Wednesday, July 29, 2009: Royal Botanic Gardens (Kew) has given what is thought to be the world's oldest potted plant a new home. Brought to Kew by Francis Masson in the 1770s, the cycad (Encephalartos altensteinii) is 234 years old. Its native home is the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. The plant's move required a crane and a full complement of staff members.
Gather there's some bonsai in Japan that have been in pots for over 250 years, so their claim to have the oldest pot plant is wrong
Hey---I don't make the news, I just report it! So describe to us these bonsai, Michael! Am sure that story would be of equal---if not, in fact, greater---interest to that of the Kew cycad. Shall await fascinating detail.
I flew to London, to attend the Chelsea flower show (one of the worlds greatest flower shows). While in London I visited Kew and seen the "worlds oldest potted plant" cycad. Kew Gardens has a sign placed adjacent to the plant claiming the oldest distinction. Oldest or not, it is a very impressive cycad. It looks like a 20 or 30 foot snake because of the length it has grown. - Millet (1,259-)
