Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities

[fredg]

This little stinker, Liparis reflexa, is starting its flowering this year. There are two inflorescences so the resulting scent will be delightful as they open their flowers  . I can't help feeling that from a certain angle the plant is trying to tell me something.

[fredg]

I originally posted a photo of some Darlingtonia seedlings growing in live Sphagnum moss non here in early September. This is a shot of the same plants today.



They're definitely holding their own in that red sphagnum.


The Utricularia reniformis leaves will soon disappear as the cold sets in. I'll leave them out in the cold greenhouse again this year. The spring growth does seem to be far better that way.



Finally, this is what happens when you grow on samples of Liverworts. I think they look quite healthy. They're certainly enjoying these overcast days.

[fredg]

An update on the Darlingtonia house.  I'll have to talk quietly to them to see if they'll throw up a few more flowers in the coming Spring.



Dionaea that are in or going into dormancy.



Finally the Droseras regia pots at this time of year ( yes there are plants in them)

[fredg]

[Maggi Young]

Nice one, Fred!   We're with  you on that hope  - but not holding our (fiery) breath.

[fredg]

A few sticky bits Something to look forward to in a few months.

[fredg]

Just to record the mildness of this December here's a small collection of some of the flowers that are out on Boxing Day.



I was tidying up in the Fernery and taking these photos in my indoor clothes Now that's mild

[Chris Johnson]

I was tidying up in the Fernery and taking these photos in my indoor clothes Now that's mild

It's mild here too Fred, but you wouldn't want to be out in your jimjams. 

[fredg]

I don't have jimjams Chris  . The neighbours would think it was rain dance season again

[fredg]

It's the 8th of January and I've only now had to bring the Disa in to spend the cold season under LED growlights in the cellar. The  temperature down there will be around a constant 10C (50F).
There are outside night temperatures just going into the minus (C) forecast for next week but I'll leave any other plants out until the temperatures are forecast much lower than that. I think all the carnivorous and other plants I have can withstand much more of a frost than we're expecting so far. After all most of them withstood the -18C (0F) we had a few years ago. They all survived but some of them were much less happy than others.

[fredg]

This is a little intraspecies cross I made using 'Othello' as the pollen donor with my "Venom" ( pet name). Good to see a decent germination. Now all I need is a 50ft x 30ft greenhouse to grow the seedlings on in.

[Maggi Young]

That's  surely a hatching of little monsters you've got there! 

[fredg]

Cute aren't they 

[Maggi Young]

Yup!    (baby photos are  always cute!)

[fredg]

This Grow Tent has been languishing in its box in the cellar for a few years so I thought I'd chance my arm and ask MrsG if I could use it outside the Darlingtonia house as an overflow for seedlings. Obviously, as is my nature, I have been a very good boy and she granted the necessary immediately. On recovering consciousness I set to work  preparing the tent for use.

Please note the ABSDS ( Anti-Blackbird Sphagnum Defence System) fitted to the fronts.



No surprise in the fact I put 3 trays of Sphagnum and two of Pinguicula in it straight away.