self-intro

Skiffer@aol.com
Wed, 25 Oct 1995 11:50:25 -0400

Hi- I'm Susan Ferguson, Education Curator at the Des Moines Botanical Center
in Iowa USA. We have a 90' geodesic dome planted with tropicals (pan-tropical
low rainfall and high rainfall areas), a Bonsai collection, a Deaton
wildflower exhibit, exterior hardy cactus and succulent collection, 14 acres
of assorted gardens, and 4 production greenhouses. Been here two years-
previously 7 years at Tryon Palace HIstoric Sites and Gardens in coastal
North Carolina, and gardens in South Dakota, Kansas, and California. I grew-
attempted to grow- VFTs in small terrariums long ago when I was a student-
most turned black and died fairly quickly. I know most of the ones we sell in
the gift shop here suffer a similiar fate. I want to write a small brochure
on proper culture that could go with each sale. Also we have a large
temperature-controlled lighted terrarium that we want to develop as a lobby
exhibit with a vatiety of small plants including cp, and American green
anoles and tree frogs. Advice welcome. And of course I'm always looking for
good black and white graphics and teaching materials for adults and school
children. One of the most common questions I get from kids (after "Are there
any snakes in here?") is "Do you have any carnivourous plants?" Right now the
answer is no but we'd like to change that. Particularily interested in any
Iowa cp, and easy tropical sp.
I've been enjoying the discussion- even the perennial outraged debate on
habitat destruction and environmental law- I'll add some of this info to the
classroom discussions I have with kids on endangered species. Most of them
think it's only the distant rainforests than are at risk. Looking forward to
hearing from everyone. Thanks!