Nothing says Spring like ducklings. This past week we got in 4 ducklings of various breeds. They will participate in the Creature Feature show this Summer which highlights animals’ natural behaviors in a story type format. Initially the ducklings were anxious when I was around, scurrying away and peeping at me. Now though, they perk…
Anxiously awaiting the Victoria Water Platters
The Victoria Water Platter lilies were planted from seed in the beginning of March. It takes the seeds a couple of weeks to germinate. The seeds germinate in temperature controlled tubs of water. Victorias are native to the Amazon therefore the tubs are about 80 degrees fahrenheit. The Victorias will be going out to heated…
Answer the call of the wild: donate your cell phone!
KSTP Phone-a-Thon
Next week on Wednesday, 13 April, KSTP and Como Friends will host a phone-a-thon for Como Zoo. Call in to sponsor an animal at the Como Zoo and help support your favorite zoo resident. Your contribution will be used to enhance animal habitats and maintain the best care possible for all of Como Zoo’s animals….
TOAD’ally Awesome Amphibians on KARE-11
Preparing for Spring
The Horticulture staff is busy installing the Spring flower show in the Sunken Garden. On Monday March 21st staff and volunteers removed the Winter show to prepare the room for Spring planting. Some of the plants from the Winter show are reused from year to year. Azaleas, Amaryllis, and Velthemia are moved to the production…
Mushrooms: More than just delicous to eat!!
Last February, Forestry worked at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory removing and pruning trees in the North Garden, Palm Dome and Tropical Encounters. The Horticulture department also recently hired a new Horticulture employee that has an interest in growing mushrooms! Our new mushroom expert suggested that we try growing mushrooms on the stump that was leftover…
Office Visit
Yesterday I had a special visitor to my office. The conversation was pretty one sided and I ended up doing most of the talking, she just hung out under my desk and ate fish!It was as you can tell by the picture an African Penguin. BJ is our resident Penguin Ambassador and charms people young…
Gorillas in the snow
The gorillas ventured out to their outdoor exhibit today despite the snow being hip deep in parts. This opportunity is possible because of the warm March weather we are currently enjoying. Both Togo and Schroeder made their way around the perimeter picking up hand-fulls of snow to eat and munching on the diet the zoo…
Prickly but adorable!
The Animal Support Building zoo keepers welcomed some new additions into the zoo collection on February 28th; Baby Hedgehogs! These little cuties are actually born with quills, but they are soft to make for an easier delivery for Mom. The quills start to harden shortly after birth. They will stay with Mom for 4-6 weeks…
Forestry pruning in the Japanese Garden
Every February & March St. Paul’s Forestry Department prunes in the Japanese Garden. They prune the Austrian pines on a rotating basis (ex. one year they will prune half of the pines and the next year they will prune the other half). The purpose of prunning these pines is partially done for aesthetic reasons, but…
FOX-9 Visits The Winter Flower Show
Thanks FOX-9 & Dale K. for stopping out! The Winter Flowe show is on now through March 20th. The Sunken Garden will be closed March 21 – March 25 to prepare for the Spring Flower ShowMarjorie McNeely Conservatory Tour: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com
Forestry in Tropical Encounters
Recently the horticulture staff received some help from the City’s Forestry Department to do some tree maintenance in the Tropical Encounters exhibit. Some of the large trees in the exhibit were beginning to out-grow the space and needed to be pruned back or removed completely. The horticulture staff typically does plant maintenance in the exhibit…
See What’s Cooking For Valentine’s Day Dinner
Chef Art appears on KARE-11 preparing the delicious Valentine’s Dinner.
Garden Guy Dale K. takes you on a tour of the Conservatory
Garden Guy at Marjorie McNeely Conservatory : MyFoxTWINCITIES.com
