Garden of Discovery - February 2003

One of the wonders of the natural world has been taking place at the Garden of Discovery. Recently welcome visitors, monarch butterflies, have taken up residence completing all phases of their metamorphosis at the Garden.

The monarchs (Danaus plexippus) are attracted to the milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) growing in the Butterfly, Bird and Bee Garden. In fact, they need this plant to live and reproduce. In November, female butterflies were seen depositing a single egg per milkweed leaf. Upon hatching the caterpillar becomes an eating machine increasing its weight 3,000 times in 3 weeks! The milkweed contains a toxin that the monarch can tolerate, but makes them undesirable prey for birds. Just last week our monarchs began to emerge from their pupa stage taking flight as butterflies. Hence, a generation was complete.

The Rocky Mountains serve to divide the monarchs into 2 major North American populations with different migration routes. The western butterflies travel from their summer mountain homes to various overwintering locations along the California coast. The eastern migration is much more dramatic with the mystery of their winter destination only resolved in the mid 1970’s. Waves of monarchs from as far north as Canada begin flying south in September spending the winter at specific sites in the mountains of central Mexico. Each year hundreds of school kids are involved with tagging and tracking the eastern migration. Their involvement has been instrumental in the understanding of this wonderful event.

Witnessing the modest visit of monarchs to the Garden of Discovery provides a glimpse into this remarkable natural phenomenon. On your next SeaWorld visit be sure to checkout our Butterfly, Bird and Bee Garden.

Three stages in a Monarch’s life cycle at the Garden of Discovery.
Caterpillar – Chrysalis – Emerging Adult

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Great Teamwork

Teamwork, planning, intensity…. All of these concepts came together on Super Bowl Sunday, January 26th. However, we are not talking about the football game at Qualcomm Stadium!!

Starting at 6:30 am Landscape Supervisor, Julio Perez, and a stalwart crew of 13 planted the main entrance flowerbed completing the job by 9:00 am. Earlier in the week this spacious color bed had been removed to make room for a stage used at a pre-Super Bowl party. With the stage removed, our Landscape Department team members took on the challenge of planting 165 flats of flowers. Like the game later that day, organization and effort were essential for this planting team. With a magnificent color bed in place before park opening this group clearly met their goal!!

Container Gardening

It’s time to get those creative juices flowing! Just about anything can be used as a decorative container for planting. Fun things to use include old teakettles, watering cans, barrels, or cement blocks. A wide variety of plants can be grown in a container as long as there is sufficient drainage and room for potting soil. With spring just around the corner, it’s an excellent time to clean out the garage and put to use many of those items that have been collecting dust.

Planting a decorative pot isn’t difficult, however, it’s important to keep certain items in mind. When choosing soil for a container, select material that provides good drainage. Regular watering and fertilization are essential with container plantings especially when plants become root bound as the ratio of soil to roots decreases. For especially heavy pots consider purchasing rolling container bases available at home improvement stores or garden centers.

With careful planning potted plants may be used to create a beautiful environment for all to enjoy. A gardener may choose specific themes for each container or mix a variety of plants in one. It’s important to consider the needs of the individual plants including water requirements, light preference and eventual size. Some theme ideas include vegetables, herbs, plants that attract birds or butterflies. Or maybe you would enjoy succulents, cactus, scented plants, or specific color themes. Containers look best when grouped together. Whatever you choose, the satisfaction of a well-planned container garden can be very rewarding.

Wildlife Watch

Weather Report

The “Pineapple Express” storm that rolled through SeaWorld San Diego February 11th to 14th dropped a much needed 2.61 inches of rain. This type of storm is a rare visitor to SeaWorld so now guests can expect more normal conditions: daily high temperatures in the upper 60’s with night time lows in the 50’s. Sea breezes refresh at a mild 5 mph with the percentage of possible sunshine 72%.

Greetings From SeaWorld’s Garden of Discovery

What’s Happening in SeaWorld’s Gardens This Month?

Three stages in a Monarch’s life cycle at the Garden of Discovery.
Caterpillar – Chrysalis – Emerging Adult

Great Teamwork

SeaWorld’s Super Bowl of color team

165 empty flats, just in a mornings work.

Container Gardening

Outreach Update

Jay Lewenstein and Montgomery Middle School take a
Horticultural tour of SeaWorld's gardens.

Wildlife Watch

Weather Report

Greetings From SeaWorld’s Garden of Discovery

What’s Happening in SeaWorld’s Gardens This Month?

Three stages in a Monarch’s life cycle at the Garden of Discovery. Caterpillar – Chrysalis – Emerging Adult

Great Teamwork

SeaWorld’s Super Bowl of color team

165 empty flats, just in a mornings work.

Container Gardening

Outreach Update

Jay Lewenstein and Montgomery Middle School take a Horticultural tour of SeaWorld's gardens.

Wildlife Watch

Weather Report

Three stages in a Monarch’s life cycle at the Garden of Discovery.
Caterpillar – Chrysalis – Emerging Adult

Jay Lewenstein and Montgomery Middle School take a
Horticultural tour of SeaWorld's gardens.