Bobby & Belinda Visit the Sunken Garden!
Triangle Palm
This past week the Horticulture staff transplanted a Triangle Palm, Dypsis decaryi into the Palm Dome. There is currently an older Triangle Palm in a nearby location which is almost touching the ceiling. Triangle Palms can grow to about 50 feet in height. At some point the older Triangle Palm will need to be cut…
Inga
It has been a couple of years since the Inga Tree has been pruned in Tropical Encounters. Pruning is an involved process because we have to bring out tall ladders and extendable pruning tools. It is sometimes difficult to maneuver ladders in the plant beds because of plant material in the beds and the unlevel…
Association of Zoos & Aquariums Grants Accreditation To Como Zoo
The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) announced that the Como Zoo was granted accreditation by AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission. The President and CEO of AZA, Jim Maddy, will make a special presentation on December 15th at 3:30pm to Mayor Chris Coleman & the City Council in the City Council Chambers to recognize the honor….
Brrrrr!!!!
Well, in case you didn’t notice, it seems as though winter is here to stay! We had a wet heavy snow move through on the 13th that caused quite a bit of damage to some mature trees around campus. We filled 5 or 6 dump trucks full of debris to be hauled away to compost….
Exhibit Featuring Ultra Close-up Photography to be Displayed at Como
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory proudly presents ‘A Journey into the World of Insects from their Perspective – Up Close & Personal’, a photo exhibit featuring dramatic close-up images of insects and plants by Minneapolis artist Bill Johnson. The exhibit will open to the public on Saturday, December 11 and run thru Sunday January 23….
What’s happening with hydrangeas?
This week horticulture staff are begining to remove all the leaves from next spring’s hydrangea crop. You may be wondering why we would remove all the leaves from perfectly healthy plants. Hydrangea plants need to undergo a dormancy in order to flower. Outside, they would go dormant in the winter when temperatures drop. In the…
Reacquaint Yourself with a Distant Cousin at Como
Orangutan Awareness Weekend November 13 & 14! Orangutans are considered one of the closest living relatives to humans, sharing 97 percent of the same DNA, yet experts predict wild orangutans could become extinct as natural populations in ten to twenty years. On November 13 & 14, find out how to help these magnificent animals during Como…
Good Question! How do zoo animals sleep at night?
WCCO-TV was out last night to do a fun story on zoo animal sleeping habits. Check it out!
Planning Annuals
This is the time of year for raking leaves, cleaning up garden beds, and believe it or not, planning and ordering our plants for next year. Right now our outside gardening staff is hard at work, planning, designing planters and beds, and picking out fun and exciting plants for next years displays. We aquire many…
Marjorie McNeely Conservatory Celebrates 95th Anniversary
Flowers Will Be Given to First 95 Visitors On November 7! The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory opened it doors to the public as the Como Park Conservatory on Sunday, November 7, 1915. Exactly 95 years later, in celebration of the anniversary, the first 95 visitors on Sunday, November 7, 2010 will receive a flower direct from…
Tune In To The Tundra – LIVE!
The annual polar bear migration is underway in Churchill, Manitoba. You’re invited to join Polar Bears International LIVE to meet and talk with world-renowned scientists during their exclusive webcasts from the tundra in October and November. Check out Tundra Connections 2010 for the program schedule, viewing information, and complete list of panelists. It’s a line-up…
MMC Awarded Grant From MAOC!
The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory recently was awarded a 0 grant from the Mid-America Orchid Congress (MAOC). The receipt of this grant is based on our active efforts to promote orchid conservation and awareness. The classes, talks, and displays we offer provide examples of primarily neo-tropical (Central and South American) specimens. Our weekly Gardener Talks on…
Day #9 on the Tundra With Zookeeper Sara **WARNING** A bit graphic!
Sara, one of our zoo keepers, is in the Arctic right now with Polar Bears International. She has been sending me great, quick reports & pictures. This is from day 9: "Once in a lifetime viewing today, we saw a male polar bear eating a seal carcass on the shores of the Hudson Bay. Three…
