Melon Yard Development
The current phase of redeveloping the facilities for Kew's
Alpine, Herbaceous and Science Support collections in the Melon
Yard is now complete.
The new Science Support unit comprises eight growing regimes
providing conditions from moist tropical to cool temperate.
Protected growing space has been increased by 40% and the unit
incorporates the latest in glasshouse technology. Connected to
the Jodrell Laboratory by a link corridor, a multi-span Venlo
glasshouse divided into five zones is fully computer controlled
and includes humidification, shading, irrigation and
supplementary lighting. A separate zone provides quarantine
facilities. Externally an all-weather frame (180 m2)
provides specialist growing conditions for cool temperate bulbs
(ensuring maximum ventilation) and 75 m2 is for use as
a standing out area.
The new Herbaceous and Alpine facilities also comprise Venlo
glasshouses with a variety of environments to house the diverse
and culturally demanding collections. The most advanced of these
will simulate equatorial montane conditions and allow us to
further develop skills in the cultivation of species from these
regions. Traditional cold frames have been replaced by polythene
tunnels with mechanically raised cladding and automated shading.
The performance of these will be monitored and, if they prove an
effective alternative, more will be built.
Upgrading of the Living Collections facilities continues as
redevelopment work now starts in the Lower Nursery where the
Tropical collections are housed.
Left:
Science Support staff, Clive Foster and Tracey Bryant, in one
zone of the new glasshouse. The Aloe
collection (foreground) is the subject of current cytological and
phytochemical research.
Contacts: Mike Sinnott
(0181-332 5527) and Clive Foster
(0181-332 5523)
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