Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Blogs and Diaries => Topic started by: fredg on October 11, 2014, 07:26:24 PM

Title: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 11, 2014, 07:26:24 PM
This is the Darlingtonia house I erected earlier this year. The intention was to house all my Darlingtonia californica which it did for a month or two. Now I've overflowed back to my other greenhouses taking up almost as much room as originally. It's a wonderful hobby this plant thingy.  ;D

http://youtu.be/PtTJj93iFvw (http://youtu.be/PtTJj93iFvw)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ranunculus on October 11, 2014, 07:37:01 PM
Superb, Fred … so envious … I have just three small plants in a planter outside.  I really must collect more.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: brianw on October 11, 2014, 07:57:56 PM
I too have found them very prolific under glass, frost free in my case, but have you tried them outside in the UK? How do they do then? I have seen them on the US west coast where they must get frost but not sure how the average UK winter will treat them. I grow them in spagnum moss with or without perlite, depending on my moss stocks.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 11, 2014, 08:09:12 PM
I had them down to -18C (0F) in the winter of 2010-11 Brian. I never heat the greenhouses.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Peter Maguire on October 11, 2014, 10:52:41 PM
Just the odd couple of Darlingtonia then Fred?  ;D

Are the trays of moss on a substrate such as perlite, or is the moss just sitting in rainwater?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 11, 2014, 11:38:15 PM
I flood the trays Peter. Some have perlite mixed in some have just the pure Sphagnum. It's always a question of supply .
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: brianw on October 12, 2014, 09:50:52 PM
Can I ask why you grow them under glass? For me originally it was because I had several other bog plants with them, but they grow so well they had to have their own space. Apart from birds taking the moss for nesting I can't really see a reason to keep them covered now. Not sure it will be any more difficult keeping them wet outside than in. I have only seen them in light woodland conditions in the wild but they grow along streams too I think so likely to be less shaded.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: brianw on October 12, 2014, 10:03:02 PM
Same subject line but different meaning. Does anyone here use a frame withing an existing greenhouse to get a warmer space for tender plants? My problem is where to keep these must have plants that flower for just a week or two a year (if I am lucky) and then stay getting dusty for the rest of the year. A sort of wardian case I am thinking of, but larger. Not just an end of the greenhouse partitioned off which I already do, frost free one end, unheated the other, but maybe 12C or so minimum.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 13, 2014, 04:00:29 PM
Can I ask why you grow them under glass? For me originally it was because I had several other bog plants with them, but they grow so well they had to have their own space. Apart from birds taking the moss for nesting I can't really see a reason to keep them covered now. Not sure it will be any more difficult keeping them wet outside than in. I have only seen them in light woodland conditions in the wild but they grow along streams too I think so likely to be less shaded.

Brian,
They are under glass
1.  To preserve the sphagnum from birds. I've had  an 8" pot of sphagnum stripped totally in 30 minutes, I'd left it out while I attended to something else. The Blackbird that was still in the bottom of the pot looked at me very accusingly as if I'd supplied short measure.
2.  The appearance of the pitchers is far better.
3.  Much easier to look after, the glass also serves as a barrier to all the oddities that fall from nearby trees. It's amazing  the number of maggots and larvae that drop periodically, not to mention the aphids etc.
4.  I don't have to bend down so far - as I get older the bending is the easy bit, getting up again not so easy.
5.  It gives me somewhere to sit in bad weather.




Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: brianw on October 13, 2014, 08:17:47 PM
Brian,
They are under glass
1.  To preserve the sphagnum from birds.
Agreed. maybe I will net them in spring and early summer. Lost most of a large autumn gentian pot a few years back.

3.  Much easier to look after, the glass also serves as a barrier to all the oddities that fall from nearby trees. It's amazing  the number of maggots and larvae that drop periodically, not to mention the aphids etc.
Not that close to trees so less of a problem, but slugs will be I guess.

4.  I don't have to bend down so far - as I get older the bending is the easy bit, getting up again not so easy.
5.  It gives me somewhere to sit in bad weather.
This seems to be for you not the plants ;-) I have a couple of raised (boxes on legs) plunge benches. Maybe they will have a new use in future.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 13, 2014, 10:03:05 PM
Oh I can assure you the plants are much healthier under cover than outside.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on February 28, 2015, 04:12:00 PM
An addition to the house.

I gave into temptation and bought a small 9v water pump and solar panel from Amazon for the extravagant amount of £5.89 ($9.11). I made a holding frame from scrap wood and a couple of metal angle brackets for the panel so it's angled at 45°. This I've clamped to the ridge of the greenhouse. The pump is located in one end of an existing double tray which contained a little peat and some perlite under the live sphagnum so I had to construct a small plastic housing ( the end ? of a quarter tray with small holes drilled in the 3 sides) and placed plastic scourers inside and outside the housing to filter out any particles big enough to block the system. The output is delivered to the other end of the tray via 9mm (internal) tubing.

I was surprised at the efficiency of this little pump. It readily comes to life in direct sunlight, even in February at this Northerly latitude (53.1435° N) and continues to run through light cloud. It will be interesting to see how it performs in the summer months.

Although I do not need to have this fitted for the well being of my Darlingtonia, they do very well without it, it shouldn't do any harm. It also kept me occupied for a while ( much to MrsG's appreciation). I'm already considering another to circulate the water in a double tray containing small pierced trays of seedlings.

http://youtu.be/NJdsiyi20ks (http://youtu.be/NJdsiyi20ks)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on February 28, 2015, 06:21:10 PM
Fred, might the water in the tubing not get overly hot in the summer?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on February 28, 2015, 06:27:32 PM
That would depend what you'd describe as overly hot Maggi. I recorded root temperatures over 38C last May when the water wasn't being pumped. Darlingtonia roots are not as temperature sensitive as some would have us believe.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on February 28, 2015, 07:00:00 PM
They're already hotter than I'd imagined then, Fred. I just thought that the water going through the tubing could heat up to a fair old temp. ....  :-\
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on March 10, 2015, 06:36:29 PM
This is the second version of a solar water pump in a tray for Darlingtonia. The first version which I placed in an existing planted tray doesn't really allow for a large enough flow through. So this time I have cut off the bottoms of some slated trays  (see photo) at 1" and inverted them to give a good flow through and raise the individual trays to a level they will not be completely flooded. I have not provided any pre-filtration this time as there should be no contamination in the water to deal with. The pump sits end on ( the intake to the bottom) and the output is taken through tubing through the inverted tray bottoms to an elbow joint and then up to a T joint and out to the spray bars. This looks far more aesthetically pleasing than the prototype and should keep the flowing water cooler. The water flow results on this one are excellent and I intend to carry on something similar with a fully planted version in the MkIII. The small planted trays used for the video are not the ones that the set-up is intended for. I have a very nice line in a grey version of the slatted trays which will be planted up with live sphagnum.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8751/16589916520_185b73cba9_o.jpg)
A complete tray and a representative example the portion that has been removed from the ones in use. ( So far I have nine of these, if I dispose of them now I know that next week I'll find a use for them)

http://youtu.be/SGFyyxrjpj4 (http://youtu.be/SGFyyxrjpj4)

Is that better Maggi?

Here's a video update on the Darlingtonia House as at 10th March 2015. New growth hasn't started yet but things are looking good for late winter.

http://youtu.be/9JVdjsJc1IQ (http://youtu.be/9JVdjsJc1IQ)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on March 25, 2015, 06:09:52 PM
The Solar Pumps - The Final Chapter.

This is the final version ( for now) I have decided to go with. The three pumps are now all on this MkIII version. All I need to do now is introduce my seedling Darlingtonia to the Sphagnum baskets. I'll be slipping in a few pots of Cephalotus too.

http://youtu.be/LA_shNZ6tE8 (http://youtu.be/LA_shNZ6tE8)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on April 07, 2015, 07:32:18 AM
Not quite final.
Tall trees in neighbours' gardens was cutting out the late direct sun in the west so I have now adapted the holders and swivelled the solar panels directly south.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on April 17, 2015, 06:00:01 PM
Sorry but I like to keep occupied  :P

To parallel my trials of solar powered water pumps I thought I'd see how effective the solar powered air pumps are. So far it's impressive that the pump works albeit at a reduced rate even in heavy cloud so giving a much extended operating time as compared to the water pumps which really need direct sunlight to kick them off.

http://youtu.be/SSb2dXGy3o4 (http://youtu.be/SSb2dXGy3o4)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on April 22, 2015, 05:43:39 PM
The first of my flowers for this year which is along way in front of all the rest. This is the first ever flower from this clone. This youngster was taken from the parent plant last year after I accidentally damaged the parent's new pitchers. The parent has never flowered, this year's bud being well behind this one.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8779/17210284146_9651d15378_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 06, 2015, 12:04:49 PM
I'd given up on seeing this yet again this year. Then came the "WOOT!" moment. ( I think I split my cheeks) ( the upper ones )

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7685/17387811542_3f653f9acc_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on May 06, 2015, 01:18:27 PM
An alien being?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: David Nicholson on May 06, 2015, 01:43:55 PM
An alien being what ???
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on May 06, 2015, 01:45:27 PM
An alien being what ???
.... mysterious   
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: David Nicholson on May 06, 2015, 01:48:45 PM
 ;) ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 06, 2015, 03:40:23 PM
The flower bud of Darlingtonia californica 'Othello', Maggi, which being from the USA is as you say alien. It is anthocyanin free and quite rare in cultivation. This is the first flower bud I've ever seen, I think I've only waited 5 or 6 years to see it on this plant
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on May 06, 2015, 03:56:29 PM
Very striking even at this stage, Fred.  8)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 07, 2015, 11:55:09 AM
Oh did I mention it's possibly the first one to flower in the UK? ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on May 07, 2015, 01:24:23 PM
No! But I can well believe it.  Well done!
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 12, 2015, 03:22:30 PM
These are flowers from my FG1983 clone. The bracts are a much deeper pink than on any of the other clones I've flowered. ( it doesn't fully show on the photo).
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7668/17367821628_21e0e25641_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ranunculus on May 12, 2015, 03:41:49 PM
Stunning, Fred.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 13, 2015, 06:28:11 PM
Thank you Cliff.

