Branch Out

An experiment in the 90's by two Russian artists revealed that people from various countries around the world all like the same kind of painting. Discover why and what the results of a new study using twins says about our love for nature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To help protect plant species from the impacts of climate change, scientists from the Australian Institute of Botanical Science and UNSW created a cutting-edge data framework for predicting seed germination using a thermogradient plate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Throughout human history, the gifting and trading of plants has been a way for people to connect. Discover the story behind the Instagram-famous 'friendship plant' that used to be impossible to find, and how you can grow one at home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Orchids are found on every continent, except Antarctica, growing everywhere from hot swamps to cold mountain tops. Unfortunately, a large proportion of Aussie native orchids are threatened or endangered. From isolating the fungi needed to germinate their seeds to studying their pollinators - discover how scientists like Jessica Wait at the Australian Institute of Botanical Science are using science to help save orchids from extinction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During the era of the Dutch golden age in 1637, it’s said that one tulip bulb could of bought you a beautiful house on the canal in Amsterdam. Discover how the obsession with these unique flowers allegedly caused the first and most famous market bubble crashes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the 'great pacific garbage patch' to 'wet wipe island' - pollution is out of control. But in 2021, Gary Moran went viral for not needing to put out his red council bin for 3 years and 4 months. Discover his simple hacks to reduce your household waste as we feature an episode from the Plants Grow Here podcast by Daniel Fuller. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Microscopic hairs of a leaf clinging to a murder suspect's jacket is all a forensic botanist needs to crack the case. Discover how two high-profile kidnapping-murder cases in America and Australia were solved using forensic botany and how the field has continued to evolve. You'll also learn the truth behind why the world's most famous fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes, knows so much about poisonous plants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christina Oakley-Harrington, founder of Treadwells, shares her journey as a modern witch and insights on the resurgence of witchcraft among youth. She discusses how childhood experiences shaped her fascination with nature and mystical practices. The conversation highlights plants' vital role in witchcraft, particularly how herbs like mugwort and agrimony are embraced in modern spirituality. Additionally, Oakley-Harrington emphasizes the comforting aspects of witchcraft, offering a meaningful connection to nature in today's disenchanted world.

Learn how photosynthesis was uncovered by scientists, how this amazing set of biochemical reactions might help find aliens, and meet a cunning species of bacteria that's evolved with stolen photosynthesizing technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine trying to put together a puzzle with over 900 million pieces without the picture on the box... That's how PhD candidate Stephanie Chen describes her world-first research assembling the complete genome of the iconic waratah species. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices