Located on the east side of Reed Hall, the Greenhouse is
accessible from the 1st floor of the building. The outside door
(south wing) remains locked except for special occasions. The Greenhouse
Facilities provide students, educators, researchers and the public the
opportunity to utilize a climate controlled and professionally maintained plant
conservatory. Questions regarding the Radford University Greenhouse Facilities
may be directed to:
Darrell
White
117
Reed Hall
831-6233
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GREENHOUSE USE
I.
Hours of Operation
The
normal working hours for the greenhouses are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday
through Friday. However, it is recommended that you bring your key in case the
greenhouse is locked early.
II.
General Guidelines
A. Anyone wishing to bring plant
material into the greenhouse as an addition to the collection or for research
purposes must contact the Greenhouse Manager for an inspection prior to moving
plants. The Greenhouse Manager will determine whether to allow the plants into
the greenhouses.
B. Do not bring personal plants
into the greenhouse to be cared for over vacation periods, personal leaves, or
for any other reason.
C. Greenhouse supplies (pots,
soils, fertilizer, pesticides) are not for personal use.
D. No pesticides will be applied
without the consent of the Greenhouse Manager.
E.
Smoking is not allowed in any area of the greenhouse facilities.
F.
Do not remove any plant materials from the greenhouse without
consulting the Greenhouse Manager.
III.
Greenhouse Space Allocation
A. Researchers and instructors
who need greenhouse space will be required to fill out a Greenhouse Space Request Form and return the completed
form to the Greenhouse Manager. A reminder will be issued to request space on
July 1 and January 1 of each year. Users may, however, request space at any
time.
B. Current space demands,
project size, utilization efficiency, sanitation, cooperation and project
importance will all be considered when allocating space. Every effort will be
made to provide space to all those who need it.
C. Priority will be given to the
needs of the faculty, staff and students of the Department of Biology.
Non-departmental user greenhouse needs will be met as the facilities permit.
D. Any delays or possible delays
in the completion of a greenhouse project are to be discussed as soon as
possible with the greenhouse staff.
E.
All users of the greenhouse facilities are required to schedule an
orientation session with the Manager. This session will introduce the user to
resources within the greenhouse. The correct procedures to handle containers,
soil mixes and fertilizers; disease, pest avoidance and control; water systems
and watering; waste disposal and other topics will be discussed and
demonstrated.
IV.
Greenhouse Project Requirements
A. Project requirements for
greenhouse supplies (containers, soil mix, labels, etc.), are to be included on
the Greenhouse
Space Request Form.
Reasonable supplies of clean pots and flats, labels, fertilizer and soil mixes
are kept on hand for greenhouse users. A requirement for large quantities or
unusual types of supplies requires advance planning and consultation with the
greenhouse staff. Special or extra materials should be purchased using research
funds or course funds. Users must allow adequate time for the greenhouse staff
to obtain additional supplies if large quantities or unusual types of supplies
are required for an individual greenhouse project.
B.
The greenhouse staff will, upon request, assist with design, setup
and configuration of environmental conditions, planting and maintenance of
greenhouse projects. The staff will also water (including weekends and
holidays) and fertilize plants at the request of the user if a regular schedule
can be set up, and as long as watering and fertilizing are not part of
experimental treatments.
C. Reserved project space should
not be expanded without consulting the Greenhouse Manager.
V.
Responsibilities of Greenhouse Users
A.
All greenhouse space is to be kept clean and orderly by the
user(s).
B. Harvest all plant materials
required for experimental purposes in a timely fashion. Plant materials should
be disposed of immediately following the project.
C. Notify the greenhouse staff
promptly at the end of a greenhouse project. Assist with the disposal of
unneeded plant material and the removal of equipment at the completion of the
experiment.
D. When removing small amounts
of biomass or occasional disposal of plants, the waste containers in the
greenhouse are provided for your convenience. If removing large amounts of
material which would otherwise fill the waste containers, users are expected to
empty the waste containers, or remove their materials directly to the
appropriate dumpster.
E.
Report all insect and disease problems immediately to the
greenhouse staff.
F.
Headhouse (potting room) space is "common space." No
project material can be permanently maintained in headhouse
areas. Headhouse areas must be cleaned up immediately
after use. Field equipment may not be stored in the headhouse.
VI.
Use of the Plant Collections
A. Visitors are welcome in all
areas of the greenhouse. All group activities (classes, tour, etc.) are to be
scheduled at least a week in advance with the Greenhouse Manager. Department of
Biology faculty, students and staff will be given priority in the use of these
facilities.
B. The use of any plant material
from the plant collections is to be approved in advance by the Greenhouse
Staff. Plant material taken for scientific or class use is to be recorded by
the Greenhouse Manager. If the Manager is not available to record such use,
then an email message detailing date of use, class, specific
topic and the 4-digit accession number and Latin name of the plant should be
forwarded to the greenhouse manager ASAP.
C. Plant material to be grown
for classroom use is to be requested with an adequate lead time, preferably
prior to the beginning of the semester. Requests for first time uses of a crop
should be requested far enough in advance to allow for a test crop to be grown.
A delivery schedule for the plant material is also required.
D. Extra plant materials from
the collections which are free from pests are occasionally available for
giveaway. There is no pre-determined schedule and plants will be put out on a
first-come, first-served basis on the table outside the Manager’s office. Any
plants found in trash containers or in the dumpster are there for a reason and
should not be removed from such disposal containers.
VII. Greenhouse Sanitation and
Equipment Procedures
A. Use clean containers and
tools. Clean them after use.
B. Keep the media in soil
barrels or tubs clean. Do not re-use spilled soil including that which
accumulates on the floor during repotting.
C. Keep all hoses rolled and out
of the aisles when they are not in use.
D. All greenhouse benches, soil
bin covers and propagation benches are to be kept clean.
E.
Greenhouse growing areas are not storage areas for pots and other
cultural supplies. No items are to be stored on top of or under the benches.
Consult with the greenhouse staff for alternative storage. Any clutter left in
the greenhouses or access corridors will be removed without notice by the
greenhouse staff.
F.
Report breakage, loss or malfunction of any equipment to the
greenhouse staff.
G.
Greenhouse tools and equipment are not for personal use.