A different angle to show the pink bracts on my 1983 clone.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8765/17419300728_7ccaceef82_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 17, 2015, 07:06:41 PM
The trial with the air pumps has been a bit of a let down. The first pump is great and is still pumping away in daylight. Pump #2 lasted a week after installation so I replaced it and pump #3 lasted for about 3 hours. Both of these are en route to Amazon for full refunds. I have decided to go with water pump #4 for Darlingtonia tray #4 and the existing air pump will go into a Utricularia tray.
Considering that I can buy 3 water pumps for the (new increased) price of an air pump it's no contest.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 22, 2015, 07:00:01 PM
My Darlingtonia House in May 2015. At least the top half of it anyway. Flowering on the older colonies hasn't been as good as last year even though I thinned out all three trays. There are new clones flowering though which all helps with the enjoyment.
The three solar water pumps are all still running well and the seedlings appear to be growing very well indeed.

http://youtu.be/qNJY2QyNcmg (http://youtu.be/qNJY2QyNcmg)

Just to show that I don't just grow Darlingtonia, here's a selection from some of my other carnivorous plants.

http://youtu.be/EbIwl4CZqIc (http://youtu.be/EbIwl4CZqIc)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 24, 2015, 03:00:04 PM
The video update of the solar air pump trial.

http://youtu.be/E8eN62EsZvM (http://youtu.be/E8eN62EsZvM)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 14, 2015, 04:56:53 PM
Update
 
Water pump No.4 is now in operation. It has replaced the sole surviving solar air pump in the initial, now abandoned, air pump trial. I found a much cheaper supplier for the T connectors (and the L connectors) but the diameter was slightly larger. I fitted the tubing by heating in boiling water to make a good tight fit. I then discovered that with the larger diameter I could make the spray bars from giant chunky drinking straws (they come in packs of 30). They're very cheap and easier to work with than the tubing so another bonus. I should be able to easily adapt the narrower diameter T connectors to take these when spray bar replacement is needed.
As I had a base already made for a solar panel as supplied with the air pump I adapted the design to fit in the water pump panel. This I feel is superior to the ones already fitted to the other three panels so I'll probably replace all those at some stage.
Tray No.1 was the only one with the pump station in direct sunlight and this did lead to a need to clean out thread algae this week in the gap between the two rearmost inner trays as it was beginning to affect pump efficiency. I made up a plastic cover to restrict sunlight to prevent this in future. A second cover is over pump No.4 as that will develop the same problem if prevention is not applied.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 22, 2015, 05:58:06 PM
The Darlingtonia update for June ( and anyone else who wants to watch it)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu0WGm8mQYM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu0WGm8mQYM)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 22, 2015, 08:23:05 PM
My specialist house on Darlingtonia was turning into a Blog so I may as well go the whole hog.

Drosera regia.

I was asked to supply an update on another forum so here are the plants so far this year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tj_hcYepj8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tj_hcYepj8)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 22, 2015, 08:32:38 PM
Utricularia - Or - What ever happened to the solar air pump.

I finally finished planting up the pond baskets with terrestrial Utricularia that I'll keep in the trays I'll add an airstone each to powered by the air pump.
I have the one pump left out of three I trialled so I'll just split the supply with a T junction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj4hy9yF2Xw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj4hy9yF2Xw)

Dionaea muscipula

A very quick look at some of my Venus' Flytraps. They're all budded up and ready to bloom. Many sources advise to remove the inflorescences as flowering and seeding will kill the plant. I think my response to that is quite evident

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAuTwQSLzl4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAuTwQSLzl4)

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 25, 2015, 04:30:54 PM
The Utricularia reniformis are still throwing up leaves and of course more buds are open on this inflorescence.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/410/18962792049_1a8a16086e_o.jpg)

No air supply to these but the other species in the trays that do have an air supply do show very early signs of enjoying their new conditions.
Such a pity the solar air pumps are so unreliable, get a good one and they're great The sole survivor is now supplying oxygenation to two trays and the supply is so good I'm going for a third when the triple regulator arrives.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: grackle on June 27, 2015, 06:10:12 AM
Hello Fred
Those are wonderful Utricularia blossoms.
I'm wondering about their markings. Do the yellow bands shrink to stripes with fertilization or are they just quite variable?
grack
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 27, 2015, 04:04:36 PM
They're variable grackle.All three flowers so far have different markings. What's annoying me is that I didn't start growing these plants many years earlier. They're a lot hardier than I thought. No heating required over winter here last year, which is the first I didn't protect them by keeping them under lights in the cellar. I took just the one pot out of five down and the leaf growth on the four left in the cold (and I mean cold, vents and louvre open all winter) greenhouse has been the best ever.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: grackle on June 27, 2015, 07:36:54 PM
Ah, OK. Utricularias didn't have a strong need to be much weirder. ;)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 28, 2015, 06:54:41 PM
A little update on the Utricularia trays connected up with an airstone from the solar air pump.

This is Utricularia livida, a small terrestrial Utricularia. On the left is the portion I planted up last week and on the right is  a portion I planted up a couple of months ago from the same pot . The oxygenated water is certainly looking beneficial.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 30, 2015, 04:17:11 PM
The  three airline regulator arrived today. Quite impressive, six days from order to delivery and it came from China.
I fitted it immediately and it's working well so that's another set of Utricularia i need to get into pond baskets.

Temperatures are a little high today . I checked in the Darlingtonia house at 4pm and i had an air temperature of 30.5C and on root temperatures I had a couple of the trays reading 34C (93.2F) which according to the "Old Mystics" should have killed the plants. I have been taken to task for my attitude to the "Old Ones" of the CP world for simply saying they got it very wrong. I'm afraid if plain John Bloggs get's it wrong or Dr John Bloggs or even Professor John Bloggs gets it wrong it's just the same , it's wrong. Besides, he never sent me any plants.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 01, 2015, 10:20:17 PM
This is yet another final version of the solar air pump in use with the Utricularia.

Quote
The final set-up using the solar air pump. Three trays with an airstone in each. The Utricularia are planted in pond baskets of two sizes, 11 x 11 cm and 19 x 19 cm.  Now let's see how they grow.

http://youtu.be/gSjuen_DCk4 (http://youtu.be/gSjuen_DCk4)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 08, 2015, 03:42:38 PM
Please forgive me if I'm a little quiet for a few days. I started up a new Carnivorous Plant ( and other plants) forum and I'll be transferring files.

If you're interested it's here  http://fredg.boards.net/ (http://fredg.boards.net/)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on July 08, 2015, 04:28:56 PM
Okay Fred, at least we'll know you haven't fallen into an enormous pitcher and got stuck.....
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 10, 2015, 08:01:54 PM
Falling into pitchers is just clumsy. The real terrors are the big stickies like Drosera regia, that'll whip an arm off as soon as look at you. ::)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 11, 2015, 02:10:08 PM
Mini clothes pegs
I spotted these in the stationery section of Wilkinsons, they're wooden, 3cm long and 50p for 24

When using those green twisty plant tie thingies on a small cane plant support ( I use wooden BBQ skewers) it's often difficult to hold the green twisty plant tie thingy in place unless there's a well placed leaf axil. With these it's problem solved. Just clamp the peg on where you want it and the green twisty plant tie thingy can't drop past it.
I used the first one this morning. A Darlingtonia pitcher was being a bit unruly in the doorway of the greenhouse, it's now held firmly back and in check. That saves damage or removal. Result!
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 14, 2015, 03:08:36 PM
Some of my Dionaea in flower.

http://youtu.be/zPjgGsRiH9A (http://youtu.be/zPjgGsRiH9A)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 17, 2015, 12:17:32 PM
An update of the Darlingtonia House for July.

