Zentrum für Molekularbiologie der Pflanzen (ZMBP)

Greenhouse- and growth chamber rules (valid for all S1-areas)

Staff duties:

  • Prepare soil and pots on request
  • Water and fertilize the plants
  • Pest monitoring and plant safety measures in the greenhouses and the growth chambers with beneficial insects and chemicals
  • Clean trays and covers
  • Provide standard articles like pots, sticks, paper bags… (for a detailed list, contact Martin Boehme)
  • Autoclave and discard S1 soil and remaining waste
  • Provide a general stock of Arabidopsis and N. benthamiana plants
  • Around the clock surveillance of field, greenhouse chambers and WIC-hall
  • Help sowing seeds and piquing plants
  • Help with seed production (repotting, staking and trimming of big plants)
  • Help cutting bags with ripe Arabidopsis seeds
  • Introduce new students to the plant cultivation as part of the ZMBP central facilities


Please note:

  • Everyone who wants to work in the greenhouse needs an introduction through the greenhouse staff.
  • Everyone is responsible for his/her own plants! This means check your plants regularly. Bagging plants, harvesting seeds and disposal of old plants, is part of the owner.
  • Every tray inside the greenhouse chambers needs to be labelled with name and group. Use yellow tags for transgenic lines and white tags for wild type plants.
  • Plant treatments with bacteria, viruses or chemicals have to be marked on the tray, with a water resistant marker.
  • The plant cultivation facility is S1 area. It is mandatory to wear adequate clothes. This includes closed footwear, long trousers and a lab coat. In case of Brassicaceae or other plants with irritating substances, use gloves, a FFP2 mask and safety glasses.
  • Clean the workplace after usage.


Soil types and order information:

  • Arabidopsis-soil: 70 l CL Topf (Patzer Erden, Art.Nr.: 10-00300) + 8 l sand (Flammer Bauunternehmung GmbH & Co. KG, Rheinsand).
    Afterwards the mixture gets sieved (8 x 10 mm).
  • GS90 soil: 70 l CL Topf grob 1+1 (Patzer Erden, Art.Nr.: 10-01000) + 10 l Vermiculite (Isola Vermiculite GmbH, Palabora 1-2 mm).
    Afterwards the mixture gets sieved (8 x 10 mm) and steamed.


An order via email has to contain the amount and size of pots, the soil-type, as well as the information whether you want to have Gnatrol (biological insecticide).
Please order two days beforehand.

In case you have questions, don´t hesitate to contact the gardeners.