Exotic Plant Collections Prepare for Winter in UBG Balchik

As autumn sets in, one of the signature displays at the University Botanical Garden in Balchik is gradually being prepared for the winter season. The large cacti and succulents that evoke desert landscapes for visitors during the warmer months are being moved into the greenhouses, where they will remain until spring.
Some of these impressive plants weigh more than 600 kg, making their relocation a demanding and delicate operation. Due to their fragile stems and imposing size, they must be handled manually, with assistance from colleagues at the University Botanical Garden in Varna. The collection comprises more than 800 specimens representing 42 plant species, covering an area of 680 m². Among its most striking members are cacti of the genus Opuntia, along with succulents from the family Euphorbiaceae and the agave family (Agavaceae). Once the xerophyts from the dry tropics have been moved indoors, it will be time to bring in their more moisture-loving counterparts: the palm and tropical plant collections.
Throughout the winter, these plants are kept in greenhouses at temperatures of around 15°C, adjusted to the requirements of the different collections. With the arrival of spring, they will return to their outdoor displays, once again showcasing their remarkable range of forms, sizes and exotic colours.  Look forward to the return of some of the Botanical Garden’s most recognisable displays in April and May. Meanwhile, visitors can enjoy an even wider diversity of tropical plants in the Garden’s display greenhouse, where a variety of xerophytic species come into bloom in January and February.