We visited the Viveiro in Matur. This tree/plant nursery is one of five the Government has on the island; of course, they are a bit remote (Casa Velha in Santo da Serra, Santa in Porto Moniz, Matur, Pico das Pedras in Santana). Porto Santo has one in Salôes. The website is https://ifcn.madeira.gov.pt/ifcn/atendimento/viveiros-florestais.html
The Viveiros are collecting seeds of all local (endemic and invasive) trees. shrubs and flowers. Some seeds are stored from year to year; most are grown in the infant stage as plants for sale. The flowers are then used for projects and also sold to the public (from 8h -13h and from 13h – 16h).
The Botanical Garden keeps a permanent seed bank to protect the endemic inheritance.
D. Susana is in charge of the Viveiro in Matur. She keeps things under control, together with five gardeners (at this time, two are on sick leave and one is on maternity leave). The Viveiro occupies quite a big space. The disadvantage is the location in Matur; the airplanes fly over. The environmental pollution (we measured it) is quite high.
We heard a rumour, that some local gardening companies buy flowers and trees from the Viveiros at a low price and sell them at higher prices to the public
We used the opportunity and bought ourselves some nice plants!
