4 methods this large-scale botanic garden uses to manage pests | Pest Control | Gardening Australia
Published at : September 21, 2021
Tino learns about the innovative pest management systems at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Subscribe 🔔 http://ab.co/GA-subscribe
2020 may have been the International Year of Plant Health, but for the team at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, plant health is a priority all year, every year. These magnificent gardens, established in 1818, and home to significant plant collections, are the custodians of Tasmania’s extraordinary flora and play a leading role in the conservation and cultivation of rare and threatened plant species. Chris Lang, Curator of the Tasmanian Flora Collection at the RTBG explains that “it is imperative that our plants remain pest free, so that we are able to continue our conservation work and maintain the health and vitality of these living collections”.
But in a public site as large and valuable as the RTBG, surely pest control relies on the use of chemicals – pesticides, fungicides and miticides - to keep plants in top condition? “Absolutely not” says Chris “we only ever use chemicals as a last resort, and they are low to no toxic selections”. Instead, these historic gardens rely on a technique called Integrated Pest Management.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an environmentally friendly, common sense approach to controlling pests and diseases and can be applied to any landscape, from backyard to a botanic garden, footpath to farm. Four main categories of pest controls form IPM's foundation: physical, cultural, biological and chemical controls. “These elements work hand-in-hand to provide targeted, effective, long-term pest management, and each plays a role in protecting our plants” says Chris.
Featured Plants:
SOUTHPORT HEATH - Epacris stuartii
PURPLE CORAL PEA - Hardenbergia violacea
TRIGGERPLANT - Stylidium sp.
Featured Species
HOVERFLY - Family Syrphidae
LACEWING - Family Chrysopidae
PREDATORY MITE - Phytoseiulus persimilis
Filmed on palawa Country | Hobart, Tas
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Gardening Australia is an ABC TV program providing gardening know-how and inspiration. Presented by Australia's leading horticultural experts, Gardening Australia is a valuable resource to all gardeners through the television program, the magazine, books, DVDs and extensive online content.
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___________________________________________
This is an official Australian Broadcasting Corporation YouTube channel. Contributions may be removed if they violate ABC's Online Conditions of Use http://www.abc.net.au/conditions.htm (Section 3).
2020 may have been the International Year of Plant Health, but for the team at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, plant health is a priority all year, every year. These magnificent gardens, established in 1818, and home to significant plant collections, are the custodians of Tasmania’s extraordinary flora and play a leading role in the conservation and cultivation of rare and threatened plant species. Chris Lang, Curator of the Tasmanian Flora Collection at the RTBG explains that “it is imperative that our plants remain pest free, so that we are able to continue our conservation work and maintain the health and vitality of these living collections”.
But in a public site as large and valuable as the RTBG, surely pest control relies on the use of chemicals – pesticides, fungicides and miticides - to keep plants in top condition? “Absolutely not” says Chris “we only ever use chemicals as a last resort, and they are low to no toxic selections”. Instead, these historic gardens rely on a technique called Integrated Pest Management.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an environmentally friendly, common sense approach to controlling pests and diseases and can be applied to any landscape, from backyard to a botanic garden, footpath to farm. Four main categories of pest controls form IPM's foundation: physical, cultural, biological and chemical controls. “These elements work hand-in-hand to provide targeted, effective, long-term pest management, and each plays a role in protecting our plants” says Chris.
Featured Plants:
SOUTHPORT HEATH - Epacris stuartii
PURPLE CORAL PEA - Hardenbergia violacea
TRIGGERPLANT - Stylidium sp.
Featured Species
HOVERFLY - Family Syrphidae
LACEWING - Family Chrysopidae
PREDATORY MITE - Phytoseiulus persimilis
Filmed on palawa Country | Hobart, Tas
___________________________________________
Gardening Australia is an ABC TV program providing gardening know-how and inspiration. Presented by Australia's leading horticultural experts, Gardening Australia is a valuable resource to all gardeners through the television program, the magazine, books, DVDs and extensive online content.
Watch more: http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/gardening-australia
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gardeningaustralia
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/gardeningaustralia
Web: http://www.abc.net.au/gardening
___________________________________________
This is an official Australian Broadcasting Corporation YouTube channel. Contributions may be removed if they violate ABC's Online Conditions of Use http://www.abc.net.au/conditions.htm (Section 3).
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