New greenhouses in Mainz: desert plants illuminate the botanical garden!

New greenhouses in Mainz: desert plants illuminate the botanical garden!

Botanischer Garten der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Deutschland - The first construction phase of greenhouses was currently completed in the botanical garden of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU). With a total financial volume of 3.1 million euros, fully financed from state funds, two modern show greenhouses were built for desert plants. These new greenhouses should not only support university teaching, but also serve to carry out public educational offers in plant science.

The new greenhouses are equipped with ecological control technology systems that include integrated facade heating and controllable ventilation flaps. This promotes both energy efficiency as well as an appealing presentation of the plants. Professor Dr. Meret Huber, director of the botanical garden, emphasizes the central role of these facilities in the educational mandate and its importance for the protection of botanical diversity.

logistical effort and plant parade

The move of the plants was a significant logistical challenge. The great Argentine cactus, which had to be lifted from the old greenhouse with a crane, was particularly remarkable. In addition, plants were prepared by the Canary Islands in a special nursery near Stuttgart. The botanical garden Mainz can see over 5,000 visitors annually, including two thirds of children and adolescents who take part in various educational events.

The complete renewal of all greenhouses is planned in the coming years, including the construction of an underground rainwater cistern with a capacity of 2,400 cubic meters. The botanical garden is described as an educational location and meeting room where interest in plants is to be promoted.

The succulent house: a variety of survivalable plants

In the new succulent house, which exists in various botanical gardens such as in Marburg and Potsdam, plants are presented that can store water in special organs. These succulents mainly come from dry regions such as Mexico, South Africa, Madagascar and South America, where they have adapted to the extreme conditions.

The concept of succulent includes a variety of plants that have water -storing fabrics, compact figures and special metabolic skills. South Dafrika's aloe species are, for example, leaf succulents that are used in cosmetics. Their ability to store water for drought times is an impressive example of the evolutionary process of convergence, which has made it possible to develop similar life strategies.

botanical gardens in various regions, such as the Succulent House of the University of Potsdam, show that many of these plants also absorb carbon dioxide for photosynthesis at night to save water. During the day, close your folding openings to prevent evaporation and survive dry periods for so long.

The new design in the JGU botanical garden as well as the impressive succulent houses in Marburg and Potsdam are not only awakened in interest in botanical diversity, but is actively promoted. The combination of innovative construction and a wide variety of plants plays a key role in the educational mission of these facilities.