17 Apr (Sat): Talk on "Conservation of Native Orchids in Singapore"

Dr Yam Tim Wing will share about the orchid conservation programme that has successfully propagated and re-introduced 5 species of native orchids.
These include the spectacular Tiger orchid (Grammatophyllum speciosum).
And the intriguing Bulbophyllum. These orchids are not only rare and beautiful, but some of them mass bloom providing a spectacular sight!

About 226 species of native orchids have been recorded in Singapore over the years. Of these 178 are considered to be extinct, and only five are common.

The orchid conservation programme aims to monitor existing species, explore ways to conserve their germplasm, and increase their numbers in natural, semi-natural, and urban environments. This will be carried out through ex-situ seedling culture and subsequent re-introduction into appropriate habitats, including roadside trees, parks and natural areas.

In the first phase of the programme, these 5 species of native orchids were successfully propagated and re-introduced: Grammatophyllum speciosum, Bulbophyllum vaginatum, Bulbophyllum membranaceum, Cymbidium finlaysonianum and Cymbidium bicolor. Starting in October 2009, a new phase was launched which aims to introduce two new species every year. Over the next three years, nearly 5500 plants will be planted.

Dr Yam Tim Wing is a Senior Researcher at the Singapore Botanic Gardens responsible for the orchid breeding program and administers a programme designed to conserve the native orchids of Singapore by propagating and reintroducing these species into natural areas in the country. He is a frequent speaker at international orchid conferences and is the author of “Orchids of the Singapore Botanic Gardens”, a book published by NParks.

Time: 3-4pm
Venue: Bukit Merah Library
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

More links

• When Orchids Flower Gregariously by Dr Yam Tim Wing.
• Saving our orchids and enjoying them too Botanic Gardens digs in to rescue endangered species and revive others, Grace Chua, Straits Times 9 Jun 09
• Cymbly Great! The rediscovery of Cymbidium bicolor spp. pubescens in Sungei Buloh by Joseph Lai in the Wetlands magazine.
• The Tiger Roams Again about a blooming Tiger orchid on the Garden Voices blog.
• Bulbophyllum vaginatum about a mass bloom on the Garden Voices blog.
• Conservation and Reintroduction of Singapore’s Native Orchids to Pulau Ubin Gardenwise Vol 27, Jul 2006 (pdf)