Q&A
Discussion on shade-tolerant plants and artificial light
1:18:05
·
89 sec
Council members Shaun Abreu and Kevin Riley questioned Brooklyn Botanic Garden representatives about shade-tolerant plants and the use of artificial light. The garden's VP of Horticulture, Rowan Blaik, explained that no plants grow in total shade and that artificial light cannot fully replace natural sunlight for the garden's diverse plant collections.
- Blaik emphasized that very few plants can grow in very low light levels, limiting biodiversity and educational opportunities.
- The use of artificial light was discussed, but Blaik stated it would not adequately address the garden's needs or maintain its status as a botanic garden.
Shaun Abreu
1:18:05
Are there plants that thrive in the shade?
Rowan Blaik
1:18:10
No plant no plant grows in total shade?
1:18:13
Excuse me.
1:18:14
No plant grows in total shade.
Shaun Abreu
1:18:16
I saw you I saw your partner nodding your head.
1:18:18
Yes.
1:18:19
Is that is that a yes or no?
Kathryn Glass
1:18:22
I was nodding indicating that Rowan would answer the question.
1:18:25
Okay.
1:18:26
He's the horticulture
Shaun Abreu
1:18:27
specialist
Kathryn Glass
1:18:27
and knows a great deal about plants and sunlight.
Rowan Blaik
1:18:30
Alright.
1:18:30
Please proceed.
1:18:32
No plant grows in total shade.
1:18:34
There are very few plants that were growing in very low light levels.
1:18:39
This is why when you see house plants, for example, or you see the plants the retail down the market for shade situations, there's a very limited amount of plants that would fulfill that that suitability, certainly not that would produce flowers, certainly not that would produce fruit.
1:18:59
For our educational purposes, it would be a a complete simplification of of not only the a a plan collection, but it would be a simplification of, you know, remit and educational and programmatic output.
Shaun Abreu
1:19:15
Do you think that a combination of artificial light and low light plants could help alleviate some of these concerns?
Rowan Blaik
1:19:26
No.
1:19:28
Not not from a not from a practical point of view.
1:19:30
We we would no longer be a be a botanic garden, really.