I've started removing the worst of the old pitchers and all unwanted seed heads ( I've only retained three). There are three new arrivals so there was a bit of a reshuffle. I've no idea how I came to the conclusion I could house all my Darlingtonia in the one greenhouse. It must have been a senior moment ::)

http://youtu.be/MZP02PYMvwk (http://youtu.be/MZP02PYMvwk)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 18, 2015, 07:49:13 PM
Pleurozia purpurea a carnivorous UK  Liverwort

This subject arose in discussion today with a long time fellow carnivorous plant grower Stephen Morley at his open day. I mentioned my Liverworts and said a carnivorous one would link two of my plant types and there it is.

http://www.bbsfieldguide.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdfs/liverworts/Pleurozia_purpurea.pdf (http://www.bbsfieldguide.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdfs/liverworts/Pleurozia_purpurea.pdf)

Quote
The lower leaf lobes of Pleurozia species are fused, forming a closed water sac covered by a movable lid similar in structure to those of the angiosperm genus Utricularia. These sacs were assumed to play a role in water storage, but a 2005 study on Pleurozia purpurea found that the sacs attract and trap ciliates, much in the same way as Utricularia. Observations of plants in situ also revealed a large number of trapped prey within the sacs, suggesting that the species in this genus obtain some benefit from a carnivorous habit.

is a Wooooooooot! appropriate?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 20, 2015, 11:40:07 AM
This year I left some roots of Stylidium debile as an aquatic in a Dionaea tray. A good crown was formed and it sent up a small inflorescence. I have now taken pity on it and planted it up in a 13 x 19 cm long tom. The bottom half is peat / potting grit, the top half red sphagnum so at present the roots are all in the sphagnum.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/461/19859136491_34505078a4_o.jpg)

The pot is sitting in a flooded deep saucer
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Hoy on July 25, 2015, 05:45:28 PM
. . .

I've started removing the worst of the old pitchers and all unwanted seed heads ( I've only retained three). There are three new arrivals so there was a bit of a reshuffle. I've no idea how I came to the conclusion I could house all my Darlingtonia in the one greenhouse. It must have been a senior moment ::)



You could if your house was big enough ???

It is an impressive collection you have anyway. Do you grow some plants outside?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on July 26, 2015, 04:10:16 PM
I saw this and thought of you, Fred !
Phytotaxa 220 (3): 257–267 (24 July 2015)
Drosera magnifica (Droseraceae): the largest New World sundew, discovered on Facebook
PAULO MINATEL GONELLA, FERNANDO RIVADAVIA & ANDREAS FLEISCHMANN

[attachimg=1]
Drosera magnifica . photo ex Facebook.

"New plant species 'discovered on Facebook'

Experts identified a plant pictured on Facebook as a new species, since named as “drosera magnifica“, or magnificent sundew, according journal research paper "

 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/brazil/11762745/New-plant-species-discovered-on-Facebook.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/brazil/11762745/New-plant-species-discovered-on-Facebook.html)

Good to see that not everything posted to Facebook just disappears into the ether, never to be found again.  :-X
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 26, 2015, 08:31:11 PM
Yes thanks Maggi. one more sticky for the collectors ( eventually).

You could if your house was big enough ???

I'd need a bigger garden too Trond.

. Do you grow some plants outside?

They can be grown outside but I've always found that they look far better when grown under cover.

I have another answer for you too Trond.

Quote
That little Pilularia globulifera started to run amok in the sphagnum suddenly new fronds were appearing 4" (10cm) away from the main body Something unidentified started to crop it too ( possibly slugs) so I removed it to its own half tray of sphagnum ). I replanted the original two quarter trays into sphagnum but they're not racing away like this one. I think the cropping has stopped ( 6 slug pellets), so we'll see what it gets up to next.


Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: brianw on July 26, 2015, 10:50:07 PM
With all the rain over the last 2 days my pots of Darlingtonia and Sarracenia outside are trying to float, and are inevitably top heavy. Having to decant the excess water. Can't complain; all my water butts are full.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 26, 2015, 10:54:24 PM
Send some this way, I have plenty empties
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Hoy on July 27, 2015, 08:48:15 PM
Slugs I know about >:( :(

No lack of water either. Don't need to collect in buckets.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 28, 2015, 06:32:12 PM
Still not getting the rain I need, the main barrel is only at the ¼ mark. I think it's a ploy to try to stop me expanding.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on July 28, 2015, 06:33:44 PM
Still not getting the rain I need, the main barrel is only at the ¼ mark. I think it's a ploy to try to stop me expanding.

 Crikey, if I thought that would work I'd have sealed off the rain butts years ago and still be giving Twiggy a run for her money  :o
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 28, 2015, 08:04:35 PM
Butt then we'd see less of you.  ::)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on July 28, 2015, 08:31:41 PM
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 30, 2015, 12:40:15 PM
Here's a few more Liverworts for the Bryologists. Seeing the plants en masse on a vertical bank is impressive, at least to me it is ( MrsG just rolls her eyes when I enthuse  ::)).

http://youtu.be/OqnUQR-klXU (http://youtu.be/OqnUQR-klXU)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 31, 2015, 03:10:32 PM
I'll try the orchid post here  ;D

On the 29th I also went to another site to look for Fragrant Orchids. I didn't find any but I did find a group of Pyramidal Orchids and here they are.

http://youtu.be/lZ2IZBGAbmc (http://youtu.be/lZ2IZBGAbmc)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 31, 2015, 03:19:48 PM
I went off today (31st July) to see if I could locate any more Fragrant Orchids and finished up making a sex video.

Warning:- This video has raw footage of a sexual nature.

A pair of Emperor Dragonflies doing things that should be kept private but some nutter with a camera just couldn't leave them in peace.

http://youtu.be/tGD14_h7BBw (http://youtu.be/tGD14_h7BBw)

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Tristan_He on July 31, 2015, 09:00:07 PM
Filth. Whatever happened to something wholesome, like the humble bee visiting an Ophrys...? ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on July 31, 2015, 09:20:06 PM
Absolutely shocking - what will people think?  :o

I hate to tell you, Tristan but there's even talk ( but no moving pictures!!) of sexual deception and Ophrys in the latest  IRG - online here: http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2015Jul301438283975IRG-67.pdf (http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2015Jul301438283975IRG-67.pdf)  ::) :-X



Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 03, 2015, 03:33:27 PM
Damsels and Dragons

Damselflies and Dragonflies (Darters) at Pleasley Pit Country Park. There were many more but the big Emperors and Hawkers just wouldn't settle.
It was good to just sit and watch for a while as they gave us an aerial display.

http://youtu.be/OaRs7LxBDPM (http://youtu.be/OaRs7LxBDPM)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 07, 2015, 09:36:45 PM
Today's peramble was to woodland. I didn't expect to find any liverworts as I'd not seen any there all through spring. Growing next to the path in clay was this little fellow.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/407/20371293152_e9002cf875_o.jpg)

Any assistance on ID is most welcome.

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Chris Johnson on August 08, 2015, 08:56:23 AM
Today's peramble was to woodland. I didn't expect to find any liverworts as I'd not seen any there all through spring. Growing next to the path in clay was this little fellow.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/407/20371293152_e9002cf875_o.jpg)

Any assistance on ID is most welcome.

Hi Fred

I wonder if this is a young Marchantia polymorpha not yet showing the typical characteristics of more mature specimens.

Do you know what the black sphere is in the centre of the image? It looks like a fruiting capsule but rather out of context.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 09, 2015, 08:24:43 AM
I'd forgotten to take my magnifier and lenses Chris, I wasn't expecting to see liverworts in that location. I'm afraid I didn't see that black sphere until I downloaded the images.
It looks like I'll have to make a return trip when the plants will have matured and see if I can get an ID then. They have only just appeared under a full canopy and there are a lot of them.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: brianw on August 15, 2015, 01:45:40 PM
Did you see this Fred?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33847252 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33847252)

You might be a local saviour.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 15, 2015, 09:41:33 PM
Yes Brian, the BBC should be ashamed of themselves for such shoddy reporting. The only reason  for
Quote
The head of a botanical garden in Nantes, western France, says the pitcher plant Sarracenia devours Asian hornets - but not European hornets. Nor does it eat bees or wasps.
is that the Asian Hornets have already eaten them all.
My comment on another forum was that the BBC should have used an older reporter, one preferably who has already left nursery school.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 18, 2015, 08:10:10 AM
A fun time, yesterday morning, at Pleasley Pit trying to get a Brown Hawker in frame. She was a big tease hovering close by, even gliding, then doubling back at warp 9.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5831/20656679775_46debebdb0_o.jpg)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5642/20630416736_030d43ccee_o.jpg)

It's late in the season but there were still a few Dragonflies looking in good condition.

A male Common Darter.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/590/20469940339_70e2e89178_o.jpg)

A Ruddy Darter female who was happy to pose.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5750/20468693788_9d8954a792_o.jpg)

Get an eyeful of the twin engines.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5667/20630434866_d468e474de_o.jpg)

A damselfly I've been unable to get a positive ID on. Any ideas?

