Issue 83 May 2025

Chair’s Introduction, May 2025   Page 3

Head of Botanic Garden Report Jan-April 2025 6

Nigel Brown, Honorary Doctor of Science 9

Identifying Species in Treborth’s Bamboo Collection 11

Biochar Doesn’t Just Store Carbon—It Stores Water and

Boosts Farmers’ Drought Resilience 12

Orchid of the Season. Brassia Chieftain W.W.G. Moir 1961 14

Friends of Treborth Botanic Garden Library 16

The Puss Moth 18

Interview with Dr. Pat Denne 23

Disease has Killed Most of the U.K. Elm Trees since the

1960s — But There are Signs They May be Making a Comeback 26

Treborth Meteorological Data December 2024-March 2025 28

In Defence of Woodlice and their Complicated Sex Lives 30

Guided Garden Tours at Treborth 33

XLAB Collaboration Transforms Plant Labelling at Treborth Botanic Garden 34

Cactus and Succulent Poaching 36