by Maxim RACHENKO, Cand. Sc. (Biol.), Chief of the Experimental Artificial Climate Station "Phytotron", Tatyana KULAKOVA, employee of the tropical plants greenhouse, Siberian Institute of Plant Physiology and Chemistry, RAS SB (Irkutsk) The Siberian Institute of Plant Physiology and Chemistry, RAS SB (set up in 1961) is one of the leading national research centers specializing in plant physiology, molecular biology, and ecology of plant organisms. It was there that in 1969 the first national phytotron, an artificial climate station designed to study effects produced by environmental factors on plant organisms, was installed. Intended as a tool of common use, the station has significantly expanded experimental capacities of the institute laboratories and turned out to be the main support in implementation of exploratory studies by specialists of different scientific institutions under the Ail-Union Lenin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Irkutsk State University, Institute of Agriculture, scientific center, and scientists from Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Yakutsk, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and Mongolia. FROM THE HISTORY OF WINTER GARDENS Before speaking about the unique complex of stationary chambers in Irkutsk enabling scientists to simulate various climates and develop state-of-the-art technologies in greenhouses, let's turn to the history of indoor and tub plants. Everything began in the Ancient Egypt. On picturesque images, which are 3,000 years old, one can see small trees and bushes in stone vases and boxes. The winter garden of flowers (roses, violets, lilies) and grasses, decorated with statutes and encircled by a colonnade, was an integral element of a rich patrician house. The art of bonsai ("grown in a tray" in Japanese) counts some thousands of years; it originated in China and became a frequent practice in Japan. стр. 99 In the 16th century, bitter-orange greenhouses intended to grow citrus plants became popula ... Читать далее