{"id":4913,"date":"2014-02-07T18:12:00","date_gmt":"2014-02-07T23:12:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2020-08-13T17:55:17","modified_gmt":"2020-08-13T21:55:17","slug":"planting-po3a-xytop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardern.co.za\/2014\/02\/planting-po3a-xytop\/","title":{"rendered":"Sochi and Plants"},"content":{"rendered":"
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I have little doubt that the opening ceremonies of the Sochi Winter Olympics will dazzle and impress, but outside of the stadium, I wonder how the organizers prioritized construction and showmanship, with less important concerns, such as how the Olympic experience is enhanced with plants, nature and flowers? Let’s check it out.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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As the Winter Olympics open tonight in Sochi, Russia, I can’t help but think about what it must be like to attend both the opening ceremonies and some events – a life long bucket list item of mine, which I am afraid, I will not experience. Still, I will celebrate tonight by watching it on TV, while eating appropriate Russian food ( Beet soup) and of, since I have to, Vodka. So much drama exists around this years; Olympics, that I am certain the flower and gardens in and around the Olympic Park will be the last thing anyone is worrying about, so, I will explore it a little.<\/p>\n
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\nBy now, we’ve all seen the images of tainted water, Chobani, Gay Athletes, unfinished construction projects and heard about potential threats from terrorists, toothpaste and Pussy Riot, but I can’t help myself in searching for some garden\/plant related facts from these Olympics. I had such high hopes for Russia four years ago, when they announced the next event at the Vancouver Games, and I wish the organizers, visitors and the athletes all the best, naturally, hopeing that all goes well.<\/p>\n
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A last minute planting Trees last week near a Sochi highway.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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\nAs for what the official Olympic victory bouquet might be, I tried to find some information or even leaks online on what the official Olympic Victory Bouquet’s might look like, but it seems that the Russian officials are keeping that a secret too. As for the floral bouquets presented to athletes, officials seem to be keeping what these will contain under lock and key ( but I can imagine a hand-tied inspired bouquet with potatoes, beets and pussy willows (get it?).<\/span> \n <\/span> \nM<\/span>y search did lead me to some Russian media sites for the city of Sochi, Sochi magazine, and some Russian sites for the Olympics which provided some entertainment. Here is what I discovered.<\/p>\n
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From the official City of Sochi website ( full of propaganda) this shows a container or ‘Mobile Flowering Tree” being planted in December, in prep for the Winter Olympics. Nice.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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\n According to an \u201cofficial\u201d municipal website for the city of Sochi, the city has been adorned with ‘winter gardens’, planted \nwith primroses, hyacinths violas and cyclamen.\u201d After confirming this hopeful goal with Western media sources, it was sort-of confirmed\u2026. ( below, from today’s post on the Wall Street Journal’s blog<\/a>.<\/div>\n