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The Cheyenne Botanic Conservatory was built in 1986. It was based
on the Cheyenne Community Solar Greenhouse structure which we occupied from 1977
to 1986. This was the first large-sized solar heated greenhouse built in the
country. In addition to the structure being solar heated, 50% of the electricity
is generated by solar photovoltaic power. Click here
to learn more about our solar energy systems.
The Solar Conservatory houses our administrative offices, library, a small
meeting room with kitchen, and a root cellar where we store seeds, produce and
more. It is open weekdays 7:30 - 4:30 and weekends from 11:00 to 3:30. The
Conservatory is closed most holidays. Call for more information 307-637-6458.
Plantings of the Solar Conservatory
Because this space is 100% solar heated the
planting schedule is adjusted to the indoor environment rather than having the
environment adjust to the plantings as with traditional greenhouses. The
Conservatory has three sections: East, West, and the Center section.
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Bedding
Plants being
grown for City Parks |
The Center section is primarily for education where we grow tropical plants
important in everyday life such as bananas, coffee, figs, bamboo, etc. In
addition we have demonstrations of herbs, water plants, cacti and succulents,
bonsai, and orchids. We also try to always have plants in bloom, especially in
winter when people are suffering from cabin fever.
The East and West sections grow primarily food crops from July through February.
The food is distributed to our volunteers and what is left over goes to local
feeding programs. You may also see a smattering of cut flowers that are for
in-house bouquets and also for distribution to volunteers. From March through
June these houses grow over 50,000 bedding plants from seed which are then
planted out into over 85 flower beds on both the Botanic Gardens grounds as well
as all the city park flower beds. Both Botanic Garden flower beds and City Park
beds are maintained by the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens staff and volunteers.
Photo tour of the conservatory |
