0000 UBC Botanical Garden Forums https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/plants-science-and-cultivation.24/ Styrax japonica 'Pink Chimes' Wed, 05 Mar 2025 20:34:10 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/styrax-japonica-pink-chimes.105046/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/styrax-japonica-pink-chimes.105046/ invalid@example.com (Anne Kivari) Anne Kivari
I planted a small Styrax Japonica 'Pink Chimes' in my garden a few years ago and it did fine until a very severe cold spell hit after a warm period. The top died off and I cut it back to just above the graft and now it has sent out multiple shoots from the rootstock which I think might be Styrax j. 'Emerald Pagoda'. I am hoping to nurture this along to see what becomes of it. Should I reduce the new shoots down to a few in order to encourage a strong central leader or two or should...

Styrax japonica 'Pink Chimes']]> Discarding foods in the garden Sat, 28 Dec 2024 20:44:07 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/discarding-foods-in-the-garden.104961/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/discarding-foods-in-the-garden.104961/ invalid@example.com (wazungy) wazungy
I need the certainty of professional advice.
My common sense is not acceptable.

My girl friend loves to grow plants.
Recently she started burying discarded food in the garden near plants she wants to feed.
I have tried to stop this by telling her that the food must first compost, but she insists it will compost in the ground and is good for the plants.

Today I had to stop her from pouring 2 litres of old cooking oil into a 1.5 foot hole near a hydrangia and a small tree.
I insist...

Discarding foods in the garden]]> 23 Rapid evolution in an invasive plant Sun, 25 Aug 2024 17:01:21 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/rapid-evolution-in-an-invasive-plant.104664/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/rapid-evolution-in-an-invasive-plant.104664/ invalid@example.com (Michael F) Michael F Impatiens glandulifera is evolving fast in Britain, with smaller leaves, fewer stomata, and larger flowers, in the 150 years it has been here:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-69710-y.pdf]]> 4 Plant "paranoia" Sun, 25 Aug 2024 01:20:02 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/plant-paranoia.104681/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/plant-paranoia.104681/ invalid@example.com (BillMcEnaney) BillMcEnaney
Plant "paranoia"]]> Cherry laurel intertwined with a fig tree Tue, 13 Aug 2024 21:27:17 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/cherry-laurel-intertwined-with-a-fig-tree.104624/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/cherry-laurel-intertwined-with-a-fig-tree.104624/ invalid@example.com (TomislavaZ) TomislavaZ 1 I used spent espresso coffee grinds to pH Down my water. What would happen if I used it? Wed, 22 May 2024 05:06:16 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/i-used-spent-espresso-coffee-grinds-to-ph-down-my-water-what-would-happen-if-i-used-it.104462/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/i-used-spent-espresso-coffee-grinds-to-ph-down-my-water-what-would-happen-if-i-used-it.104462/ invalid@example.com (ice minus) ice minus KIS Mix Blended Soil | Black Swallow Living Soils, Brantford ON (blackswallowsoil.com)
However our tap water here in Waterloo region is outrageously hard, and outrageously...

I used spent espresso coffee grinds to pH Down my water. What would happen if I used it?]]> Distribution of Aristolochia clematitis sp. Sat, 27 Apr 2024 08:32:09 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/distribution-of-aristolochia-clematitis-sp.104371/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/distribution-of-aristolochia-clematitis-sp.104371/ invalid@example.com (MLaure1968) MLaure1968
I am trying to find informations on the geographical distribution of Aristolochia, especially in Europe. I just found a software called EuroVegMap emphasizing the areas where the plant can grow but I am looking for other sources like the Atlas Florae Europaeae Volume 3. Has anyone access to this book ? If yes, could you tell me if there is a map of the Aristolochia distribution in the book ?
If you have other ideas on where I would find more informations on the plant distribution,...

Distribution of Aristolochia clematitis sp.]]> 3 Giant Scottish blueberry! Sun, 17 Mar 2024 00:11:26 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/giant-scottish-blueberry.103543/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/giant-scottish-blueberry.103543/ invalid@example.com (togata57) togata57 Scientists are creating a new variety of blueberry which will grow in Scotland – and be three times bigger than usual.

Yikes!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/science...ve-Scottish-climate-itll-size-STRAWBERRY.html]]> 2 Fascinating faciation Mon, 26 Feb 2024 08:06:56 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/fascinating-faciation.104130/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/fascinating-faciation.104130/ invalid@example.com (Margot) Margot View attachment 247637

“Evolved To Be A Weapon”: 133 Unique And Fascinating Fasciated Plants | Bored Panda]]> Plant science for plant lovers without botanical degrees Thu, 11 Jan 2024 18:12:09 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/plant-science-for-plant-lovers-without-botanical-degrees.103955/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/plant-science-for-plant-lovers-without-botanical-degrees.103955/ invalid@example.com (MKH) MKH
https://alphaomegaplants.com/]]> The AROMA of Fresh Cut Grass Mon, 18 Dec 2023 21:51:10 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/the-aroma-of-fresh-cut-grass.99428/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/the-aroma-of-fresh-cut-grass.99428/ invalid@example.com (scilover) scilover petrichor" means the smell of rain after a long dry-spell. Then it should be a name for the smell that produced after we mowed our lawn, right?

