Botanic Gardens of Sydney

🚨 BRANCH OUT IS BACK 🚨 Hit follow on your favourite podcast app to discover the surprising world of plants. New episode goes live on Saturday!👇 🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3erCypE 🎧 Apple: https://apple.co/3PZPua8

Late last Thursday night horticulturalist Alyse cut a precise square into Putricia and inserted a soft paintbrush covered in pollen to dust the female flowers. 24 hours later, the team went back in with a spoon to carefully scrape pollen off the male flowers. That pollen is currently undergoing tests in the lab, while back in the nursery we're waiting to see if the female flowers will begin to swell into what could total 400 plump red fruits. This global conservation work can help protect Amorphophallus titanum in their native habitat by strengthening the genetic pedigree of the wild plants - much like the work done with endangered animal populations.

#WeWatchedTheFlower Putricia has now been moved from the Palm House and taken to our nursery. The matured pollen has been safely stored at our PlantBank at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan. Stay tuned for behind the scenes updates on her progress. What was your favourite part of visiting Putricia?

A touch of Victorian drama and a Lynchian twist inspired Sophie Daniel, Manager of Interpretation & Placemaking, in adorning Putricia's throne. From your walk down the red carpet to admiring the velvet curtains, how many references from film and history can you find when you visit our blooming Bunga Bangkai? #sydneycorpseflower #wwtf #wdrnp

Early this morning Putricia the Amorphophallus titanum had a temperature of 25°C. A reading taken at 11.30am gave 26.5°C. What does that mean for our blooming Bunga Bangkai? Chief Scientist Professor Brett Summerell thinks this could be indicating the start of thermogenesis. He thinks we might be looking at a full bloom beginning tonight or tomorrow, as the spathe is darkening and things are loosening up. Opening hours for today will remain at 8 am to 6pm but will be extended to 8am to midnight once the actual bloom (and the smell) begins. Entry is via Woolloomooloo Gate, opposite Art Gallery NSW. Be the first to see it happen via the livestream: https://lnkd.in/g4vpyUGe #SydneyCorpseFlower

Did you know that we have a podcast? In this special edition of Branch Out, go behind the scenes with the Curator Manager of Royal Botanic Garden Sydney to hear how this weekend's Amorphophallus titanum bloom has been years in the making. Listen now: https://spoti.fi/4gWhbxT #SydneyCorpseFlower

Putricia was clocking in at 19°C this afternoon... Chief Scientist Professor Brett Summerell is predicting that this could mean we reach full bloom late on Saturday or even Sunday. We'll be back open at 8am tomorrow morning regardless and will stay open until late - weather permitting of course. When exactly do YOU think Putricia will open? Get your guesses in now, and tune in to the livestream to look for clues: https://lnkd.in/g4vpyUGe #SydneyCorpseFlower

Exciting news! We've decided to put the Corpse Flower on public display, starting at 8am today and opening until late (weather dependent). The spathe has not opened, so don’t expect a stink yet, but you can check the livestream to see the current status of the plant before planning your visit. Check out the web page for further information and map of how to get there: https://lnkd.in/gSg7GHYK #SydneyCorpseFlower

Watch Putricia begin to bloom live from the oldest glasshouse in New South Wales: Palm House 👀 We've had no growth overnight, which means we're getting closer... See the Corpse Flower change in real time: https://lnkd.in/g-aKbiDY Palm House is currently closed to the public, but once Putricia begins to open you'll be able to take a whiff yourself between 8am and midnight the following day. That could be any time from tomorrow onwards, so stay tuned for signs that it's getting closer! Things to look out for include the frilly spathe starting to loosen up and change colour as it prepares to open into the famous crimson skirt. #SydneyCorpseFlower

Splish, splash. Why not cool down this summer with some Wild Water Dreaming? Join our First Nations guides for an aquatic day out at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, where children can learn about the importance of our waterways through fun games and timeless stories. Grab your best water play gear and get ready to make a splash - book in for a session on 15, 22 or 29 January 🌊 https://bit.ly/3ZDjXlj