Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities

[fredg]

The largest Drosophyllum tub (again)

[johnralphcarpenter]

I do not grow Nepenthes.

Really? Why not?

[fredg]

Really? Why not?

Let me keep it short and hopefully without upsetting too many Nepenthes growers John.

1. Space. Nepenthes are vining plants and to grow a plant to its full potential would require a very large greenhouse. The vast majority of plants in private collections are bonsai and in no stretch of the imagination represent a wild specimen
2. Running costs. These are not temperate plants, in the main they require specialist temperature and humidity controls.
3. As more is learned about the species we find that although plants are capable of being carnivorous they're actually designed (evolved) to compost leaves that they skillfully entice into their pitchers or they attract various species of rat and bat to poop in them. I don't really want to grow a vegetable composting bin or cesspit.
4. MrsG says I don't like them and as the first three letters declare, (Mrs)she could not possibly be wrong.

 

[fredg]

I put the four Drosophyllum in the 10" pots (25cm external - 22cm internal) into an outside grow tent at the start of last weekend and today decided to change the cover as the old one had lost most of the plastic from the top and was merely serving as a net to keep off birds. The Drosophyllum therefore were being rained on which wasn't helping them feeding and putting on a bit more size before the weather gets too cold.
Now wouldn't things be much better if retail outlets kept things the same on their own brands. The new cover was a bit bigger than the old one, by several inches , so I spent a jolly time wiring it up so it fitted a little better. A fold here, a tuck there I was beginning to feel like a plastic surgeon. At least it was bigger and not smaller I suppose. Anyway the new cover is on, the slug electric barriers are activated although I'm not too satisfied with the jumble of wires in the middle of the four pots. I'll have to work out something to make that area clearer. I'll possibly add on extra tabs around the pots and make some shorter connectors.

[fredg]

The Dionaea have come on particularly well since flowering.

[fredg]

I've been particularly impressed this year by B52 for trap size and Fused-tooth for form, although the latter will look a lot better when I remove those D capensis interlopers.

[fredg]

I re-potted the Stenoglottis fimbriata at the beginning of the season and despite MrsG and I both thinking the other was watering it, it has decided to throw up its first inflorescence.

[fredg]

Back to Drassodes lapidosus or Drassodes cupreus, the Stone spider.

I was needing conpost to pot up some Lilium martagon( the rich deep pink/ purpley ones) and as I opened up the bag this little chappie came running out then froze to pose for a photo.

[fredg]

MrsG found a green one this morning, so far no ID on it. I thought Angle Shades moth but id doesn't have the median line.

[fredg]

The Toad Lilies seem to be late this year, however, the ones that are out are much appreciated.

( Cue excuse to post a photo)

[Maggi Young]

And what a photo!  the tricyrtis are such fascinating flowers.  Worth every shot!

[fredg]

I'd soaked some dried mealworms and as I was standing next to my "pet" spider in the top greenhouse (she's used to me being close to her now) I poked her with one. The amazing thing is she took it    and spent the next 16 hours or so having dinner.
Never before have I known a spider take anything but live and kicking prey.

[Maggi Young]

Probably the first time a bloke's offered her dinner......

[fredg]

She's probably had a few blokes for dinner.

[mark smyth]

I've been particularly impressed this year by B52 for trap size and Fused-tooth for form, although the latter will look a lot better when I remove those D capensis interlopers.

My B52 loses traps almost as quick as it makes them. Was I feeding it too often?