Nigel Daniel
The Scholar
“I’ve always been a city kid. Being in a city, I was rarely surrounded by natural greenery. So having a collection of plants is a nice juxtaposition between nature and the urban environment.” And what a collection it is; a tiny tumbling balcony grove that represents the broad interests of one elfin Nigel David. In one corner, a prized Phalaenopsis gigantea, extremely slow-growing and spectacular with giant leaves that shelter a tumbling waterfall of orchids. In another, the intense green of Microsorum Thailandicum – a blue oil fern – whose leaves connive to angle almost like antlers. And, of course, dramatic Alocasias, beloved by collectors and dazzling in their shape and colours.
“It all started with a Phalaenopsis orchid that I got for Chinese New Year… and it went downhill from there! My collection mainly consists of orchids and aroids, but is quite diverse in terms of genera. I collect what I like and what intrigues me. Because what drives me is the pure joy of seeing a plant thrive, whether it is a small leaf or a huge floral display. It is very gratifying to see my efforts pay off. A healthy plant that isn’t conventionally attractive is way more appealing to me than an unnaturally manicured plant.”
But that combination of selection and location can present challenges. Which is where science comes in. In the small space of an apartment balcony – where climate conspires to get very windy or very hot or even both – Nigel’s collection is carefully placed. Delicate orchids that require daily watering here, hardier foliage plants that require less maintenance there and the rarer, larger specimens tucked away in spots where battery by elements is minimised. It seems rambling, but that is what a rainforest is: chaotically green in root and flower. And all that bleeds into Nigel’s direction as well; he is majoring in international tropical forestry, advocating ethical collection of plants and championing native species.
He worries about Begonias, for example. Beautiful in the way that colours and patterns fractal on its leaves, interest in Begonias is now growing, superseding Aroids. “And that created a huge spike in Begonia poaching to fuel the demand,” he says. “Considering that Begonias are more sensitive and micro-endemic than aroids, that makes them extremely prone to overcollection and extinction.” Sustainable collecting can exist, he insists. As long as it does not negatively affect biodiversity and the environment.
Taking that into account, Nigel’s collection will go on. At the top of his wish list is the showy Vanda Sanderiana and the hypnotic Epidendrum Parkinsonianum orchids - not necessarily headliners for everyone, but certainly for Nigel. “Everything about plant collecting these days seems to be about the most extravagant and the most expensive. Me? I collect the plants that I love.”