The greenhouses at SUNY ESF were built in the late sixties...and the many different greenhouses are literally a climate change from what's going on eight floors below. They're used for research, to teach SUNY ESF students and more.

One of the unique uses are art classes where students come and sketch to get a feel for texture and form.  Another is SU fashion students who come to do different and unusual photo shoots.

And there are certainly benefits to working in this environment....especially in January.  They grow grapefruits, oranges and bananas, a dramatic difference from most of the Central New York landscape...especially at this time of year.

Not all the plants come willingly.  Some cacti and succulents that do not have the proper documentation when they enter the country are confiscated and quarantined by the government.  If the country of origination does not want them returned, they are distributed to numerous plant rescue facilities and SUNY ESF is one of those facilities. 

Like all state facilities, SUNY ESF's greenhouses are being re-evaluated right now. They may re-do the heating system to make it more green and more energy efficient. 

The collections here include the rare, and the common, and are more than just pleasing to the eye. They are full of surprises like the night blooming cactus, from the tropical rain forests of Brazil.  It produced about three dozen,10 inch in diameter, blooms this past July.

Most of the plants are for research purposes but the greenhouses are open to the public too.  If you would like to admire or to learn...like what a flower on a banana plant looks like, visit SUNY ESF greenhouses...just make sure to call ahead (470-6772).