Victoria basin

The Victoria basin in front of the Tropical House was built in the 1970s. Giant water lilies of the Victoria genus are cultivated here. The plants are obtained as seedlings from other botanical gardens and replanted each year in the Victoria basin. Within seven months, the initially tiny plants form leaves with a diameter of over 150 cm.

An air-carrying network of veins ensures that the giant leaves can float. In extreme cases, such a leaf can carry up to 150 kilos. Incisions on the edge of the leaf ensure that water can drain away during heavy rainfall. The underside of the leaf is covered with spines that protect it from herbivorous aquatic animals.

The large flowers of the Victoria blossom white in midsummer on the first night, close and turn deep purple on the second night, before slowly sinking into the water and forming seeds the next morning.

In winter, the water in the Victoria basin is drained. The empty basin [JP1] then serves as a nursery for other plants in the meantime, before the giant water lilies move back in in early summer.