|
Growing techniques are constantly improving, and the Botanical Garden must stay on the
cutting edge. For instance:
- The first computerized greenhouse complex in Québec was built at the Garden in 1984. Now about
three-quarters of mechanical operations in our 56 greenhouses, including ventilation, humidity,
lighting and temperature controls, are automated. Our expertise was used in designing the computerized
controls at the Biodôme and will be incorporated in an all-new exhibition greenhouse at the
Shanghai Botanical Garden, slated to open in the near future.
- Methods for protecting plants from the winter cold took a big step forward with the development
in the late 1980s of a thermal blanket for rose bushes, thereby avoiding the use of polystyrene
cones, both less efficient and time-consuming to install.
- Integrated and biological pest control techniques are being used more widely all the time at
the Garden. Numerous approaches have been developed over the years to combat the many pests that
attack our crops, while reducing the use of pesticides. Several of our greenhouses are now protected
entirely by biological means.
|
 |
 |