[​IMG]]]> 8 (PBS Program) Ancient Earth: Life Rising Fri, 20 Oct 2023 06:34:20 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/pbs-program-ancient-earth-life-rising.103764/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/pbs-program-ancient-earth-life-rising.103764/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Ancient Earth: Life Rising | NOVA - PBS​
(PBS Program) Ancient Earth: Life Rising]]> B.C. strawberries in winter? Researchers hope so Wed, 11 Oct 2023 03:50:28 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/b-c-strawberries-in-winter-researchers-hope-so.103750/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/b-c-strawberries-in-winter-researchers-hope-so.103750/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper B.C. strawberries in winter? Researchers hope so​
]]> Transplanting advanced trees Sun, 16 Jul 2023 19:52:00 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/transplanting-advanced-trees.103311/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/transplanting-advanced-trees.103311/ invalid@example.com (Puddleton) Puddleton I’m aiming to prepare several advanced Fagus sylvatica and Malus floribunda for transplanting during our winter of 2024 (being july 2024)
Opinions and further advice to my strategy are warmly welcomed and appreciated.
I have access to machinery that are large enough to manage the project

background
The trees were planted 8-10 yrs ago and are located on a 45cm deep compacted clay shale sub soil.
Top soil texture is a silty / clay loam
Irrigation practices have been regular...

Transplanting advanced trees]]> 2 Trees consuming things Sat, 13 May 2023 22:54:04 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/trees-consuming-things.102814/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/trees-consuming-things.102814/ invalid@example.com (Margot) Margot
121 Interesting Pictures Of "Hungry" Trees Sucking On Things | Bored Panda

[​IMG]]]> 4 How do i force (encourage) a plant to flower and fruit at a younger age? Sat, 13 May 2023 22:37:36 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/how-do-i-force-encourage-a-plant-to-flower-and-fruit-at-a-younger-age.102871/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/how-do-i-force-encourage-a-plant-to-flower-and-fruit-at-a-younger-age.102871/ invalid@example.com (Soumil Yarlagadda) Soumil Yarlagadda
In short, i want to shorten the vegetative/juvenile phase of a seedling and bring it directly to flowering. could this happen?

Thanks, Soumil
useful links i found so...

How do i force (encourage) a plant to flower and fruit at a younger age?]]> 5 Holly Bushes and Epigenetics Wed, 19 Apr 2023 20:58:04 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/holly-bushes-and-epigenetics.103036/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/holly-bushes-and-epigenetics.103036/ invalid@example.com (1Down5Up) 1Down5Up
My question is if anybody has observed this and also, does anybody know for a fact...

Holly Bushes and Epigenetics]]> 5 Tectona grandis (Teak) in Southeast Asia Mon, 02 Jan 2023 06:11:07 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/tectona-grandis-teak-in-southeast-asia.103087/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/tectona-grandis-teak-in-southeast-asia.103087/ invalid@example.com (teff.grain) teff.grain 2 Article: A former geologist imports a popular Chinese model to grow veggies year-round in Alberta Wed, 14 Sep 2022 16:44:42 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/article-a-former-geologist-imports-a-popular-chinese-model-to-grow-veggies-year-round-in-alberta.101761/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/article-a-former-geologist-imports-a-popular-chinese-model-to-grow-veggies-year-round-in-alberta.101761/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper A former geologist imports a popular Chinese model to grow veggies year-round in Alberta's harsh climate​
]]> 1 Why are new leaves brighter green? Sun, 11 Sep 2022 20:31:06 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/why-are-new-leaves-brighter-green.102807/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/why-are-new-leaves-brighter-green.102807/ invalid@example.com (allelopath) allelopath 3 Twisted Tree Breaks...Possible Causes? Sun, 12 Jun 2022 23:42:10 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/twisted-tree-breaks-possible-causes.87521/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/twisted-tree-breaks-possible-causes.87521/ invalid@example.com (dmaker) dmaker
Thank-you!]]> 7 Tip-pruning Sat, 26 Mar 2022 23:17:43 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/tip-pruning.102077/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/tip-pruning.102077/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper
Question: What is the maximum length of stem that can be removed for it to be considered as tip-pruning and to generate the same effect as removing just the small bit at the end? Reason for the question? Sometimes, due to oversight or neglect, a stem is allowed to grow longer than desired before being pruned.]]> 1 How to measure the age of Hemlock tree ? Mon, 28 Feb 2022 18:40:03 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/how-to-measure-the-age-of-hemlock-tree.101981/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/how-to-measure-the-age-of-hemlock-tree.101981/ invalid@example.com (ptjmliao) ptjmliao 6 Unusual Fig Leaf Formation Wed, 23 Feb 2022 17:51:54 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/unusual-fig-leaf-formation.101968/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/unusual-fig-leaf-formation.101968/ invalid@example.com (KBD53) KBD53 View attachment 222556]]> 5 Scarification and cold stratification Sun, 13 Feb 2022 00:56:48 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/scarification-and-cold-stratification.101506/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/scarification-and-cold-stratification.101506/ invalid@example.com (parry willis) parry willis As the title of this post states, I am looking for information on how to properly go about scarifying and/or cold stratifying. I find human interaction helps with the learning process, which is why I’m here. That being said, I’d be happy to list off the seeds I have that require one or the other of these process but...

Scarification and cold stratification]]> 6