VT Museum of Natural History Mini-series on the Wonderful Diversity of Plants

- introduction to the mini-series
- introductory information on bonsai in general
- discussion of projected bonsai web sites world-wide
- discussion of styles, cultural info., etc.
- repotting & root pruning demonstration
- brief discussion on saikei (miniature landscapes) with visual aid pictures
- listing of buying / judging criteria
- answered parent & student questions
- bonsai handouts made available

Session 2: Cacti & Succulents

March 29, 1997;10am

Visual aid plants borrowed from the Virginia Tech Horticulture Department's indoor plants class supply greenhouse; special thanks to Dr. Jerry Williams.

- had "cacti" on an Internet search engine for self-exploration by the students
- discussion of visual aid plants & student interaction
- answered student & parent questions
- dish garden hands-on activity: 1 upright cactus & several sprigs of various sedum
hybrids each in 4 inch plastic pots
- discussion of dish garden care principles

Session 3: Tropical Plants

April 19, 1997; 10am

Hands-on activity plants & media donated by, & visual aid plants borrowed from, the Virginia Tech Horticulture Department's indoor plants class stock plant greenhouse; special thanks to Dr. Jerry Williams.

- unveiling of the Hort. & the Community: VT Museum of Natural History service learning work site web page to early arrivals that were in previous sessions
- pass out handout on terrarium construction & plant selection
- terrarium hands-on activity: 1 fern of 2 species each in a large, glass cookie jar with a lid, box provided for safer transport home
- discussion of terrarium care principles
- discussion of the real tropical environment & visual aid plants
- answer student & parent questions
- student & participating parent mini-series survey