Plant Growth Facilities
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 Greenhouse staffUse of our teaching materialsResearch projects |
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Tour the greenhouses:Arid plantsCarnivorous plantsNon-flowering plantsTropical plants |
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The Department of Plant Biology maintains seven greenhouses with a floor area of approximately 24,000 square feet, along with a transplant garden area and lath house, 18 growth chambers, and three walk-in growth rooms. All greenhouses are connected on the north side to a common headhouse or service building that includes a small laboratory, work areas for potting, cold storage, offices and supply rooms.
The greenhouses support both research and teaching activities in Plant Biology, as well as, Genetics and Ecology. While most of the greenhouse space is reserved for research, an extensive collection of plants is maintained for teaching.
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Smith |
The Plant Growth Facilities are under the supervision of Michael Boyd. Melanie Smith is responsible for teaching and research materials in greenhouses one and two, and the production and delivery of all classroom material. Michael Boyd takes care of research projects in greenhouses five and six, and the plant collections in greenhouse three.
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 Michael Boyd with a group of young students |
The greenhouse facility maintains diverse collections of tropical plants, cacti and succulents, seedless vascular plants, cycads, carnivorous plants, and orchids. Our staff will deliver requested plants from the collection rooms to the classroom, and will also return the plants to the greenhouses. Personnel in the teaching labs are responsible for watering demonstration plants while in use. Please make requests at least one week in advance to Melanie. We welcome additions to the teaching collections, but unfortunately are unable to handle requests for field-collected material.
Instructors are welcome to bring their classes to the facility to set up short-term projects or to visit the teaching collections, but please contact Melanie at least two weeks in advance. Tour groups from local schools and orgnizations are welcome.
Space
Faculty and students should submit requests for research space to Michael Boyd on the forms provided. Project size and duration, current space availability, past performance, request lead-time and project importance are all considered when allocating space. Every effort will be made to provide space to all those who need it. Priority will be given to faculty, students, and staff in the Plant Biology Department.
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Research Space Request at Plant Growth Facilities (.pdf format) |
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First time users of the greenhouse facility should schedule an orientation session with the greenhouse manager before starting their projects. Keys will be issued by the manager, and should be returned promptly at the end of the project. Any delays in the completion date should be discussed as soon as possible.
The greenhouse manager has final authority with regard to space allocation.
Supplies
Commonly used containers, soil mixes, tools, fertilizers, and labels are available at no charge to personnel in the Department of Plant Biology. Requests for unusually large quantities of supplies or unusual supply needs requires advanced planning and budgeting.
Please consult with greenhouse staff concerning the location and use of available supplies.
Responsibilities
The greenhouse staff is responsible for: 1) watering and fertilization, including weekends and holidays, if these are not part of the experimental treatments, 2) disease and insect control practices, 3) providing horticultural supplies and soil mixes, 4) assisting with the acquisition of seed and plant material, 5) assisting with design, configuration of environmental conditions, planting and maintenance of projects, 6) steam sterilization.
Greenhouse users will be expected to: 1) take charge in starting projects, 2) carry out all experimental treatments and measurements, 3) harvest plant material needed for experimental purposes, 4) maintain an active role in the progress of the project, 5) promptly notify the staff at the end of the project and assist with the disposal of unneeded plants, 6) autoclave transgenic plant waste.
Growth Chambers
The department currently has 18 reach-in and step-in growth chambers. Twelve chambers are located in the headhouse building and six in B023 of the Life Sciences Building. In addition, the department shares space in three large growth rooms in B023 of Life Sciences. Since growth chamber space is limited, allocation of space will be based on the user's documented need for environmentally controlled or isolated conditions.
