Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit the Collections Greenhouse? Once it is built and we are occupying it, yes. Call first. Our diverse collection of plants make for an educational field trip. Of interest are our Carnivorous plants, Orchids, primitive plants, tropical and xeric plants. The plants are well organized and labeled.
Can I get a tour guide for my group? We have several talented docents but they are not always available. Please call 4 weeks in advance to make arrangements for a guided tour. We charge 1$ per person to recover costs. Groups should be no larger than 25 people.
Where do I park? Parking is a difficult issue through out the Duke University Campus. We encourage groups to be dropped off and picked up at the greenhouse. For other options please call staff at 660-7334.
Can I donate my plant to the greenhouse? We gladly accept plants or seed that add to our diverse teaching collection. Some of our more interesting and unusual plants come to us this way. To use space and other resources well, we limit the plants that we take in. Each plant in our collection fulfills a specific design function. This is important to the continuing development of our greenhouses. If you have a common houseplant or a plant that has outgrown its living space, we will take it but it might end up as a faculty or staff office plant. Donations are permanent and any future decisions regarding donated plants will be at the discretion of the greenhouse manager.
What are the numbers on the blue identification tags on the Collection plants? Our identification tags indicate family, genus, species, range, and identification number. The first two numbers refer to the year that the plant came in. Our oldest plants start with the number 66. 1966 was the beginning of our current accession system. Many of our plants are older than that and can be traced back to the original greenhouses on the main quad where Psychology is now housed.
Can I find more information on the specific plants in the Collections? When we get a new plant an accession sheet is written up. This sheet contains specific information on the culture and history of the plant. Hard copies can be found in the blue loose-leaf notebooks currently housed in the supply area near the entrance to the Research Greenhouse. Electronic copies are also available. Contact Greenhouse staff for a copy.
I don't see many insects in the greenhouses. Do you spray a lot of pesticides? Our biggest line of defense is to keep the houses clean and clutter free. When we can, we implement an IPM (integrated pest management) program. This incorporates a variety of cultural, biological and chemical methods. We have been fairly successful with using biological control and cultural methods solely but on occasion we will spray pesticides. This task is usually set-aside for Friday mornings. It's not a good idea to eat fruit from our houses unless indicated by staff.
Can I bring my diseased plant in for a consultation? We don't provide that kind of service but two other places do: NC State University Plant Disease and Insect Clinic (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/clinic) and the Master Gardener Volunteer Program.
Are you affiliated with The Sarah Duke Gardens? Technically no but we share resources such as plants and plant expertise. Our missions are completely different. Sarah P. Duke Gardens.
Where can I learn more about growing native plants? Here is a list of UNC's recommended sources of native plants.
For general Gardening references:
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Growing Flowers in Durham
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Lawn and Garden References from NC Cooperative Extension
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