Orchids and Rainforests

Wait a minute! Isn't this a blog about Vienna, Austria? What's this about orchids and rainforests? Well that's what Jerry and I saw on Saturday, and not only in Vienna, but just down the road from us in Hirschstetten. For those of you to whom Transdanubia might as well be on the border of Siberia, Hirshstetten is one of the exits off the Sueosttangente once you have crossed the Prater Bridge. The 22nd district is made up of several former villages, and the main street of Hirschstetten (Deer place) could be any farming village North East of Vienna - until you get far enough that you can see around the corner to the Coptic Orthodox Church. Go past it (left at the end of the village) and right after the cemetery on the left is the entrance to the parking for the Blumengaerten Hirschstetten. This is where most of the plants are raised for the various gardens of the City of Vienna. We once visited the greenhouses on a special occasion. That is usually not possible, but the Palmenhaus can be visited. The central part of it is kept at rainforest conditions. The signs all say to be sure to close all doors because of free-living monkeys. We didn't see them, but between the wonderful collection of plants we also a variety of terrariums holding a lovely iguana, turtles, a squirrel-like creature, giant snails, frogs, and other creatures. There was also a pool with koi, some of which were quite large. The side areas were not as hot or as humid, and had different vegetation.

Right now (Until Sunday, February 10) most of the visitors were going right instead of straight into the Palm house. A ways back, in one of the greenhouses is a lovely orchid exhibit. There were a vast assortment of all colours and shapes of orchids, and a few other tropical plants. Exhibits by botanical gardens and orchid clubs alternated with stands by garden shops that specialize in orchids, and a large proportion to those leaving the exhibit had bought a plant, orchid earth, fertilizer, or something of the sort. I like growing herbs and vegetables, but I don't do as well with flowers, even in the garden, and houseplants just don't survive, although I was almost temped by the cacti labeled 'winter hard'. But I've also done a fair job of killing cacti before. I might have been tempted by the vanilla plants if there hadn't been a long explanation posted about how difficult it is to turn the green pods into the brown sticks we buy. However it was fascinating to spend time looking at all the flowers, and breathing in the various aromas in the greenhouse.

Other Palm Houses in Vienna that can be visited are at the Hofburg and Schoenbrunn palace. The one at Schoenbrunn has been in the news recently. A few years back it was renovated. No expense was spared in replacing the old glass. At the same time it was decided that as the 'Sisi Palm', the largest they had and very old, needed repotting, it would be easier to plant it down into the earth, rather than to find a pot the right size for it. Well, the plant seems to have liked that, as it has had a growth spurt, and has now reached the top of the building, and threatens to break through. If you want to see this plant, you have to hurry, as in a few weeks the Palm House will be closed for a day or two to allow the gardeners to cut it down. They will first cut off all the leaves, then remove the trunk a meter or so at a time to be sure not to damage any of the other plants.