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/782/20660449135_9fac42bbf0_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maren on August 18, 2015, 11:48:04 AM
Wonderful pictures, Fred, most enjoyable. :)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on August 18, 2015, 01:36:44 PM
One for you , Fred .....

https://vimeo.com/106571242 (https://vimeo.com/106571242)



Link to info:
http://www.callicarpa.org/when-we-arent-looking/ (http://www.callicarpa.org/when-we-arent-looking/)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Peter Maguire on August 18, 2015, 11:31:52 PM
Lovely pictures Fred, I especially like the flight shots which always an interesting challenge.

I think your mystery damselfly has to be a large red damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula. Young specimens (known as 'teneral' forms) start yellow and the red develops with age, and apparently some females never turn red. The yellow (which should be red) stripes on the thorax and the black legs are the diagnostic features.

Having said that, it's very late in the year to be looking freshly emerged (the brown spot on the wing will darken to black after a day or so). I've watched them emerging from a cold pool on Speyside in May.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 19, 2015, 03:48:54 PM
Very interesting Peter, thank you for that. I didn't explain that photo properly, it wasn't taken with the others I was struggling for ID. It will be an immature as you say. Amazing really, a 6 week life span in that form and they start off as an immature.

Thanks Maggi, my Drosera regia are like that, they run at you and try to take an arm off. I'm still undecided as to which is gooier. Drosera regia mucilage or slug goo. Neither washes off readily  :-\
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 20, 2015, 06:00:00 PM
An update on the Pilularia globifera. I repotted the main bought plants into sphagnum and they definitely prefer this medium to the peat I had them in. The "two frond wonder" I removed from the Darlingtonia tray into its own half tray of sphagnum has progressed and raced from on end of the tray to the other. Whatever was cropping it ceased to so it now occupies a larger area than the combined area taken up by the originals. Sometimes one has to wonder how a plant as vigorous as this is in its current conditions becomes red listed.

Here's a photo of about 25% of it

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/573/20088019833_92c5025b93_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 23, 2015, 01:11:38 PM
I'm hoping this drought will end this afternoon although I've been hoping that for the last month. Luckily I had enough rainwater in storage but so far I have 900 litres of empty capacity. I've been religiously performing the nightly rain dance on the roof (naked with inside-out and backwards Y-fronts on head) but it's just not getting the desired results.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on August 23, 2015, 07:15:18 PM
 That's all you know Fred - we've had more rain up here than we know what to do with -  something in your dance has the wrong coordinates.  :P

By  the  way, we've heard about your neighbours  making megabucks selling tickets for the "Show"   :o ::) ;)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 25, 2015, 10:49:13 AM
By  the  way, we've heard about your neighbours  making megabucks selling tickets for the "Show"   :o ::) ;)

Now I had noticed that they were taking a lot more holidays Maggi. I assumed that the strangers that kept appearing were house sitting  ;)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 25, 2015, 11:04:14 AM
I positioned a couple of new barrels next to my Arisaema patch ( 3 large tubs acting as raised beds) which is in a slightly secluded part of the garden. The area beneath the Arisaema is pretty dark during the growing season as it's surrounded by Acers, Bay and a large Azalea so I reasoned ferns were a good option. There are many available at very reasonable prices which is also an encouragement.I had to remove and re-position elsewhere one raised bed so this meant I could expand my fernery a little. I have also used large gravel (10mm and 20mm), pebbles and river stone to try and protect the ferns from cat disturbance ( so far it's effective) and I'm hoping to get mosses and liverworts to colonise.

Here's how it looks at present.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/693/20836829132_22683ae7ed_b.jpg)

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/765/20225408793_acd7bfcc2a_b.jpg)

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/703/20658709660_6b863fbaa1_b.jpg)

MrsG says that best of all, when I'm sitting down there I'm completely secluded and totally out of her sight.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on August 25, 2015, 11:43:31 AM
The ferns are looking very happy and healthy - it's good when a plan succeeds, isn't it?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 06, 2015, 01:30:57 PM
I sowed a few(hundred) seeds of Darlingtonia last year and germination was quite good. I therefore decided to prick out a few and drop them into baskets of live Sphagnum moss just to see if, as many say, the Sphagnum will swamp the seedlings and kill them off.

This is the result of growing in a slower growing finer red sphagnum. The seedlings are keeping their heads up.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5752/20699684722_68b503f776_o.jpg)

Now grown in a more vigorous green Sphagnum.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/629/21195598401_49f0366e8d_o.jpg)

Yes there are healthy seedlings in the green moss.

A couple of the small baskets developed a problem in the green Sphagnum so I removed the Darlingtonia and replanted in peat to prevent possible contamination in the new moss.

Removed
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5654/20543304384_afc70e547e_o.jpg)

Replanted
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/611/21000941599_cd0f1b158f_o.jpg)

So now it's a wait until next year to see how the ones still in the live sphagnum cope.

Here's what the seedlings look like in the original sowing tray, they were sown rather thickly.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5721/20999630410_9350ed46b6_o.jpg)

These will be left to fight it out. The fittest win.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on September 06, 2015, 01:32:49 PM
Crikey! looks like a rare case of 200% germination!!  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 06, 2015, 02:17:35 PM
MrsG found this in her garden rubbish bin. It's Opilio canestrinii, the Red Harvestman. Thirty years ago this chap (yes it's male) would have only been seen in the Appenines (Italy). But like its historical human counterparts the Romans it has taken Europe by storm. Why the sudden expansion of its territory? No-one knows. :-\ It has almost conquered every corner of the British Isles, the rest will soon follow.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/668/20978071648_581fb27b50_o.jpg)

Dates of recording ( Conquest years) Denmark 1987 - Sweden 1990 - Holland 1993 - England 1999. Looking at the distribution map for Nottinghamshire, that one shouldn't have been here  :o
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 07, 2015, 04:45:51 PM
This is off one of the original plants of Pilularia which has recently shown a new lease of life. It was attempting to escape and colonise a Darlingtonia tray.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5712/21000945809_7ff6a3c07b_o.jpg)

it's not really what was expected originally  ;D. A rampant little devil when it's happy :D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 11, 2015, 04:34:48 PM
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.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5830/21282239001_a1f7b315c6_o.jpg)

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

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5821/21087247049_4be005c338_o.jpg)

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

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.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5629/21274169675_4972327bea_o.jpg)


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.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/579/21086664739_1d4a2b51cd_o.jpg)

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 14, 2015, 08:25:14 AM
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.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/770/21394370501_669ae486f9_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ranunculus on September 14, 2015, 08:30:12 AM
So far I've not been able to pin an ID on it.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/770/21394370501_669ae486f9_o.jpg)

That would probably hurt the poor little thing, Fred.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 14, 2015, 09:32:58 AM
That would probably hurt the poor little thing, Fred.
Perhaps he could velcro it on instead? :-\
 ;D
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 14, 2015, 08:32:49 PM
There's always one  ::). Here we have two  ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Hoy on September 14, 2015, 08:33:59 PM
If that creature had eaten my plants I had no doubt pinning it both once and twice ;)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Chris Johnson on September 15, 2015, 07:47:23 AM
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.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 15, 2015, 03:03:28 PM
It's a grazer Chris. he was sitting around the 3cm mark.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 16, 2015, 07:16:09 PM
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'

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5784/21464566875_07640c64dd_o.jpg)

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

A second just to let me practice this new terminology ;D

Athyrium nipponicum 'Pewter Lace'

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/694/21277679479_0f42b0e11f_o.jpg)

The deep burgundy of the rachis and the costae are a good contrast to the green-greys of the pinnae.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 26, 2015, 04:28:20 PM
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.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: hud357 on September 27, 2015, 06:09:12 PM
[...] 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?
 
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 27, 2015, 09:40:52 PM
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.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 27, 2015, 09:46:53 PM
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.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5827/21570285928_f72d743795_o.jpg)

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?

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/763/21746500492_fa7efe9a89_o.jpg)

It seems to be quite enjoying its situation.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Chris Johnson on September 28, 2015, 07:59:09 AM
I know little about your carnivorous plant' world, Fred, but enjoy the thread and your excellent photography. Those Dionaea are stunning.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 28, 2015, 12:58:36 PM
Thank you Chris. I try  ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 28, 2015, 04:49:35 PM
I've been trying to ID a few more in the Fernery, so here they are so far.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/564/21599185939_524212c914_o.jpg)

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/649/21775278932_2906aae1ee_o.jpg)

There's more  ;)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 30, 2015, 08:32:54 AM
The Dionaea are coming to the end of their season. Here's a couple of cultivars to show some of the variation available.

Top:       A young division of Dionaea muscipula 'Pink Venus'
Bottom:  D. muscipula 'Green Sawtooth' with an "empty", the exoskeleton of an eaten fly.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/608/21864108365_57103d5c1c_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 30, 2015, 12:59:35 PM
The stocking of the Fernery (and immediate surrounding area - shhh don't tell MrsG) continues. This is the latest to be planted, I think it's a little cracker.

