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The Conservatory at Ventura Farms is a multi-purpose complex near the private residence of David Murdock. Formally opened on March 2002 with a party for friends and neighbors, it serves as a location for social, charitable, and business gatherings.
The two major structures in the complex are called 'The Conservatory' and 'The Working House' and total nearly an acre under glass.
A 17,000 square foot structure, the Conservatory features a grand ballroom, two orchid display houses, and four separate orchid growing houses. The orchid collection currently numbers about 25,000 individual plants. Throughout the year anywhere from 800 -1200 orchids are in bloom.
The Working House is a modified Dutch design greenhouse (called 'Venlo'- style) totaling 27,000 square feet. Its purposes include producing plants for the extensive gardens on the property, producing fresh vegetables and fruits for the residence, and to grow research and educational plant materials. Many unusual tropical fruits and heirloom vegetables are housed here.
All of the greenhouses have the most modern equipment available. A computerized climate system controls many of the greenhouse functions and conditions, such as ventilation, heat, humidity, and light levels. Shade curtains of various increments open and close automatically. High pressure mist systems deliver fog-like moisture to the growing environments, and all the water comes from a reverse osmosis purification system.
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