Articles

Welcome to our comprehensive Articles section, where knowledge blooms and curiosity thrives. This category serves as a hub for exploring the fascinating worlds of cycads, aloes, and horticulture. From in-depth insights on specific cycad and aloe species to engaging articles about plant care, conservation, and industry news, you’ll find everything you need to deepen your understanding and appreciation of these remarkable plants. Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast, collector, or simply curious, our Articles category is your gateway to informed and inspired content.

Warming temperatures may shrink wetland carbon sinks

A major global study using teabags as a measuring device shows warming temperatures may reduce the amount of carbon stored in wetlands. The international team of scientists buried 19,000 bags of green tea and rooibos in 180 wetlands across 28 countries to measure the ability for wetlands to hold carbon in their soil, known as wetland carbon sequestration.

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Higher ratio of plant protein to animal protein may improve heart health

Eating a diet with a higher ratio of plant-based protein to animal-based protein may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD), according to a new study. According to the researchers, these risk reductions are likely driven by the replacement of red and processed meats with plant proteins. The researchers also observed that a combination of consuming more plant protein and higher protein intake overall provided the most heart health benefits.

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Tersan Shipyard, Türkiye launches groundbreaking sustainable fishing vessel ‘Leinebris’

December 2, 2024 – Tersan Shipyard has announced the launch of its latest cutting-edge fishing vessel, the ‘Leinebris,’ marking a milestone in maritime sustainability and technological advancement. Developed in collaboration with Norwegian fishing company Leinebris AS and designed by the Skipsteknisk AS, the vessel is a testament to innovation, environmental responsibility and Norway’s leadership in the seafood industry.

Building on the legacy of its predecessor, which was also constructed by Tersan Shipyard and delivered in 2015, the new Leinebris incorporates state-of-the-art technology and a sustainability-focused design. The 67.3 meter-long and 15-meter-wide vessel is set to redefine fishing practices by integrating three distinct methods – long lining, seining and net fishing – into one platform. This versatility not only optimises efficiency but also reduces the environmental impact by allowing the skipper to select the most eco-friendly method for any given operation.

The new Leinebris is powered by a diesel-electric propulsion system supported by PU115 azimuth and AR63 retractable azimuth combi thrusters, ensuring precise manoeuvrability. Its innovative steering system, which includes the BrunCon PTC and BrunCon JS with Position Hold and the Brunvoll Fishpilot system, further enhances navigational control and efficiency.

Incorporating a large onboard battery pack and three diesel-electric generator sets, the vessel maximises energy efficiency. Additionally, its fully electric deck equipment and winches exemplify its commitment to minimising energy consumption while maximising onboard power utilisation. RSW tanks are also installed to maintain the freshness of live fish during transport, ensuring top-quality seafood production.

Safety and comfort for the crew have been prioritised in the design. The vessel features double cargo decks, covered working decks and a moonpool to enhance safety during operations in challenging conditions. With accommodations for up to 25 personnel, the Leinebris offers a high standard of living quarters, reflecting modern expectations for crew welfare.

Paul Herald Leinbø, representing Leinebris AS, expressed pride in the vessel’s launch, emphasising its role in supporting sustainable fisheries while maintaining top-quality seafood production. “This is a proud moment for us. I want to thank Tersan and the rest of our team who believe in us. With this new build, we will harvest the finest Norwegian whitefish for years to come, whilst also meeting our sustainability targets and reducing our marine footprint,” he stated.

The vessel’s sustainability features align with global calls for greener practices in the maritime and fishing industries. By enabling efficient resource management and minimising environmental impact, the Leinebris is poised to inspire environmentally conscious food choices and reinforce Norway’s status as a leader in sustainable seafood production.

Mehmet Gaziogğlu, CEO of Tersan Shipyard, highlighted the significance of this project and the longstanding partnership with Leinebris AS. “Eight years after the delivery of the first Leinebris, it is both a great honour and pleasure for us to be awarded as the builder of the new vessel. We believe she will be revolutionary vessel for the fishing sector, continuing the pioneering legacy of Leinebris AS,” he remarked.

The vessel’s design, crafted by Skipsteknisk, embodies the culmination of advanced maritime engineering and environmental stewardship. The collaboration between Tersan Shipyard, Leinebris AS and Skipsteknisk underscores the power of partnership in driving innovation within the industry.

The new Leinebris is slated for delivery in 2025, ready to set sail and redefine standards in the fishing industry. With its innovative design and commitment to sustainability, the vessel is expected to enhance resource management in fisheries and contribute to the global shift toward greener practices in seafood production.

