Night-time event at Gruson Greenhouses, lasting from August 13 until 10 PM.
On August 13th, the Gruson Greenhouses will be hosting a special event, the Victoria Night, where visitors can witness the rare blooming of the South American giant water lily, "Victoria cruziana".
This extraordinary plant, also known as the Santa Cruz water lily, is one of the most captivating specimens in the greenhouses. Native to South America, particularly the Panama River region, it belongs to the family Nymphaeaceae, which includes approximately 60 species of freshwater flowering plants.
Botanically, Victoria cruziana is characterized by its enormous, buoyant leaves with upturned edges that can support substantial weight, and thick underwater stems from which the leaves and flowers arise. The flowers are large, cuplike, and exhibit a spiral arrangement of petals. They are showy and fragrant, typically borne singly at or above the water surface on long stalks.
The blooming cycle of the Victoria cruziana is unique. The flowers do not open frequently and require specific environmental conditions to bloom, which makes seeing a full bloom a special event. The blooming process involves the flower opening at night, changing color from white to pink/red over two nights to facilitate pollination by beetles, which are attracted during the flower's fragrant phase. After pollination, the fruit develops underwater until it releases seeds.
During the Victoria Night event, a time-lapse film will illustrate the development of the blooms during the night. Attendees can also attend Dr. Michael Gruß's short talk on the historical aspects of the discovery and cultivation, as well as the botanical peculiarities of the giant water lily. Greenhouse staff will be available from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM to answer questions and provide explanations.
The regular admission fee for the Victoria Night event is 3.50 Euro. However, for those eligible for reduced admission, the fee is 2.00 Euro. Tropical cocktails and snacks will be available in the courtyard.
The Victoria Night event at Gruson Greenhouses is open to the public, offering an opportunity for plant enthusiasts and curious minds to witness this rare and fascinating event. Don't miss out on this unique experience!
[1] "Victoria cruziana." The Plant List. 2013. Web. 17 July 2021. https://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2650990 [2] "Victoria cruziana." Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Web. 17 July 2021. https://www.kew.org/science-conservation/plants-fungi/victoria-cruziana [3] "Victoria cruziana." Missouri Botanical Garden. Web. 17 July 2021. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=v035 [4] "Victoria cruziana." Longwood Gardens. Web. 17 July 2021. https://www.longwoodgardens.org/plants-and-gardens/victoria-cruziana [5] "Victoria cruziana." New York Botanical Garden. Web. 17 July 2021. https://www.nybg.org/collections/plants/victoria-cruziana/
- On August 13th, as part of the Other events hosted by Gruson Greenhouses, visitors can explore their home-and-garden section by learning about the distinctive lifestyle of the South American giant water lily, Victoria cruziana, during the Victoria Night event.
- The home-and-garden lover can delve deeper into the fascinating lifestyle of the Victoria cruziana by attending educational talks, available resources, and time-lapse films provided at the Victoria Night event, giving them a unique opportunity to understand this rare plant more comprehensively.