Arachnoides simplicior 'Variegata', also know a the Japanese Variegated Holly Fern and the East Indian Variegated Shield Fern, I suppose any combination thereof will do too. It seems this one will be happy on the drier side.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/752/21844269981_8357ba089c_o.jpg)

Now to find a Bamboo fern  :P
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 02, 2015, 08:14:49 AM
Continuing the Dionaea cultivar theme, a few more before they go to bed for the winter.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/582/21874023531_bc606c7b78_o.jpg)
Bohemian Garnet
Shark's Teeth

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/605/21243047003_6b22d732fc_o.jpg)
Big Mouth
Sawtooth

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5692/21852567542_55f10d1991_o.jpg)
Fused Tooth 1 and 2
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 02, 2015, 12:46:38 PM
Now It's really getting to the end of the season. Today I removed the wire netting from the top two greenhouse's doors and reinstalled the glass.
The Darlingtonia House will be left for a few weeks and then I just cover the netting with bubble wrap for the cold season. Dismantling the door to reintroduce the polycarbonate is not an option. That's one of those fiddly five minute jobs that can take three days.

I was checking some pots and the Lilium hansonii from seed (2012) are looking good. There's a chance one is of a size to flower next year the others in 2017. They're reputedly very highly scented and one will perfume the garden. I may have overkill with the amount of bulbs I now have   8-).

On Wednesday ( Sept 30th) I finished planting  out all of my 2015 acquired bulbs, it must be a record to be at that stage before September ended, I can't remember finishing so soon before.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 03, 2015, 11:34:00 AM
This cultivar, 'Akai Ryu' has been around for many years.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/762/21720159510_b596a5a2f2_o.jpg)

Incidentallly, on the Big Mouth photo above, the bottom left trap does have legs sticking out.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: brianw on October 03, 2015, 12:34:32 PM
Hi Fred

This is my first year keeping Darlingtonia and Sarracenia flava (Maxima?) outside all the time. The latter had to be tied up to stop it falling about, and then even worse when the rains arrived the trumpets filled up and became more unstable.
Do you know how this much increased "soup" volume effects growth? There are plenty of wasps etc. inside.
Do you artificially add any liquid to the trumpets under cover? Mine got the occasional spray but that was all.

My Sarracenia purpurea (southern form) won a cup/bowl and RHS medal in the local gardening society show for best foliage plant. Over a foot across but just in a 5" pot. No queries on if it was "foliage".
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 03, 2015, 01:10:02 PM
Brian,
No liquid in Sarracenia pitchers should be added except for S. purpurea and some of its very simple hybrids. Even these don't really require it. Mine haven't had water in their pitchers for years and they do just fine.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5773/21332436501_986700ccc6_o.jpg)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5749/21299437646_400e2d4edc_o.jpg)

There should be no queries on pitchers being foliage, that's exactly what they are. ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 03, 2015, 01:16:28 PM
I posted this on August 7th

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/407/20371293152_e9002cf875_o.jpg)

Now it looks like this

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/638/21722946189_f21cc54d1e_o.jpg)

Any help on ID?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Chris Johnson on October 04, 2015, 07:50:25 AM
Hi Fred

Have a look at Riccardia chamedryfolia and Riccardia multifida.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 04, 2015, 08:35:10 AM
Chris, Riccardia chamedryfolia was my immediate 'guess' but when I checked yesterday it was a plant of wet places, even aquatic in some instances so I was stuck with Riccardia  without a species name. Now that you brought that one up first I rechecked and found this http://www.cisfbr.org.uk/Bryo/Cornish_Bryophytes_Riccardia_chamedryfolia.html (http://www.cisfbr.org.uk/Bryo/Cornish_Bryophytes_Riccardia_chamedryfolia.html)
On there it's found in all sorts of situations so I'm happy that it's growing on clay, in woodland, next to a pathway.

Thank you, it's good to have a Bryologist at my finger tips ( plus a keyboard, computer and broadband).  ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 04, 2015, 05:29:23 PM
Well, MrsG let me go out alone to a Plant Fair. Considering the temptation I didn't do so bad, just five new ferns.
The first three I have potted up in square and round long toms to see how things go. The Dryopteris sieboldii was a distinctive three crowns so there's now a couple of square pots of that. The large Bamboo Fern I was hoping to split but on knocking out it's not at that stage yet Two of the fronds were damaged in transit so they've been "assisted" with a couple of wooden BBQ skewers

1 & 2. Dryopteris sieboldii, Japanese Wood Fern

3. Coniogramme japonica flavo-maculata, Bamboo Fern

4. Blechnum spicant, Deer Fern

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5624/21319275094_c4b95a132e_o.jpg)


With these two the scale is just wrong. The Asplenium is far larger than the Polystichum, the latter of which I hope will split when I knock it out tomorrow

Top, Asplenium scolopendrium 'Kayes Lacerated', Crispy Hart's Tongue Fern

Bottom. Polystichum setiferum congestum, Soft Shield fern

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5620/21942000615_2b49b071e8_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Chris Johnson on October 05, 2015, 07:56:01 AM
Thank you, it's good to have a Bryologist at my finger tips ...

Thanks for the promotion to bryologist, Fred, but undeserved.

I did spend a couple of years looking at them seriously, mainly in the winter when there were fewer fungi about. However, I've lapsed as I'm now looking at another branch of fungi. I hope to get back to them in the future.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 05, 2015, 04:08:30 PM
The Polystichum setiferum congestum  certainly did need dividing. I suppose I could have gone further but four pots seemed enough for now.  ;D

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5826/21979047511_0dc459092a_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 08, 2015, 04:47:56 PM
Back in June MrsG and I had a peramble down the River Meden  looking for Liverworts. Amongst others we came across this one below the outlet of a drainage pipe, so it is a very wet habitat.

June 5th ( measurements in mm)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5786/21846881300_37bc23a6bf_o.jpg)

Today it looks a little different.

October 8th

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5705/21848135629_efb4469374_o.jpg)

Mixed in with it is Lunularia cruciata and the one in question looks like a Riccardia but not the Riccardia chamedryfolia I found beside the woodland path.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 12, 2015, 11:48:14 AM
 I was checking liverworts this morning and noticed this trio happily growing together. Conocephalum salebrosum, Lunularia cruciata and Riccardia chamedryfolia. I'm calling it the Portland Mix

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5806/21920230168_b105f1b9d0_o.jpg)

They're in the Portland Park video but it's not that obvious that there are the three together
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 14, 2015, 04:38:09 PM
A natural Fernery encountered on today's peramble along the River Meden. A good display of native Asplenium.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/564/22166645815_bfe6b95dfc_o.jpg)

More to come  ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 14, 2015, 04:46:32 PM
Some of the Liverworts encountered during today's peramble in Pleasley Vale and along the River Meden.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5790/22176892391_ab66cfe509_o.jpg)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5626/21978547460_f9eaa1b445_o.jpg)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5716/22166634845_4fd72fe2a9_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 16, 2015, 01:20:31 PM
A few more additions to the fernery. Some Dryopteris that were begging me to buy them.

1. Dryopteris affinis cristata 'The King'

2. Dryopteris affinis 'Crispa'

3. Dryopteris erythrosora

4. Dryopteris erythrosora, new frond

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/720/21596697433_c70410b37b_o.jpg)

It's unfair when they have a very low price on them, what chance do I have to resist?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 17, 2015, 09:58:30 AM
I found a few of my old (forgotten) photos on a CD. These must be 10 years old but they still get the plants excited

1. Calliphora vomitoria

2. Lucilia sericata / Phaenicia sericata

3. Sarcophaga sp

4. Eupeodes luniger

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/583/22038152968_7d466be8ed_o.jpg)

Lucilia sericata  / Phaenicia sericata

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5638/22213102642_2aa346218c_o.jpg)

The images cleaned up quite nicely I thought.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 17, 2015, 12:59:52 PM
On my fairly frequent perambles if I come across a new area of Bryophytes I take a small sample ( around 2cm x 2 cm) for identification. It saves lying on the ground with a x10 or X20 loupe or constantly bending down. ( The bending down is easy it's the getting up again.) I do keep some of these small samples if I've been unable to identify the plants and add them all to a tray with the location. It's amazing how some plants adapt very quickly.
This is representative one such tray, it's from this week.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5805/22254557181_f51f9d7a53_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: David Nicholson on October 17, 2015, 07:35:22 PM
I found a few of my old (forgotten) photos on a CD. These must be 10 years old but they still get the plants excited

1. Calliphora vomitoria


Pleasant name really? ::)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 18, 2015, 07:22:24 PM
I thought it was rather apt David
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 18, 2015, 07:27:58 PM
This handsome it was enjoying a nibble at a sultana so I gave it a corner of bread (wholemeal of course). I think the bread was preferred  :D

