Page 35 - Free State Winter 2022 - Website Version

in groups touring the Research and
Production Greenhouse, taking a
Conservatory Pest Walk, and being
treated to a Land Stewardship and
Ecology talk.
The Research and Conservation
team focuses on finding and
evaluating new plants, improving
plant characteristics through breeding
efforts and cultural techniques,
and enhancing the sustainability of
horticulture practices. To accomplish
this, they are divided into four
divisions: Conservation Horticulture
& Collections, Land Stewardship
and Ecology, Agriculture, Soils and
Compost, and Floriculture Production.
In the Production Greenhouses
Longwood grows 1,300 types of plants
each year for seasonal displays in the
Conservatory and outdoor gardens.
The newest production greenhouse
accommodates a variety of plant
materials, growing methods, and
environments and greatly increases
their level of environmental control,
automation, and overall sustainability.
It features 17 distinct growing zones
which allows them to attend to each
plant type’s individual needs.
The Conservatory Pest Walk covered
two primary areas. First was an
immersive walk-through Longwood’s
Conservatory spaces touching on
various interiorscape pests including
mealybugs, spider mites and thrips.
This tour touched on Longwood’s
comprehensive IPM philosophy which
includes custom management plans
for specific pests and incoming
invasives, as well as cultural and
biological control methods for
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Longwood’s famous dancing fountains

Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2022 35