Digression from Cultivation problem thread re lily beetles

[Lesley Cox]

I find that Heliamphora is a perfect natural predator.
If I squeeze the beetles with my tweezers the Heliamphora accept them gratefully

What is Heliamphora please?

[Maggi Young]

I think Fred's gone offline, Lesley... Heliamphora are pitcher plants of the un-lidded marshy type. South Americans, mostly, I think.

[fredg]

Well done Maggi 

Heliamphora are carnivorous pitcher plants from the area of the Tepuis of the Guiana Highlands in Venezuela, Guyana and Brazil, some also occur in the Gran Sabana.

I'll show a shot of a single pitcher. 

[Maggi Young]

Does the top-lip-thingy secrete nectar and the insects go to that then fall in the pitcher ? Is that how it works?  Lovely colours on the pitcher. 

[fredg]

Exactly right Maggi.

The pitcher is filled with rain water, the level of which is controlled by a small drain hole, so the prey drowns.

I find they're not so good at it as Sarracenia, most of which do not hold rain water, most of those things can fill a pitcher with flies in no time.
That's when the plants sing in summer 

[Maggi Young]

Do these have extravagant flowers like the Sarracenias do?

[fredg]

That would depend on your definition of exotic.

[Lesley Cox]

And very handsome it is too. I guess the lily beetle would have to wander by and fall in rather than the pitcher going out to look.

[johnw]

And very handsome it is too. I guess the lily beetle would have to wander by and fall in rather than the pitcher going out to look.

Speaking of pitcher plants, there was an interesting programme last week on the mad Nepenthes lowii on the CBC's Quirks & Quarks.  You can listen again at http://www.cbc.ca/quirks/archives/09-10/qq-2010-02-20.html.  Quite amazing the relationships that can develop.

johnw

[Maggi Young]

Interesting link, John, thanks. The chap being interviewed completed his t PHD at Aberdeen, it seems! Small world, ain't it?
http://www.royalroads.ca/about-rru/the-university/staff-faculty-bios/m/jonathan-moran.htm

[Lesley Cox]

That's a great link John, I can actually make use of it inlike the BBC stuff which is blocked to overseas listeners/viewers.

I like the shrew item. It reminds me, remember Maggi? of the time in the Old Forum when someone posted an item about a sculptor I think, who had made a series of lavatory bowls in the shapes and colours of various flowers such as lilies, arums etc. Very beautiful they were too.

[fredg]

Is this the sculptor?

http://www.clarkmade.com/urinals.html

 

[Maggi Young]

Lesley, a new garden centre has just opened in Anberdeen and the Gents toilets are equipped with these very urinals! It's true! This was the link:
http://www.clarkmade.com/show.html

 
They have an arum and arisaema (causing my chum Anne Chambers to email me in fury that her favourite flower was being so abused!!)and an orchid as well, from the photo that was ifeatured in press coverage. Ian plans to visit soon with his camera.... so the next Bulb Log will likely be posted from his prison cell!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8547336.stm   : story and photo

I think that Dobbies have been using these in all their new stores!

[Tony Willis]

I understand we have them in our new large local garden centre but on my only visit I did not feel the need and so cannot confirm this.

[Lesley Cox]

That's the one Fred. Thanks for the link. Aren't they stunning?

And thanks too to you Maggi. Well done Aberdeen. I never would have thought it of the sober Scots from that grey city. Shame they're all urinals and only for gents threrefore. Most of those would be pretty hard to sit on, especially the daffodil and the pink orchid!

I think I'd be going to have a look anyway Tony. Have to get a man friend to stand on guard outside the door.