Kebun Raya Bogor Grows Rafflesia Padma Using Grafting Techniques.
The Rafllesia flower is a unique and rare plant. It is a parasitic plant that does not have roots, stems or leaves, but does have very large petals that, when they bloom, can reach one meter in diameter, and weigh up to 11 kg (about 25 lbs).
The Rafflesia cannot photosynthesize because it has no leaves, and can only get food from its host tree. It is also short-lived, appearing and growing to bloom in about a week, then withering and dying. At the time it reaches blooming size, it also produce a very distinctive odor. This plant life in the wild is very hard to find and is threatened with extinction. The deforestation of the natural forest is the main threat to the survival of this flower.
To preserve this plant, the government of Indonesia has developed some research centers and conservation for the Rafllesia flower. One of them is the Taman Bunga Rafllesia Kebun Raya Bogor (The Rafllesia Park Bogor Botanical Garden) which is a place for research and conservation or the Rafflesia Padma, the only species of Rafflesia in Java.
Last month Kebun Raya Bogor celebrated their success at creating a blossom of their Rafflesia Padma. The Rafflesia flowers which blossomed on June 3rd and 22nd are the result of using a grafting technique on the roots of the host plants. The technique was used after some other techniques tried without good results.
The success of the grafting technique is a great advance in the cultivation of this flower. Nevertheless, there are still many other things that still need to be learned about this flower, and the Kebun Raya Bogor is continuing to refine their grafting techniques.
Photo from www.kompas.com
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