PO‘IPU — The alula struggled with the heat and dry conditions at the National Tropical Botanical Gardens South Shore Visitor Center during the weekly Aloha Market, Thursday in Po‘ipu.
“The ones in the nursery are well-cared for,” said Jackie Nielsen of the NTBG as she and Gwen Silva both agreed the need for putting the irrigation back in the area where the alula was growing among other native plants. “They’re budding, and some of them have flowers, already.”
The alula plant, cultivated in the NTBG nursery, is just one of the many items available at the online auction presented by the National Tropical Botanical Garden in observance of Tropical Plant Week starting Aug. 31 and continuing through Sept. 7.
Items available for bidding can be found online at ntbg.org/events/tropical-plant-week/.
Nielsen said in addition to the alula, the native red hibiscus, ulu, or breadfruit, there will be flowering orchids available.
The Tropical Plant Week auction, according to information on the NTBG website, celebrates and gives back to plants that are the foundation for all life on Earth.
“They clean our air, protect our watersheds, provide food, medicine, clothing, and shelter,” the NTBG website states. “Plants do so much for us, it’s time to show them a little love.”
Jon Letman of NTBG, in his announcement and invitation said, “NTBG is hosting a Tropical Plant Week online auction that gives our local community opportunity to support rare and endangered plant conservation while alsop bidding on some fantastic Kaua‘i-centric experiences and items.”
David Bryant of NTBG said among the items available for online bidding are some of the pieces that were recently-exhibited during the Lehua Island project at the Kaua‘i Society of Artists gallery at the Kukui Grove Center.
“Proceeds from these items will be used to install irrigation for the native plants that are being installed as part of the Lehua Island restoration project,” Bryant said.
Bebe Nicholas, one of the vendors at the weekly market at the NTBG South Shore Visitor Center, said Kaua‘i Fine Arts also contributed several historical bird prints similar to the Botanical prints.
“This is not just Botanicals,” Nicholas said. “It’s Botanicals, and Birds.”
National Tropical Botanical Garden is a not-for-profit institution, dedicated to discovering, saving, and studying the world’s tropical plants, and sharing what is learned.
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
