I rode my bike to the greenhouse today. The weather was dry and the temps were in the acceptably low 60s. However, there was an annoying breeze from the east, directly in front of me as I pedaled - slightly uphill - to the St. Paul campus. I felt tired already as I dismounted to lock up the bike outside the Student Center. I walked the remainder of the distance to the greenhouse enjoying the quiet of the campus, the magnificent old trees now in full leaf.
Before entering the greenhouse I took a detour to the Cargill Building (plant genetics) to view the large Agave americana that Curator J has lent to the lobby. It looks grand in the setting surrounded by slate gray panels and large windows facing southwest (see photo above). The wounds on my arms from repotting the beast last week are only now starting to fade.
I arrived in the greenhouse on time (Yea!). Curator J... was in the workroom introducing a new student (T) to the grease board with its list of duties. Briefly we exchanged greetings and an introduction before I wandered off to find B... for my morning instructions.
My chores began with watering, which I enjoy. I started in room C2, which I believe has the largest number of plants. And, the plants in C2 tend to be very interesting and colorful, as the room C2 represents the tropical rainforest biome. The biggest challenge of this task is lugging the 100 foot yellow watering hose around the room. The hose is quite heavy and inflexible when full of water. As I moved from plant to plant, I tried to be careful to note the plastic label system: red labels indicate “let plant dry completely between waterings”; yellow labels indicate “do not water.” Some plants are in dormancy, watering too much could rot the roots and kill the plant. I have to admit it is sometimes difficult to see the labels, and I realize I’ve watered a plant that should not be watered. It took me an hour and a half to water room C2.
Three of us then went to inspect a tillandsia plant being offered to the collection by one of the other professors. The plant is located in another greenhouse in the same building as our Conservatory Collection greenhouse. It is a moderately large plant, perhaps 3 feet in diameter. It was situated in the crux of a small tree. Very attractive. Curator J will move it to the greenhouse when he has the cork wall rebuilt.
The cork wall… it is located in room C2 with the other tropical rainforest plants. The wall is a grid of stainless steel, with many pieces of cork bark attached by screws and wires. The Tillandsia plants are attached to the cork panels. However, the cork panels are falling off the steel grid because the wires holding them in place are rusting away. It will be quite a project to remove all of the rusting wire and replace them with stainless steel wires and hooks. Curator J, B and I spent a few minutes reviewing the requirements to get the job done. Curator J will arrange for stainless steel wires.
The ride home on my bike was much, much easier. I barely had to pedal at all with the wind at my back and headed slightly downhill. It was a joy.
Before entering the greenhouse I took a detour to the Cargill Building (plant genetics) to view the large Agave americana that Curator J has lent to the lobby. It looks grand in the setting surrounded by slate gray panels and large windows facing southwest (see photo above). The wounds on my arms from repotting the beast last week are only now starting to fade.
I arrived in the greenhouse on time (Yea!). Curator J... was in the workroom introducing a new student (T) to the grease board with its list of duties. Briefly we exchanged greetings and an introduction before I wandered off to find B... for my morning instructions.
My chores began with watering, which I enjoy. I started in room C2, which I believe has the largest number of plants. And, the plants in C2 tend to be very interesting and colorful, as the room C2 represents the tropical rainforest biome. The biggest challenge of this task is lugging the 100 foot yellow watering hose around the room. The hose is quite heavy and inflexible when full of water. As I moved from plant to plant, I tried to be careful to note the plastic label system: red labels indicate “let plant dry completely between waterings”; yellow labels indicate “do not water.” Some plants are in dormancy, watering too much could rot the roots and kill the plant. I have to admit it is sometimes difficult to see the labels, and I realize I’ve watered a plant that should not be watered. It took me an hour and a half to water room C2.
Three of us then went to inspect a tillandsia plant being offered to the collection by one of the other professors. The plant is located in another greenhouse in the same building as our Conservatory Collection greenhouse. It is a moderately large plant, perhaps 3 feet in diameter. It was situated in the crux of a small tree. Very attractive. Curator J will move it to the greenhouse when he has the cork wall rebuilt.
The cork wall… it is located in room C2 with the other tropical rainforest plants. The wall is a grid of stainless steel, with many pieces of cork bark attached by screws and wires. The Tillandsia plants are attached to the cork panels. However, the cork panels are falling off the steel grid because the wires holding them in place are rusting away. It will be quite a project to remove all of the rusting wire and replace them with stainless steel wires and hooks. Curator J, B and I spent a few minutes reviewing the requirements to get the job done. Curator J will arrange for stainless steel wires.
Finally today, I spent 45 minutes weeding the tiny Oxalis plants from the beds in room D2.
The ride home on my bike was much, much easier. I barely had to pedal at all with the wind at my back and headed slightly downhill. It was a joy.
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