Adolph C. and Eugenie Mayer Bolz Conservatory

Olbrich's Tropical Bolz Conservatory The tropical Bolz Conservatory houses over 750 plants representing over 70 families and over 550 different species and cultivars. These plants are native to tropical and sub-tropical regions throughout the world.  The glass pyramid measures 100' by 100', rising to 50' in the center.  The temperature in the Conservatory is maintained between 65°F and 80°F (between 18C and 26C), and may warm to 95°F (35C) on hot summer days.  The relative humidity is kept above 60% year-round.

Garden Accessibility Olbrich Botanical Gardens is committed to making its gardens, events and concerts accessible to everyone in the community. Plants in the Conservatory  The Bolz Conservatory's collection of plants mimics the great diversity of plants that exists within the world's tropical forests.  From the towering palms to the huge-leafed Xanthosoma, look for both new and familiar plants.  Many common food and spice plants are found in the Conservatory as well.  Like natural rain forest habitats, the Bolz Conservatory houses emergent and canopy trees that grow tall to capture the sun, while the understory and ground-dwelling plants are spread horizontally in their search for more sunlight.  The leaves of the ground-dwelling plants are large and broad to catch the rays of the sun.  Tropical forests are the earth's most diverse habitat, and home to at least half of all species on earth even though they cover less than 5% of the land surface.  Unfortunately, the tropical rainforest is one of the most endangered habitats on earth.  The current rate of rain forest destruction is astounding, with five times the area of the Bolz Conservatory being destroyed every second. The largest tracts of rainforests remaining in the world are found in South America, central Africa and southeast Asia.

	The Conservatory's Wildlife Birds: Free-flying Canaries, Waxbills, and Coturnix Quail are found in the Conservatory.  All birds in the Conservatory were domestically raised.  Canaries range in color from brown to orange to yellow and are the size of a parakeet.   They are native to the Canary Islands near the northwest coast of Africa.   Waxbills are smaller than sparrows and are red-buff/gray in color.  Waxbills are native to Central Africa.  Coturnix quail are brown and gray and stand about eight inches in height.  They are native to Asia.  The canaries and waxbills are often seen flying around the treetops or roosting in the taller trees or feeding at a feeder station.  The quail are solely ground birds and can be seen scratching at the ground under the protective cover of plants.  Fish: Goldfish and Koi, a large, colorful form of carp, live in the pond and stream.  They eat a commercial food called "Koi Sticks."  Amphibians:  Tree frogs and toads came in on some of the plant material.  They are occasionally heard but seldom seen.  Reptiles:  House and Mediterranean geckos were released in December 1992.   They are diurnal (active during the day), about six inches long, and quite harmless to humans.  In some parts of the tropics it is considered good luck to have geckos in your home.  Insects:  Beneficial predatory insects like green lacewing, and pirate bugs are periodically released into the Conservatory to feed on harmful insects.  These biological controls are part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system and have eliminated the need for insecticide spraying.

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