World's oldest potted plant re-potted at Kew
A tree which is believed to be the world's oldest potted plant has been re-potted at Kew Gardens.Bosses at the London attraction say huge Jurassic cycad - or 'Encephalartos altensteninii' if you're being fancy - has once again out grown its pot.
The 4m plant, which grows at 2.5cm a year, was first installed at Kew in 1775 and has outgrown several pots, it was planted in the most recent 25 years ago.
It took three months of planning, five members of staff and a lifting gantry to
move the ancient plant from one pot to the other - but given it has another 250 years of growth left maybe they should have used a bigger pot.
Wes Shaw, Keeper of the Palm House at Kew said: "This is one of the most unique plants in Kew Gardens. It’s the don of the Palm House, and has been slowly growing year by year since the Gardens began."Although it was hot and humid work, the repotting of the Encephalartos altensteninii went very well.
"The months of planning paid off as the team got the job done quickly and efficiently and most importantly without damaging this precious plant."
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