Notes+from+Friday,+October+21,+2011

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Solaruim Project Plant Selection Notes ENSC185 October 21, 2011 Present: Molly, Seren, Drew, Quinn and Dan

Today, students brought their plant selection ideas to class. We discussed the pros and cons of each one. Our criteria included suitability for the solarium’s temperature range, need for plant maintenance, pest and disease tolerance, vigor, color, texture, fragrance, size. We described them as terrestrial (T), bulb (B), epiphyte (E) and aquatic (A). Bamboo (T) – fast growing ornamental grass. Needs to be containerized, few insect pests, prefer warm climates, Select a variety to fit the height of the solarium. Bromeliad (E) – prefers High humidity, needs support, various sizes and color, high maintenance to provide humidity if the climate is dry.

Water lilies (A) (Nymphaea) – Select tropical or hardy. The tropical will flower for multiple seasons; the hardy is found in VT but it has a shorter flowering period. Strawberries (T) – Day neutral strawberries are available, i.e. alpine strawberries, high maintenance for pests, disease and watering, low growing. Plumeria (T) – low growing tropical tree called Frangipani, fragrant flowers, shape of plant is sparse with few leaves, high maintenance for pests, Croton (T) – 3 – 6’ ft tall, colorful foliage, prefers bright light, low maintenance, low tolerance for temperatures above 80oF and below 65 oF. Bananas (T) Palm – versatile, a wide range of texture, habit and height, high tolerance for high temperatures, select species with proven low pest problems. Amaryllis (B) – seasonal? Impatiens (T) – seasonal, low tolerance for temperature below 65oF, high maintenance, many pests and diseases. Mountain laurel (T) (Kalmia) – prefers acid soil, low maintenance, short flowering period. Does it need a dormant cycle? Venus Flytrap (T) – bog plant, seasonal, insectivore Hanging Basket Plants
 * 1) Spider plant (T) Chlorophytum comosum, fast growing, high tolerance for a range of temperature and light, clean air scrubber, boring?
 * 2) English Ivy (T) – Hedera helix – can be invasive, vining, tolerates a wide range of light, partial shade is preferred.