2.Flower Dome (Cold & Dry Conservatory)
The Flower Dome occupies an area of 1.2 hectares (3.0 acres) in the Gardens by the Bay, Singapore. It replicates a mild, dry climate and features plants found in the Mediterranean regions like South Africa, California, parts of Spain and Italy and other semi-arid tropical regions e.g. parts of Australia, South America, South Africa.
Amazing plants and flowers from different corners of the globe are preserved here and regular flower shows and displays are held within the conservatory.It is home to a collection of plants from deserts all over the world.
With Singapore’s unfriendly “too hot” and “too humid” climate, its hats off to the planners who thought about creating glass conservatories that could both, be artificially cooled and naturally lit by the relentless sun – a tropical greatness!
With 3,332 panels of 42 varying shapes and sizes of spectrally selective glass, the Flower Dome is like a giant puzzle!The height of the Flower Dome is 38 meters (125 ft) and it maintains a temperature between 23°C and 25°C; slightly lower at night.
The Flower Dome features 7 different “gardens” described below:
- The succulent garden and The Baobabs – Plants in this section are mainly from the most arid warm temperate zones i.e. USA, Mexico, Africa and Madagascar.
- The Australian garden – contains plants from warm temperate arid and semi-arid zones in Australia including the famous Wollemi Pine and some Eucalypts.
- The South African garden contains plants from a wide range of zones in South Africa.
- The South American garden contains plants from temperate semi-arid zones of South America.
- The Mediterranean garden contains plants from the areas around the Mediterranean Sea like Stone Pine, Cork Oak and Canary Island Date Palm.
- The Californian garden contains few plants from California.
3.Super Tree Groove
Supertrees are uniquely designed vertical gardens of 25 to 50 metres height, having large canopies that provide shade in the day. They perform a multitude of functions, which include planting, shading and working as environmental engines for the gardens.
The Supertrees are home to many unique and exotic ferns, vines, orchids and other plants.
They are fitted with photovoltaic cells that mimic the ecological function of trees for harnessing solar energy to perform the following functions:
- Photosynthesis
- Collection of Rainwater
- The Super trees also serve as Air ‘intake’ and ‘exhaust’ as part of the ‘ cooling systems of the conservatories.
Hope you enjoyed the tour. Shall be back shortly with my next travelogue. Till then, take care.
Nice write up. All beautiful things demand hefty maintenance !
you can not be more correct on this…
Sir
Fine. Everything is possible with limited and disciplined population.good governance> Actually more Indians specifically Tamils live in Singapore. They follow all rules and regulations of Singapore govt. When they come to India they don’t follow it and exercise their Indian Republic and Democratic applications.
whereas in our country main task is alarmingly growing population, opportunistic politicians, uneducated population, caste, creed, color apart from all the most sensitive religion .
Dear Chanpree,
Thanks.
“Governance” does not require a justification! Discipline has to be demonstrated by the leaders. Then only a common man will follow.
Singapore has about 10%-12% Indians and Tamil has an Official status.
Singapore also has parliamentary democracy like ours. But it works well there mainly because of stringent rules, honest people, and a corruption free system!
‘Illiteracy’ in our country may be taken as an opportunity to provide more education and improve the conditions rather than exploitation & vote bank.
Common man in Singapore is disciplined mainly because Army Service is compulsory for all (minimum 2 yrs).
A small country, with a population of about 5.3 million has carved a niche in the Globe – with the 3rd highest ‘per capita income in the world’; the lowest unemployment rate (~3%); Home ownership is about 87% – duly encouraged and supported by the government; Singapore has the world’s highest percentage of millionaires; Currently it is the only Asian Country with ‘AAA’ rating from all three- S&P’s, Moody’s & Fitch; It has the highest Trade to GDP ratio in the world( 400 %).
Key factors are Corruption-free environment, Skilled work force and low Tax Rates besides dedicated people!