by Emma Speckman
Aug. 19, 2014. The Appalachian State University biology department will host the biannual tropical plant sale on Thursday, Aug. 21.
The sale will take place at the greenhouse on Dale Street and run through Saturday, Aug. 23. The event will feature more than 800 species of tropical and perennial plants grown by the greenhouse’s volunteers.
The plant sale will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
“Last year we had about 500 people come to the sale,” said Greenhouse Manager Jerry Meyer.
Not everyone buys something, but the sale offers many people the opportunity to see the greenhouse for the first time, he said.
“The typical student comes looking for a windowsill plant,” Meyer said. “Popular are low maintenance plants like snake plant, spider plant as well as succulents like cacti, aloe and agave.”
These are plants that like sunny windows and dry growing conditions, he said, and can fit a typical student’s lifestyle.
The plants fit the average student’s budget as well. Prices start at just $1 per plant.
“The money we raise is used to help operate the greenhouse,” Meyer said.
In past years, the greenhouse sale has offered tropical plants, annuals, perennials, herbs and even several varieties of tomatoes.
There are typically six or eight greenhouse volunteers per semester, mostly students, who grow the plants.
“We have tropical plants from around the world, all grown by our trained volunteers,” Meyer said.
In addition to the plant sale and volunteer positions, the greenhouse offers a program called High Country Gardening, a monthly class series run through the biology department that teaches ornamental horticulture to gardeners of all skill levels.
The greenhouse is located at 211 Dale St. near the State Farm parking lot. For more information, click here.
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