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5820/22277010125_d3a8682d90_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on October 18, 2015, 07:35:00 PM
Crikey Fred, you'll be making that slug  bread and butter pudding next.  :o Taking him to the cinema tomorrow?  ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 18, 2015, 08:15:00 PM
They prefer their bread without trinmings Maggi. Oh yes, it's an it not a him or a her.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on October 19, 2015, 11:10:24 AM
Mmm, perhaps it's not me or you, rather it is us.......    ::)  Complicated lives these things lead eh? It certainly makes 'em hungry  :(
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 01, 2015, 11:58:36 AM
A new growth spotted on my return from the far north in the Fernery. A fungus seems to have made itself at home in the old Eucalyptus trunk I use to support the bird feeders on one outside edge of the Fernery. It looks quite good through the bottom of the Azalea.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5654/22681326551_32104f1f3a_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Chris Johnson on November 01, 2015, 03:58:42 PM
Hi Fred

It's a Mycena but with over 100 species in the UK, I doubt we will get any further without microscopy.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 01, 2015, 04:10:47 PM
I have a very good microscope Chris but it's lacking the knowledgeable person ( fungi) on the viewing end. ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Chris Johnson on November 01, 2015, 06:15:57 PM
I have a very good microscope Chris but it's lacking the knowledgeable person ( fungi) on the viewing end. ;D

Ah well, it's an attractive sight.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 02, 2015, 12:22:15 PM
I prepared a couple of these photos for a reply to a topic on another forum. They really demonstrate just how easily Sphagnum moss is grown.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/629/21195598401_49f0366e8d_o.jpg)

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/667/22645671726_a42c49aff1_o.jpg)

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/677/22483741660_4e54cf600f_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 03, 2015, 08:10:58 AM
I have had the top Tricyrtis for many years and it just seemed to survive insignificantly in the border. However, in the last two or three years it has really come on, spreading further along the garden, growing taller and more floriferous. I've no idea why it suddenly decided it was happy in its situation but that's plants for you. I found the bottom plant at a very reasonable price in a local nursery so we'll see if that flourishes as well. The top flowers have been in bloom for over a month but this new one ( bottom) has only opened its buds over the last week whilst we were up north.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/606/22049008143_772f603787_o.jpg)

The late colour is always welcome.

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 04, 2015, 12:15:26 PM
Much was happening during my week in Scotland.

I reported that I'd completed planting up all my spring bulbs on September 30th. On two of those tubs I found these little chappies and their friends on my return on October 31st.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/607/22789163971_07bd2aa083_o.jpg)

There are well over 50 of them and considering they must be less than a month old they already have open gemmae pots. With the rain we're having they must be throwing out gemmae by the dozen. It'll be interesting to see just how quickly they spread.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on November 04, 2015, 12:27:18 PM
Faster than the speed of light, I shouldn't wonder!!
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: David Nicholson on November 04, 2015, 04:04:02 PM
Isn't gemmae, gemmae, gemmae an Abba song ??? :P ;)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ranunculus on November 04, 2015, 04:09:43 PM
Isn't gemmae, gemmae, gemmae an Abba song ??? :P ;)

I thought it referred to your legs, Mr. N?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: David Nicholson on November 04, 2015, 04:53:12 PM
Are you accusing my legs of vegetative reproduction or what?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on November 04, 2015, 05:00:14 PM
I'm thinking Cliff means gammy gammy gammy, David  ::)

(Sorry Fred -we children are out playing again )
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 04, 2015, 07:35:49 PM
Play as much as you like, just don't tread on the plants  ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on November 04, 2015, 07:41:29 PM
Play as much as you like, just don't tread on the plants  ;D

We promise to be  careful - don't we Boys?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: David Nicholson on November 04, 2015, 10:03:02 PM
Yes Mum :o
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 05, 2015, 05:08:23 PM
I was walking into Wilkinson's today and this plant just sort of fell off the shelf into my basket. Considering it was in a 6" (15cm) pot and cost £5 I took this as a sign and left it in. There is a spot for it in the centre of the Fernery so it'll be planted out when it dries up a bit out there.

Polystichum polyblepharum, Japanese Tassel Fern

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/714/22383935728_d39f491b86_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on November 05, 2015, 05:27:20 PM
Fine healthy plant - Fred - it would have been rude not to give it a new home.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 06, 2015, 09:25:20 PM
I've planted out what I can for the moment and top dressed where necessary with pebbles ( cat deterrent) and this is how it looks now.

Top:- The Fernery, original area
2nd:- The extension to the path (Phase 2)
3rd:- The extension to the left   (Phase 3)
4th:- Somehow they spread over the path (Phase 4). The 'fern' bottom right in this isn't a fern   8)  it's a Corydalis.

The various 'wigwam skeletons' are anti cat scratching devices. Coupled with the pebbles they have been successful so far in preventing the digging of latrines.  ::)

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/593/22814658222_ab7ee9fb48_o.jpg)

All four areas contain spring bulbs ( or did). It's just a matter of seeing what comes up.

Included, amongst others, are Aconites, Snowdrops, Bluebells, Snowflakes ( spring and summer) Trillium and Dog's-Tooth Violets ( Dens-canis and revolutum)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 10, 2015, 05:10:17 PM
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.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/655/22735115930_5fe51d9c4e_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 16, 2015, 07:10:23 PM
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.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/718/23064193905_2518de755e_o.jpg)

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.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5822/23038153606_bf69295376_o.jpg)

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.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5778/22645804648_6bb9f54bc0_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on December 03, 2015, 05:31:15 PM
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.

https://youtu.be/vvTTY7tSxZo (http://youtu.be/vvTTY7tSxZo)

Dionaea that are in or going into dormancy.

https://youtu.be/qBj_wEHmwJY (http://youtu.be/qBj_wEHmwJY)

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

https://youtu.be/yAIgxw1AEd0 (http://youtu.be/yAIgxw1AEd0)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on December 21, 2015, 08:14:05 AM
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/773/23839434756_52b2617f64_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on December 21, 2015, 11:43:09 AM
Nice one, Fred!   We're with  you on that hope  - but not holding our (fiery) breath. ::)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on December 23, 2015, 10:25:31 PM
A few sticky bits Something to look forward to in a few months.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5701/23874151425_efa0e73b97_o.jpg)

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/606/23578418830_4450b031d3_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on December 26, 2015, 01:18:13 PM
Just to record the mildness of this December here's a small collection of some of the flowers that are out on Boxing Day.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5716/23874129432_41e1c0c7c1_o.jpg)

I was tidying up in the Fernery and taking these photos in my indoor clothes Now that's mild
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Chris Johnson on December 26, 2015, 03:32:21 PM
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.  ::)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on December 26, 2015, 08:55:18 PM
I don't have jimjams Chris  :P. The neighbours would think it was rain dance season again
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on January 08, 2016, 07:32:40 PM
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.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on January 16, 2016, 05:05:27 PM
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.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1581/24044846699_dd623577be_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on January 16, 2016, 05:46:40 PM
That's  surely a hatching of little monsters you've got there!  :o
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on January 17, 2016, 07:25:46 PM
Cute aren't they  ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on January 17, 2016, 08:10:25 PM
Yup!    (baby photos are  always cute!)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on February 29, 2016, 03:54:40 PM
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.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1521/25374325165_70e1f91cc9_o.jpg)

No surprise in the fact I put 3 trays of Sphagnum and two of Pinguicula in it straight away.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on April 10, 2016, 12:48:14 PM
I have two trays of this Riccardia species made up from field samples collected at different times 250 miles apart. Both trays are showing the same growth and from the appearance I am identifying them as sporophytes. I have been unable to find any photographs, neither online nor in my reference books, of the sexual parts of Riccardia species so if you can shine a different light on the subject please do.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1720/26252026092_5ab9c47a07_o.jpg)

Please excuse the quality of the images. They are taken with my sub £100 "field" bridge camera.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Chris Johnson on April 11, 2016, 09:47:08 AM
Hi Fred

Spent longer than planned researching this this morning. Not something I have seen but they bear some resemblance to sporophyte shoot-calyptrae (some calyptrae can be quite hairy). Are they growing from the thallus and can you say what length they are?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on April 11, 2016, 03:49:27 PM
They're between 10mm and 45mm Chris. I can also confirm that they originate from the oldest parts of the plants. There's a new one with a black head appeared today and several of the longest ones must have done their duty and are now limp.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 22, 2016, 08:29:22 PM
Oh dear! I've been quiet for a while  ;D

Have a little Orchidfest to make up for it.

https://youtu.be/RPV07MONDrg (http://youtu.be/RPV07MONDrg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on June 22, 2016, 08:47:42 PM
Fab, Fred!  8)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 24, 2016, 09:14:24 PM
I had a couple of dead insects so why waste them? Drosera regia seemed to appreciate the meal.