This launch marks yet another chapter in Tersan Shipyard’s commitment to advancing maritime innovation and sustainability, solidifying its position as a leader in constructing environmentally responsible vessels. As the Leinebris prepares for its maiden voyage, it stands as a beacon of progress and a model for the future of fishing.

The Aquaculturists


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My garden, now

We had our first frost early this morning with a brief low of 27F, it really is winter now (meteorological winter begins on December 1). I’m still trying to be better about embracing the garden in all seasons, so, to that end, here are a few photos taken at the end of November/beginning of December. We start in the front garden…

The always sexy bark of Arctostaphylos x densiflora ‘Harmony’, this is the most coppery in color of all my manzanitas…Mahonia x media ‘Charity’ takes its job of feeding the hummingbirds very seriously.

Mahonia nervosa wins for fabulous cool-weather foliage color. That’s another shot of A. x densiflora ‘Harmony’ in the background.
The Fuchsia procumbens has lost nearly all it’s leaves, but there are many colorful berries left behind, I wonder how easy this plant is from seed?
Both Trachelospermum asiaticum ‘Red Top’ in my garden have colored up as never before. 
Myriopteris tomentosa / Cheilanthes tomentosa (I think? I get these dryland ferns mixed up). The texture of these fronds is like a million tiny pebbles glued in place.
The driveway plantings feel so bare to my eyes.

I was the lucky recipient of a bag of black mondo grass a neighbor had dug from her garden, so it’s hanging out in the stock tank until next spring, when I’ll plant it out around the garden.
Winter color of Schefflera (Heptapleurum) delavayi.
The upper back garden, as you walk past the schefflera.

 Looking to the left, Arachniodes simplicior ‘Variegata’.
Rhododendron ‘Ebony Pearl’
Hedera colchica ‘Sulphur Heart’, winter color.
This area along the back of the house has really benefitted from increased light after last winter took out parts of the Callistemon viridiflorus and knocked the Callistemon ‘Woodlander’s Hardy Red’ back to the ground.

Athyrium niponicum ‘Godzilla’
That color!
Another painted fern, one whose specific name I lost track of a long time ago.
Edgeworthia chrysantha ‘Akebono’. The rest of those leaves (last year’s) will soon fall but the blooms won’t open until March.
The potted pseudopanax/carnivorous plants that filled the bench in the summertime have moved to protected spots, now it’s all about the pyrrosia.
Behind the bench, Polygonatum kingianum.
Those little curly hooks send me, how cute are they?
There’s fruit too!
Hakonechloa macra
Close-up of the previously mentioned pyrrosia…
Fantastic pyrrosia variegation.
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) blooms, another hummingbird favorite.
Looking over to the shade pavilion in it’s greenhouse form.
The leathery leaves of podophyllum in their autumn colors.
The stems that held the flowers, and then the fruit, almost look like they might start moving about, like under-sea creatures.
Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Indianola Silver’ backed by small M. eurybracteata ‘Cistus Silvers’ and M. x media ‘Marvel’.
And the golden fronds of Osmunda regalis wrap up this post.

If you happened to notice I didn’t do my full “garden tour” posts this fall (it’s an annual tradition), I just wanted to mention they’re coming! I took lots of photos but haven’t gotten around to editing them down. I think maybe January will be the time to look back at the garden that was.
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Cycas taitungensis: The Taitung Cycad

🌿 Discover the Perfect Plants for Your Space! 🌿 Explore our handpicked collection of cycads, aloes, seeds, and more to transform your garden or landscape. Shop Now Description and Morphology Cycas taitungensis, one of the Taiwan cycads, is a visually striking plant with a distinct morphology. Imagine a stout, woody trunk, sometimes subterranean, crowned with

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Aloe macra: The Long Aloe – Réunion Island Native

🌿 Discover the Perfect Plants for Your Space! 🌿 Explore our handpicked collection of cycads, aloes, seeds, and more to transform your garden or landscape. Shop Now Description and Identification Aloe macra, also known as the Long Aloe, stands as a testament to the unique biodiversity of Réunion Island. This striking succulent, an endemic species,

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Aloe belitsakensis: The Belitsaka Aloe – Madagascar Treasure

🌿 Discover the Perfect Plants for Your Space! 🌿 Explore our handpicked collection of cycads, aloes, seeds, and more to transform your garden or landscape. Shop Now Discovery and Habitat The story of Aloe belitsakensis, also known as the Belitsaka Aloe, begins, as many botanical tales do, with a discovery. This particular aloe wasn’t stumbled

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