Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Snow Day!




What a difference one day can make!

The snow is falling, and Interior Foliage is still taking care of business. We just wear more layers.

Snow links:
http://mta.info/ - MTA's Homepage, now carrying alerts for nyc transit, Long Island Railroad, and Metro-North.

http://wcbstv.com/schoolclosings
- School delays and closings.

http://gothamist.com/2010/02/09/bald_eagle.php - Bald eagle sightings at Riverside park!

http://www.bbg.org/ - Brooklyn Botanic Garden

http://www.nybg.org/ - New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)

If you've never been, a snow day is a great reason to visit.

Have fun and stay warm!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Winter Checkup




The last time we were on the green roof was in August, so we felt it was necessary to check up on our rooftop friends.

Before:


Now:

Caveat: I have not recorded the exact locations of both pictures. They simply represent the change that has occurred with most of the succulents. In this case, 80% have multiplied and adapted a brownish red color.

The color represents the plant in a dormant state.

While you're thinking, let's take a look at the cacti.


"It's shrinkage!"
-cactus


How could this happen? When winter arrives, the cold temperature and wind will extract the water from the pores of the cactus. But if the cactus reduces the surface area, it decreases the amount of pores, which increases water retention. Simply put, a shriveled up cactus can survive a New York winter.


Now how is that solar hot water system doing?

Well, at the time of this picture, it was 38 degrees Farenheit.

View from our rooftop.

The abridged explanation of the hot water system. Glycol, a non-toxic solution that heats up from the panel, travels from the roof to the solar storage tank in our basement, which is filled with cold water. The glycol heats up the water through a coil that runs through the tank. The storage tank can store hot water for days, so if there is chain of rainy days, the solar system still works.

And the temperature in the storage as of this post? 140 degrees Farenheit.
"Of course I contribute to society!"
-the renewable energy industry

That's the dispatch from Long Island City. Until next time, enjoy the sun!