Please click on to get the full view  ;D

(https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7442/27775833202_a13f9552ec_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on June 24, 2016, 09:50:56 PM
I can't enlarge those pix, Fred, must be the way you've loaded them ??
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 24, 2016, 09:58:37 PM
It's imposing the smaller size Maggi. It clicks to full size for me

Full sized images can be seen here  http://fredg.boards.net/thread/11/drosera-regia?page=2&scrollTo=916 (http://fredg.boards.net/thread/11/drosera-regia?page=2&scrollTo=916)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 25, 2016, 11:33:03 AM
The Disa atricapilla appears to like the treatment I gave it last year, so more of the same would be appropriate. Now I suppose I have to try and remember what it was I did.  :P

(https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7288/27281446143_56c2e132ed_o.jpg)

Full sized image here - http://fredg.boards.net/thread/10/disa-atricapilla?page=1&scrollTo=921 (http://fredg.boards.net/thread/10/disa-atricapilla?page=1&scrollTo=921)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ranunculus on June 25, 2016, 11:46:42 AM
Beautiful, Fred.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 25, 2016, 12:09:32 PM
Thank you Cliff, I hope you like the orchids too  ;D

The Utricularia reniformis have sent up two inflorescences this year which are both now at the three open flower stage.

Please excuse the background as I don't really want to move them as the traps are hanging out the bottoms of the pots.

(https://c6.staticflickr.com/8/7522/27876444005_e117b5b320_o.jpg)

Full images here - http://fredg.boards.net/thread/13/utricularia-reniformis?page=2&scrollTo=913 (http://fredg.boards.net/thread/13/utricularia-reniformis?page=2&scrollTo=913)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 30, 2016, 08:26:48 PM
A different day a different site.

Enjoy

http://youtu.be/_YplX-AhsnU (http://youtu.be/_YplX-AhsnU)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 12, 2016, 09:30:02 PM
Orchid video No.3 for 2016.

It's a little longer than the first two as it's difficult to stop taking photos when there's so much good subject around.

I hope you enjoy.

http://youtu.be/AhgBRaCepCs (http://youtu.be/AhgBRaCepCs)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 14, 2016, 07:02:45 PM
Another day, another site. This is a SSSI near Mansfield. The Orchids on site include DactylorhizaNeottia ovata - Twayblade and Gymnadenia conopsea - the Fragrant Orchid

http://youtu.be/eJ7km2c2pho (http://youtu.be/eJ7km2c2pho)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on July 15, 2016, 04:08:29 PM
Thought this might be of interest here : Robbie Blackhall-Miles writes about a new book : http://www.blackhalls.co.uk/carnivorous-plants-by-nigel-hewitt-cooper/  (http://www.blackhalls.co.uk/carnivorous-plants-by-nigel-hewitt-cooper/)

[attachimg=1] (http://www.blackhalls.co.uk/carnivorous-plants-by-nigel-hewitt-cooper/)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 21, 2016, 07:40:19 PM
First a little image of my Twayblades. They're not so large this year but looking well.

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8702/27840249403_49aaede994_o.jpg)

I've had a renewel of interest in some of the rosetted Drosera. Most of mine were killed off in the 2010 -11 winter and I didn't replace them. I was sent a few this year and then I acquired a few more  ;D.

Drosera slackii

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8837/28370663201_1d3023026d_o.jpg)

(https://c6.staticflickr.com/8/7457/26718893493_7909097bf4_o.jpg)

Drosera x hybrida

(https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8040/28427843005_7c79f9d7b5_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 21, 2016, 07:44:25 PM
Drosera hamiltonii I've not grown this Australian sundew before.

(https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8717/28167062980_c9f8598e17_o.jpg)


Drosera filiformis ssp filiformis - Location Blackwater NC

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7550/28205199296_c521f9fbb0_o.jpg)


Drosera filiformis ssp filiformis, a darker pink flowered clone.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7730/28349220881_55416ff0aa_o.jpg)







Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 21, 2016, 07:47:56 PM
A little D. spatulata type thingy that's been roaming about the collection for years. The flower is all of 8mm.

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8819/27813208443_81d2974f01_o.jpg)

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on July 21, 2016, 08:00:35 PM
Super Drosera pix, Fred.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 27, 2016, 04:51:00 PM
Taken this morning at Ogston Reservoir, Derbyshire, A Little Egret on the hunt and the demise of a Dragonfly it found.
This looks to be a good location for waterfowl. There's a Heronry with about 20 nests, Cormorants by the bucket load and a little more than a gaggle of geese. Plus many others to numerous to mention.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpzAtbgs1FY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpzAtbgs1FY)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 07, 2016, 12:14:05 PM
MrsG and I took a little stroll this morning to see what was happening with the local Odonata.

We were a few weeks later than last year and it seemed to show in the numbers that were on show.

Common Darters - Sympetrum striolatum were around doing 'what comes naturally' and sunning.

(https://c6.staticflickr.com/8/7555/28727214541_3df3d8cf85_o.jpg)

We also spent some time trying to get a photo of a Brown Hawker - Aeshna grandis in flight. Not the easiest of tasks and one I find impossible to do without laughing as the shutter fires as I know the Hawker isn't where it's supposed to be.
I eventually came up with this one, not exactly in focus but it looks like it's spotted the Red Baron at 2 o'clock low. I like it

(https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8688/28699062482_226ff918f2_o.jpg)


Finally a Bumble on Dipsacus. Why? Well, it was there and I was there and it seemed good enough for me  ;D

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8808/28804285595_44e31c0805_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 15, 2016, 07:26:38 PM
Drosera scorpioides is my one and only pygmy Drosera these days. I've kept many of the others in the past, stopped growing them, restarted, stopped again so I decided this time just to grow my favourite.

Here's a few leaves.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8874/28972754496_79a2b0864f_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ian mcdonald on August 15, 2016, 08:56:11 PM
Good pictures Fred. The one of the egret seems to have failed though, unless it,s my machine?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 15, 2016, 09:59:38 PM
It's not you Ian. It looks like the forum doesn't accept the embedding anymore. I checked and my videos are all blanked. There's still a link showing though and that takes you to youtube.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on August 16, 2016, 11:48:59 AM
Very odd, all were showing here last night when Ian  made his comment. Usually the embedding of Youtube videos  works without showing a link if only http:// and not https:// is used.

 Hmm, trying again I have managed to re-embed the Egret video by opening the Youtube link to check that then re-posting the link in the  post without the https:// part....... seems to work here ......and all Fred's other videos are also showing and playing direct from the forum from my machine.   :)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ian mcdonald on August 16, 2016, 12:29:41 PM
It,s working now.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 16, 2016, 12:33:43 PM
Not for me, they've gone back to blank
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on August 16, 2016, 12:46:05 PM
I think it must be an individual problem rather than a Forum issue, though, Fred.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 16, 2016, 03:22:55 PM
I'm not sure what you mean Maggi. I just checked four other fora and the same hyperlinks are fine there.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on August 16, 2016, 03:29:42 PM
Nothing changed  by forum here and all showing here, so perhaps something just happening to some people some of the time?
 Checked back to other videos from you too Fred, all working fine here.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 16, 2016, 05:44:48 PM
* accepts Maggi is right as the safest course  :P
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on August 16, 2016, 07:14:29 PM
Not sure what else I can do to convince you, Fred?  ???   
I believe that some  browsers do not accept embedded videos -  Ian's  tablet only shows a link in Safari - but it is  not a question of the forum not accepting the links. The Forum is "full  " of  embedded video links - all working.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 19, 2016, 08:39:42 AM
I was minding my own business and this spider took a runner at me.I stepped aside and it followed. She's a young Nuctenea umbratica - Walnut orb web spider or Evening spider. They hide during the day and come back out onto the webs in the evening. We must have dislodged her from her hiding place when we were scraping the paint on the railings.
The bottom photo she found a little crevice to go into stealth mode.

(https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8764/29010079826_2dc2b70a26_o.jpg)

There was another Drosophyllum seed germinated so off I went for a fibre pot and the medium. The medium was already in a bucket so I gave it a quick mix and filled the pot. Over to the Drosophyllum seed pot and transferred the germinated seed. All nice and easy until this leg appears out of the medium, then a second followed (quite a bit behind) by an ovoid body. I just watched as the Harvestman extricated himself then took him over to the wall. This lucky one is in the top two photos.

The bottom two are of one ( A much smaller one) that was resting near the top of the wall and as I had my camera on, why not

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8214/28965513376_22502e28d7_o.jpg)

This little cutie has taken up residence between a pair of Darlingtonia flower stems. She's feeding well  ;D

(https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8023/28380906783_789cd85aa0_o.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8750/28837318801_da96d6b4d9_o.jpg)

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ian mcdonald on August 20, 2016, 11:33:23 AM
Hello Fred, the bottom one looks like a garden spider, Araneus diadematus.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: mark smyth on August 23, 2016, 07:20:54 PM
I've always liked carnivorous plants and enjoyed visiting a friend who has a large collection. He gave me some this year to make room for new plants in his collection. Now I'm buying Drosera and Sarracenia

I want to replant all Drosera in to the same size put but I cant find any plain peat in garden centres or DIY stores. Is the contents of grow bags or seed compost any use?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 23, 2016, 08:31:52 PM
Certainly not Mark, the plants require that the peat is fertiliser free. The best peat we get here is Irish, Shamrock Irish Moss Peat if you cam get it but there are several other brands that are suitable.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 23, 2016, 08:39:05 PM
Hello Fred, the bottom one looks like a garden spider, Araneus diadematus.

