Romania
The eighth international “Fascination of Plants Day” around 18 May 2026 will be launched by plant scientists across the world under the umbrella of the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO).
The goal of this activity is to get as many people as possible around the world fascinated by plants and enthused about the importance of plant science for agriculture and sustainable production of nutritious food, as well as for horticulture, forestry and the production of plant-based non-food products such as paper, timber, chemicals, energy and pharmaceuticals. The role of plants in environmental conservation is also a key message.
Everybody is welcome to join this initiative!
The Cluj Horticultural Days, organized by the Faculty of Horticulture and Business in Rural Development at the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, have reached their 5th edition. This event brings together businesses from horticulture, landscape architecture, tourism, and rural development to showcase their products and services to both the public and entrepreneurial communities. Throughout the event, a wide range of exhibitions and student-led activities highlight the latest innovations in horticulture, fostering interaction between students, young people, and industry professionals. These days offer an excellent opportunity to promote business initiatives and campus life. Activities include explorations of edibles plant, of microplants, the adaptation of exotic plants in different conditions, and creative transformations of plants using various tools and techniques. At the heart of it all lies a shared passion: plants.
Coordinator: Prof.dr. Mirela CORDEA
Discover the fascinating world of exotic species that successfully adapt and bear fruit even under the climatic conditions of Cluj-Napoca! The workshop “Exotic species in fruit trees” invites you to an engaging journey through lesser-known yet increasingly promising plants for future gardens and urban orchards.
The workshop is addressed to all enthusiasts of horticulture, gardening, and biodiversity who wish to gain valuable insights into the ecological requirements, maintenance practices, climatic adaptability, as well as the nutritional and ornamental benefits of exotic species such as persimmon, kiwi, pomegranate, Chinese date (jujube), olive tree, honeyberry, and aronia.
Coordinators: Lecturer. dr. Orsolya NEGRUŞIER, Prof.dr. Mirela CORDEA
Discover the beauty and adaptability of rock plants in a hands-on workshop organized in the Agro-Botanical Garden of USAMV Cluj-Napoca. The activity invites participants to explore how rock gardens recreate natural habitats, using carefully selected stones, well-drained soils and specially adapted plant species, such as Alyssum saxatile L., Aubrieta deltoidea (L.) DC., Cerastium tomentosum L., Penstemon alpinus Torr., Phlox subulata L. and others. Under the guidance of specialists, visitors will learn to design, build and maintain a rock garden, while understanding the role of environmental factors such as light, water and substrate. The workshop also highlights the ecological importance of rock gardens in biodiversity conservation and attracting pollinating insects. By combining practical activities with scientific explanations, the experience provides a clear perspective on how plants adapt to difficult conditions and how these ecosystems can be recreated for educational purposes.
Coordinator: Eng. Ramona MOCAN
The “Al. Borza” Botanical Garden in Cluj-Napoca is organizing, on May 23 and 24, 2026, starting at 2:00 PM, an event dedicated to the diversity of plant seeds as part of “Cluj Days.” The event invites the general public to discover the fascinating world of the beginnings of plant life. Participants will take part in interactive games aimed at identifying plants based on images of their seeds, testing their attention and knowledge in an engaging and educational way.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to observe real seeds under the microscope and the binocular magnifying glass, discovering details invisible to the naked eye and gaining insight into their complexity and variety. The activity will be complemented by an accessible presentation on the process of seed formation, from pollination to maturation, highlighting their essential role in the plant life cycle and in biodiversity.
The activity will take place at the Botanical Garden’s stand during “Cluj Days”, and participation is free of charge.
In the botanical gardens’ collections, there are plants, shrubs, and trees with fascinating stories. We aim to tell their stories within a labyrinth that guides visitors through several sectors of the Garden, where they will discover cards presenting the stories of the marked plants. Visitors who manage to find all the plants marked on the map they receive at the beginning of the route will be rewarded with a souvenir.
THE RIGHT MATCH (Perechea potrivita)
The activity involves matching the seed pouch to the image of the plant it belongs to, Biological Research Centre Jibou, 16 Wesselenyi M. Street, Romania
Coordinator: Dr. Lia MLADIN