… be contained in its pot. Roots growing out of and over the edge of a pot signal that it’s time for re-potting—which gives you the opportunity to examine your plant for overall root health. Plump, green roots look and are healthy; yellow, spotted, black, or dried out roots indicate that it’s time to re-think how you’re caring for your orchid. Learn more about repotting Phalaenopsis and other orchids in our blog. …
Type: Blog
… about and get engaged with nature. The hands-on component is key. After a teacher signs up for a field trip, we deliver kits of materials for every student. Students pick up the kits at the school. Every virtual program includes a live … seeds that we plant together. Thanks to a generous donor, we offer this program free of charge for all schools that serve a population where 50 percent or more students are considered “low …
Type: Blog
… while the smaller berries are sterile. Spike and Stinky contributed all the pollen used for Alice’s pollination last September. About one-third of Alice’s female flowers received … while Stinky, thought to be more distantly related, provided appropriate genetic material for proper reproduction. You can see the difference on Alice’s infructescence (fruit stalk) , … produced by Stinky’s pollen will make one or two seeds. It will take several more months for the fruits to ripen and turn deep red—a signal that seeds may finally be collected. One …
Type: Blog
… so they prefer hot temperatures and high humidity. Still, these days can be great for taking pictures. Butterflies tend to stay at rest to conserve energy to stay warm. So you … to snap a picture of their ventral side. After the rain passes, humid conditions are ideal for the butterflies, and you can find them roosting or drying their wings in the post-rain … well. Our butterflies tend to be very interactive on these days, so be sure to keep an eye out for butterflies flying in a flutter (or group), mating, and even fighting. Mornings: Butterflies …
Type: Blog
… explore and make more than one kind of insect. Coffee filters —Cut these each into six pieces for wings. You can see how to cut them from the photo of our completed insect below. Pipe cleaners —Cut these into 3-inch pieces for legs. Craft supplies to decorate and color your insect —Use feathers, googly eyes, crayons, … wait until the fall season of Little Diggers, but if you don’t want to wait, you can sign up for My First Camp for 3-year-olds, and enjoy more hands-on science, art, food, and gardening. …
Type: Blog
… genera and over 19,000 species found in all parts of the world. In addition to being a source for economically important plants, the family is also important because legumes dominate many … important family. This collaborative team has published a new subfamily classification system for the family, and is now focused on major lineages within each of these subfamilies. Research …
Type: Research
… is the range, population size and habitat preference all have important consequences for gene flow and population structure. I am interested in the population genetics of rare species, and what that can tell us for about the management of these species. Botanic Gardens: " Botanic Gardens are playing a … structure of plant populations. Restoration: Choosing "genetically appropriate material" for restoration has become an important aim of many restorations. I study the genetic, …
Type: Staff bio
… best things about visiting (and working at!) the Chicago Botanic Garden: you get great ideas for your own garden. I put one of them to work in my new "all vegetable" front yard garden this … covers most everything.) On a fine spring day, apply two coats of chalkboard paint. I went for black, but you can have the white base paint tinted any color. (Ooh! Lime green would have … rain, wind, and dirty hands. Like many gardeners, I've tried lots of different methods for labeling over the years: Popsicle sticks (disintegrate fast, get stepped on), zinc and copper …
Type: Blog
… awe on winter walks, on how to shift your energy and attention outward instead of inward for emotional well-being. One easy way to do that at the Chicago Botanic Garden or anywhere you … which are plants that produce cones—bald cypress, spruce, fir, etc. As horticulturist for the Dwarf Conifer Garden, I look at evergreens all the time, but I’m still inspired by their … you just have to slow down and get up close. Here are a few suggestions on what to look for: Oriental arborvitae ( Platycladus orientalis ) A mounded conifer, this tree has small, …
Type: Blog
… The Krasberg Rose Garden is naturally romantic. As with fine wines, the descriptive words for roses are rich and varied. Among the 5,000-plus rose bushes planted are some that speak the … definition of a romantic rose. ‘Tiffany’ —Rosy pink, strong fragrance, and the perfect name for a proposal. ‘Love and Peace’ —A beautiful combination: yellow, edged in pink. And that … pine…and, of course, tea, one of the richest of rose scents. Honey Perfume™ —The perfect name for a strongly spicy, apricot-yellow rose Moondance™ —The clusters of clear white flowers give …
Type: Blog
