2024 | Horticulture

“As the world faces an ecological crisis, I truly believe horticultural knowledge can play a vital role in tackling some of the challenges.”

Hi, my name’s Selina and I was a 2024 Global Footprints Scholar.

I started in Sri Lanka’s high country, learning about plant biotechnology in Hayleys’ tissue culture lab. Tissue culture is a form of rapid plant propagation in a controlled, sterile, in vitro environment. Growing plants in this environment enables year-round plant production in a compact space with less water and chemical use.

I also visited Hayleys Quality Seeds, learning about their seed production, including F1 pollination, which is a controlled cross-pollination often done by hand. It was great to observe sustainable practices, such as using composted rice husks as a growing medium and the absence of concrete floors to reduce heat.

I was also fortunate to spend time with my Hayleys colleagues, experiencing the country’s rich culture and natural beauty.

The next stop was Kew Botanic Gardens in London. It was a privilege to work alongside highly experienced botanical horticulturalists. The rare plant collections were remarkable and I was particularly inspired by Kew’s extensive conservation initiatives, helping the public understand how to care for our natural environment.

I then travelled to HilverdaFlorist in the Netherlands to learn about Dutch floriculture and greenhouse agri-engineering. I was very impressed by the advanced technology used throughout their operations, including their recirculating hydroponic systems and automated fertigation.

They have also transitioned to predominantly biological pest control methods, with a significant reduction in chemical use.

I was lucky enough to attend the Keukenhof Tulip Festival, with millions of spectacular blooms on display.

My final stop was the Naturlehrgebiet Buchwald in Ettiswil, Switzerland, where I learnt about biodiversity conservation and environmental education. Their hands-on approach to teaching children about ecology was particularly inspiring.

Creating positive experiences in nature at a young age is essential in fostering lifelong conservation values. And a visit to Switzerland wouldn’t be complete without a hike.

This scholarship has been an incredible opportunity to broaden my understanding of the scope and diversity of horticulture. It’s reinforced to me that horticulture is truly global and incredibly collaborative. I’ve seen plant varieties, knowledge, technology and trade shared across borders.

I am immensely grateful for this experience and would like to sincerely thank all of my hosts, Hayleys Agriculture, Kew Botanic Gardens, HilverdaFlorist and the Naturlehrgebiet Buchwald, for their generosity, guidance and warm hospitality.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the BBM team, Carmen, Sam and Suellen, for making this opportunity possible and for their ongoing support.

This experience has strengthened my passion for horticulture and inspired both hope and determination for a more sustainable future.