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I had the chance to get to the zoo to visit their Orchid Odyssey and take the Botanical Bus Tour. As I mentioned in an earlier blog, this happens every 3rd Friday and I would highly recommend the experience. Visit the
Zoo's website to see their calendar and get directions. (The orchid greenhouse can be tricky to find. It's on Front St. just past the Meerkats.) It's well worth the hunt!
I was greeted by volunteer David Brown, a past president of the San Diego Orchid Society and recipient of the Orchid
Digest Diamond Award of Excellence. David's extremely knowledgeable and funny. His willingness to spend time with visitors answering questions and relaying facts illustrates his passion to pass on his knowledge about Orchids. Here's his insider tip to the Orchid Odyssey and the Botanical Bus Tour - even if you came every month...each time would be a new experience because every month something different is blooming. The bus tours have a different focus each time as well; they are 'dynamic and ever changing based on seasons and new developments.' This trip highlighted propagation and pollination. The Zoological gardens contain plant species from all over the world and purportedly is worth more than the animals.
So, back to what was blooming. The tour includes a sheet with lists of plants that are currently in flower along with the location of Notable displays and Plant Facts.
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| African Tulip Tree - Spathodea campanulata |
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| Scarlet Gum - Eucalyptus ficiflolia |
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Reminder: The Orchid House, located behind the Kopje Exhibit, is open every third Friday from 10:00am - 2:00pm. According to their brochure Orchids can also be seen growing in trees at Fern Canyon and in a special display there.
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| Strawberry Tree - Arbutus unedo | | | |
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| Cape Honeysuckle - Tecomaria capensis |
And just for fun... because what's more fun than a picture of a Rhino? I will relate that the plants in the foreground are Giant Birds of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) and Elephant's Food (Portulacaria afra).
I'd recommend the upper deck on the bus because the unobstructed views of both flora and fauna were worth braving the heat.
from the office of Torrey Pines Landscape Co., Inc
858-880-8507
I was greeted by volunteer David Brown, a past president of the San Diego Orchid Society and recipient of the Orchid
Digest Diamond Award of Excellence. David's extremely knowledgeable and funny. His willingness to spend time with visitors answering questions and relaying facts illustrates his passion to pass on his knowledge about Orchids. Here's his insider tip to the Orchid Odyssey and the Botanical Bus Tour - even if you came every month...each time would be a new experience because every month something different is blooming. The bus tours have a different focus each time as well; they are 'dynamic and ever changing based on seasons and new developments.' This trip highlighted propagation and pollination. The Zoological gardens contain plant species from all over the world and purportedly is worth more than the animals. 
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