Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities

[fredg]

The Dionaea ( Venus'Fly trap) seedlings from the 2014 seed are showing a little variation in colour. It will be interesting to see what matures from those.



It's almost impossible to keep the Drosera (Sundew)from seeding in nearly every small patch of bare peat they can find. At least I can't say I don't expect them to pop up.

I noticed a few holes appearing in some of the tomato leaves. The culprits weren't that difficult to find.
Lacanobia oleracea , Bright-line Brown-eye moth caterpillar



Also known as the Tomato Moth for some reason which escapes me 

Whilst poking about the tomatoes I saw some hairy bits sticking out from under an Arisaema leaf which turned out to be this bold chappie.
Spilosoma luteum, Buff Ermine moth caterpillar.




The Stylidium debile I let languish as an aquatic for many months is looking better and better. Well at least I think it does. I must use this method again only a bit more controlled than just letting it slosh about in a water tray around the bases of pots.

[fredg]

Continuing with the caterpillar theme, MrsG found this one hiding in a Dahlia flower. So far I've not been able to pin an ID on it.

[ranunculus]

So far I've not been able to pin an ID on it.

That would probably hurt the poor little thing, Fred.

[fermi de Sousa]

That would probably hurt the poor little thing, Fred.

Perhaps he could velcro it on instead?
 
cheers
fermi

[fredg]

There's always one  . Here we have two 

[Hoy]

If that creature had eaten my plants I had no doubt pinning it both once and twice

[Chris Johnson]

Continuing with the caterpillar theme, MrsG found this one hiding in a Dahlia flower. So far I've not been able to pin an ID on it.

You give no indication of size, Fred, and I wounder if it's smaller than it looks in the image.

The lack of camouflage markings suggest it's an internal feeder rather than a grazer.

[fredg]

It's a grazer Chris. he was sitting around the 3cm mark.

[fredg]

One of my recent acquisitions was this very unusual Lady Fern type. . The pinnae alternate with being angled up and down on the rachis so giving a cross-cross cruciform appearance. Roll on next spring to get the new, hopefully bigger, more pristine fronds.

Athyrium filix-femina 'Victoriae'



She is of course of Scottish origin being discovered there, 1881 I believe.

A second just to let me practice this new terminology

Athyrium nipponicum 'Pewter Lace'



The deep burgundy of the rachis and the costae are a good contrast to the green-greys of the pinnae.

[fredg]

Having been away all week I noticed quite a few changes when we returned. Quite a lot of the winter green orchids are sticking their heads up.
The Pterostylis have been up for a few weeks now ( some in flower) and now the Himantoglossum are beginning to join them. There are leaf shoots on the Bee orchids, Ophrys apifera and on Orchis anthropophora. Now it's a matter of being extra vigilant for signs aphids as they're so short of food over the cold period they seem to march to the winter greens in vast columns.

[hud357]

[...] There are leaf shoots on the Bee orchids, Ophrys apifera and on Orchis anthropophora. Now it's a matter of being extra vigilant for signs aphids as they're so short of food over the cold period they seem to march to the winter greens in vast columns.

What do you grow apifera in? I've just killed my last survivor but would like to replace it, but not just to see the new one head into that great compost heap in the sky though.

I had much the same problem with Cyps until I (sort of) took advice offered here (SRGC) and rooting around today I find at least 5 new 'noses' on my 2 'nose' Cyp. I grew this in 'cat litter' ... Would this be suitable for apifera?
 

[fredg]

I just have mine in peat/ potting grit. I've never found them in habitat in cat litter, although the cats think the garden is entirely that.

[fredg]

A selection of a few mature Dionaea that self set in the pots and I separated earlier this year. There are named cultivars that look just like them.



This fern is a Morrison's (£2) special. No ID was supplied so I'm plumping for a self ID. If you know differently please shout out.

Rumohra adiantiformis, Florist's Leather Fern?



It seems to be quite enjoying its situation.

[Chris Johnson]

I know little about your carnivorous plant' world, Fred, but enjoy the thread and your excellent photography. Those Dionaea are stunning.

[fredg]

Thank you Chris. I try