My first day as a greenhouse volunteer

I began volunteering at the Conservatory and Biological Collection greenhouse, in the University of Minnesota’s College of Biological Sciences. In early 2021 I contacted the director of the greenhouse, by email, asking to be added to their list of volunteers. She replied that due to the pandemic the greenhouse was closed in the first half of 2021, but reopened in July of 2021.

I had initially searched the internet for volunteer opportunities in my neighborhood. Given we were still in the throws of the covid pandemic, and that there are vulnerable members of my house, it was necessary to limit exposure for lots of unmasked people. I searched the internet for volunteer opportunities in local greenhouses. Miraculously, the very first search result described and opportunity at our local university greenhouse, not more than a few miles from my apartment.

On my first day, I was assigned to watered plants in two of the four collection rooms, C2 and C3. A... briefly described the goal and technique for watering each pot. Eventually, I was handed the greenhouse manual which described the process in detail. Perhaps I didn't do such a great job with watering pots since I have only rarely been assigned to watering pots a few times since then.

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A Sensitive Plant and Common Weed

Mimosa pudica, also commonly called the sensitive plant was a popular houseplant when I was growing up in the 1970s. It was popular for its ability to quicky change shape by folding up its leaves to protect them from herbivore predators. At the slightest touch the plant is able to expell water from special cells in the leaves, changing the shape from frond-like to a stick-form. The plant creeps along the ground, never for than a foot or so in height. In tropical parts of the world this plant is considered and invasive weed. Today, as I was treating plants to remove pests I happened to touch the leaves of a Mimosa pudica , one with a pretty puff-like flower. Sure enough, the leaves all folded up to almost nothing. Mimosa pudica , the sensitive plant Other more routine chores during my four-hour shift at the U of M Conservatory included cleaning three plants of Hibiscus clayi, native to Hawaii. These three plants in particular have suffered repeated infestations with a variety of in...

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