Approximately 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, we have successfully propagated and re-introduced 5 species of native orchids, namely, Grammatophyllum speciosum, Bulbophyllum vaginatum, Bulbophyllum membranaceum, Cymbidium finlaysonianum and Cymbidium bicolor. Starting in October 2009, we embarked on a new phase 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.
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;
Time: 3-4pm
Venue: Bukit Merah Library
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
