The PlantNetwork spring conference addressed current and potential problems for gardens from plant pests and diseases, as well as non-native invasive plants. The first day was on threats, responsibility, risk and advice. We were grateful for the advice of David Slawson and his colleagues at the Food and Environment Research Agency for talks on new pest threats to plants in the UK, new fungal diseases and the EU Plant Health Directive. David Slawson described how to protect gardens from pests and diseases, arising from his work with the National Trust on measures to minimise risks. There were talks on work and advice by the Forestry Commission Plant Health Service, Forest Research Diagnostic and Advisory Service, and the RHS Advisory Service. Niall Moore explained the policy of the GB Non-native Species Secretariat in relation to invasive plants; and Matthew Jebb alerted delegates to potentially invasive plants in European botanic gardens (see the spreadsheet on the PlantNetwork website) and our responsibility to be informed and vigilant.

Talks on the response by gardens included pests and diseases encountered at gardens of the National Trust, National Trust for Scotland, the Eden Project, Ness Botanic Gardens, Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Bedgebury Pinetum and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and Edinburgh. There was much discussion on best-practice and basic hygiene and quarantine procedures, particularly in relation to Phytophthora ramorum/kernoviae; minimising risk, bringing plants into gardens and the dangers associated with importing large mature specimens into the UK; and training and raising awareness of staff and visitors to gardens. All gardens need to establish a set of common principles and actions not only to minimise the risks, but also to define a collective responsibility.

Ian Turner, Curator, led a tour of Sheffield Botanical Gardens, with particular reference to pests and diseases. A few days later, Chris Malumphy, Entomologist at the Food and Environment Research Agency, sent a report (posted on our website) on 20 invertebrate pests found on plants in the Pavilions. PlantNetwork Trustees and the Joint Behaviour Change and Biosecurity Working Group (Gardens and Parks) held a follow-up meeting to the conference on 25 March.

• REDUCE the risks
  • KNOW your source nurseries. Are they run in a clean and efficient manner? Do they import from the continent? Do they have a quarantine arrangement?
  • Set up a quarantine procedure for your garden
• VIGILANCE – Train your staff to be vigilant, take an interest in unhealthy plants, early detection is key
• BEHAVIOUR and TRAINING – We need to ensure colleges and other training providers give advice on good husbandry and a back to basics approach with running a clean garden
• We need to keep information SIMPLE and minimise bureaucracy, but also provide detailed when it is needed Equip yourself with identification guides and skills
• PlantNetwork will examine the need for Training Deays to cover, Propagation (reducing plant movements); Phytophthora (Recognising, managing); Identifying pests and diseases; Composting etc.
• The market in imported semi-mature trees has been the cause of a number of significant (and potentially expensive) outbreaks, amongst them Oak Processionary Moth and Citrus Longhorn beetle. Solutions might include:
  • Increase local sources of semi-mature trees (and all plants)
  • Discourage the anxiety for quick fix mentality of developers/managers – Some news articles are needed in trade magazines and the like
• LINKING – We need a one-stop-shop for information, providing links to symptons, diagnoses, advice and fora
• Develop a page linking pests and disease with experts or those with experience helpful for others > > Information Exchange Page
• Produce a set of generic TRAINING Powerpoints and documents that can be downloaded and used by Nurseries, Plant Collections etc.
• Give advice on Importing plants, Model Contract clauses etc.
• Identify Best Practice on:
  • Growing Invasive Aliens in Collections
  • Repatriation and Exchange of Plants
• Curation of Plant Collections for Pest and Disease control
• Ensure COMMUNICATION amongst all stakeholders is maintained and improved