Can I collect seeds for Kew?

Kew's seed collecting is carried out according to CITES regulations and in agreement with our global partners. The Convention was established with the aim of controlling and monitoring the international trade in plants and animals considered to be threatened, or likely to become threatened, and affected by such trade. Generally, the Convention does not prohibit the international trade in listed species, but seeks to prevent the unsustainable exploitation of wild populations of plants and animals. See www.kew.org/conservation and www.kew.org/msbp/msbfaq

Why is Madagascar a priority?

A high proportion of Madagascar's plant species are unique to Madagascar and are found nowhere else in the world. Due to subsistence farming, much of Madagascar's natural habitat is disappearing, and with it the native plant life. See www.kew.org/places/
world/madagascar.html

How can I support Kew's work in Madagascar?

Kew is very grateful for the support it gets for its conservation and research projects. You can help us by making a donation online.

How can I find out more about the rare palm discovered in Madagascar?

See the plant profile on Dypsis ambositrae at www.kew.org/plants/
palms/dypsis_ambositrae.html

How are plants classified and named?

Botanists put plants into hierarchical groups such as families, genera and species. You can find out more about classification at www.kew.org/plants/classification.html and also by visiting the Order Beds at Kew.

Where can I see butterflies and moths at Kew?

The indoor botanical children's area Climbers and Creepers includes a butterfly house where moths and butterflies can be seen. They are no longer released in the Princess of Wales Conservatory. It is very important to understand the links between insects and plants. Butterflies in particular are very important for pollinating flowers.

When is the next charity plant auction? Do I have to be a Friend?

The Plant Auction is an annual event with full details appearing on the friends pages of our website - www.kew.org/friends/
plantauction.html - and in the Kew Magazine The next one will be on 9 June 2005. You do not have to be a Friend to attend.

What were the special trees that were bought at the Plant Auction?

They were Pterocarya paliurus and Liriodendron chinense - click on the names to find out a bit more about them

Where can I find more information about the Plant Auction?

See the FAQs for Episode 3

Can I visit the archive to view the old photographs of Kew?

The archive at Kew is closed to the public. Viewing can only be made if you have a valid research request and an appointment has to be made. Find out more at www.kew.org/library/archives.html

When does the waterlily house close?

The Waterlily House closes in late summer. The pool is emptied and cleaned before being closed for the Winter months. It usually re-opens in March after the Victoria cruziana is sown.

What are the two species of giant waterlily grown at Kew Gardens?

The Victoria cruziana is grown in the Waterlily House. The Victoria 'Longwood Hybrid' is grown in the Princess of Wales Conservatory and they can be seen from around March until Autumn. Every year they are grown from seed so there are periods when they are not on display. See the plant profile on giant waterlilies at www.kew.org/plants/waterlilies

Can the waterlily really bear the weight of a small child?

Joseph Paxton first discovered this by standing his small daughter Annie on the Victoria Giant Water Lily grown at Chatsworth in the 19th century. We have verified this (you can see proof at www.kew.org/plants/
waterlilies/atkew.html) but would ask visitors not to experiment.

How are the feedballs for the giant waterlily made?

The feedballs are made by combining loam and 'blood, fish and bone' with water to form a doughy mixture. This is then rolled into ball shapes, each roughly the size of a snooker ball and left to bake hard in the sun. These feed balls can then be pushed into the loam near the surface of the waterlily pot, where it will break down and be absorbed by the root system. The Giant Waterlily is given 4 feed balls per week, whereas each of the tropical waterlilies get just one feedball.