She certainly is that Ian, she has a sister with a web very close over the Darlingtonia and another in the top greenhouse.
There's a large web in the middle greenhouse but I've not managed to get a decent view of the occupant as of yet.
In the meantime here's the cute one again and her sister in the top greenhouse.

(https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8269/29082902621_237c2c2f11_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: mark smyth on August 23, 2016, 09:21:29 PM
Certainly not Mark, the plants require that the peat is fertiliser free. The best peat we get here is Irish, Shamrock Irish Moss Peat if you cam get it but there are several other brands that are suitable.

I'll keep trying
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 24, 2016, 05:00:08 PM
Not a great deal happening plant wise at present so I'm using the Arachnid population as subjects.

The resident of the top greenhouse this morning.

(https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8365/28583026893_0c89ba4a1d_o.jpg)

Incidentally that is still my sub £100 field camera.

These images should show as 8" wide. They expand to that for me when I click on them. If they don't for you they're available on my site (see signature)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 26, 2016, 05:30:55 PM
At this time of year it's amazing the amount of insects that are attracted to the sugars in Sultanas. MrsG puts some out for the Blackbirds and we're getting quite a few extra visitors.
The wasps are separating chunks off and carrying them away.

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 26, 2016, 09:20:49 PM
A follow-up

Phaenicia sericata
on Sultana

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8151/29171516041_4f968b8685_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: mark smyth on August 26, 2016, 10:26:22 PM
At this time of year it's amazing the amount of insects that are attracted to the sugars in Sultanas.

Your photos are so small!

I have a rotten banana beside by Drosera to lure in fruit flies but none have been stupid enough to get caught
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 27, 2016, 08:21:35 AM
Those photos on the sultanas are 6" wide Mark. They open up to that when I click on them.( Windows 10 - Chrome) If you don't get that, see the full size on my forum (see signature)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 27, 2016, 03:29:17 PM
This one will be big enough. :P

Dinner date - A pair of Calliphora vomitoria enjoying a meal together

(https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8340/29157131162_a1cf36a1b6_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: brianw on August 27, 2016, 08:20:58 PM
Those photos on the sultanas are 6" wide Mark. They open up to that when I click on them.( Windows 10 - Chrome) If you don't get that, see the full size on my forum (see signature)
All the last 2 pages, excepting the Egret, are wysiwyg Fred. No option to enlarge by clicking. Win 7.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 28, 2016, 07:22:17 PM
Sorry about that Brian. This is the only forum that shrinks my photos. The strings I put together to reduce the number on Flickr. those should show at 6 - 8" width.

I modified the Sultana string of six so at least you get something bigger when clicking. Still not full size on them all though.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on August 28, 2016, 07:41:52 PM
Lovely to see the photos enlarging now, Fred, thanks!
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 29, 2016, 12:32:17 PM
It's a bit of extra messing around at this end Maggi but you're worth it.

Now, hands up anyone who feels sorry for the Lily Beetle.

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8658/29233088131_3e31a915c9_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 29, 2016, 12:50:50 PM
As with my H. minor this Heliamphora heterodoxa x minor was also badly neglected so I gave it the same treatment and repotted into a Super Long Tom (10 x 10 x 17) and it's looking a lot happier. The plant comes in handy when the Garden Chafers - Phyllopertha horticola infest the roses and many other plants in spring. The Dionaea get their share but they just don't have enough traps that early in the year.

Here's the plant on Aug 1st

(https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8833/28622327261_525548d065_o.jpg)

Now today, there's a couple of new pitchers on their way up. It's looking like the extra depth negates the standing in a water tray.
Cracked it  ;D

(https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8148/29233090111_226bfb345b_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 29, 2016, 05:51:51 PM
Cutie gets a Bluebottle

A topside view of one of the two in the Darlingtonia house, complete with her prey ( Bluebottle - Calliphora vomitoria )
She's a much lighter colour than the one above from the top greenhouse and to get the photo I had to shoot through the polycarbonate so the crispness is just a tad off.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7730/28694965784_7c7b220232_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 30, 2016, 05:47:27 PM
Did I ever mention that I like my garden spiders?  ;D

This is the No.2 in the top greenhouse ( there is a No.3). She's well back behind the large case so I have to use quite a lot of zoom.

Colouring is much like No.1 (with the lily beetle) but of course the pattern is individual

(https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8202/28720209943_39029b351f_o.jpg)


Just after taking the above I spotted this little lady in the plants out on the patio. I do mean small, compared to the ones in the greenhouses she's tiny.
She was blowing back and forward and MrsG had to hold the green thingy behind her so I could get any semblance of focus.

Her legs and head are a red-blonde which the green background somewhat neutralises. One I'll keep an eye on though.

(https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8485/29262483111_ddb3db8498_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 30, 2016, 06:59:06 PM
Breaking news!

Male Araneus survives mating!

This is Top Greenhouse No3 being visited by a male. Now I've never seen a male Araneus before, never mind watch him in action- and - he gets away with it  ;D

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 30, 2016, 08:50:33 PM
Broken News

Well he tried his luck again and looked to be successful with the mating . The only problem was that she ate him this time.

R.I.P.



Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 02, 2016, 05:27:31 PM
This is a 12" (30cm) tub I'm using for 3 Drosophyllum. The copper tape I already had and I put it on really to use it up. The intention was to fit up a length of an Electric Slug Fence around the tub. However, I thought if I already had a potential circuit around the tub why didn't I just wire the copper tape up. Here it is, it's a 9v battery connected to the top two copper tape rings. The slug or snail travelling from one to the other will make the circuit and Fzzzzz, a little discomfort to make it turn back.
For a connection I simply stuck on a couple of copper tape tabs and fed the wires through and twisted them on. ( I had some ready made wired croccodile clips but for some reason I couldn't get a current through them).

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8230/28785363563_428e171e16_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: mark smyth on September 03, 2016, 11:25:37 AM
real or fake insects under the lid of my Nepenthes?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: mark smyth on September 03, 2016, 11:38:04 AM
Aphids which are now gone
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 03, 2016, 12:00:24 PM
 ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 05, 2016, 04:44:49 PM
Dinner time for some of the Araneus.

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Michael J Campbell on September 05, 2016, 04:47:07 PM
A packed lunch.  :)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 06, 2016, 11:21:55 AM
A packed lunch.  :)

And a bottle (Blue)

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 07, 2016, 05:51:54 PM
It's definitely spider season.

1. A female Araneus that is now keeping me company in the Fernery. She has a definite pinkish tinge to her.
2. A tiny Araneus fenale with a tan colouring.
3. A male Araneus in waiting until his turn on the menu.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 07, 2016, 05:53:52 PM
This lady ran out of a compost bag when I moved it this morning. She wouldn't sit still on the floor to have her photo taken so I picked her up and put her on the wall.
She's a Laced Web Spider and either a Amaurobius fenestralis or a Amaurobius similis.
A couple if sites label her as a False Widow Spider but I don't agree with that.

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 09, 2016, 04:04:05 PM
A change from spiders.

Palomena prasina - The Green Shieldbug, this is a 4th instar nymph.


Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 11, 2016, 01:44:10 PM
I de3cided this year to once again grow some Drosophyllum lusitanicum. When I gre them previously , some 30 years ago, it was as an annual and in smaller pots of around 5". This time I'm going to try to get them to a more natural shrub size in larger pots.
So far I have a 12" and two 10" pots planted up with three plants in each. Hopefully they'll not be too overcrowded andn be happy together.
All pots have electric slug/snail barriers (electrified adhesive copper tape) with the two 10" pots sharing the circuit.

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: mark smyth on September 11, 2016, 03:53:12 PM
looking good
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: mark smyth on September 11, 2016, 03:56:50 PM
Today I cut off the flowers from all of my Drosera because I want to keep the pots pure. Using tweezers I picked out the tiny stems but accidentally pulled off a rosette of Drosera pulchellus x erichonae. What do I do with it?

Drosera pulchellus x erichonae
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 11, 2016, 05:32:32 PM
That's a tempting question Mark  :P. Personally I'd just throw it, you should have plenty gemmae soon on those pygmies.

Edit: Are the hybrid flowers even fertile?

The name on that one I believe is Drosera ericksoniana x pulchella
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 12, 2016, 12:24:55 PM
Another 4th instar nymph of the Green Shieldbug. This time the host plant is a Daphnea that's been well frequented by leaf-cutter bees.

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 12, 2016, 12:32:15 PM
The Heliamphora heterodoxa x minor is progressing really well. I wish I'd thought of the super long toms earlier. However, I've suddenly found it to be a bit more difficult to water that tray and the pitchers than previously.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 12, 2016, 04:38:42 PM
There were a couple of large Opilio saxatilis ( if you know differently please say so) on the wall this afternoon so you'll just have to suffer the photos  ;D

Photo 1 shows just how long those legs are.
Photo 2 just lets you look into those eyes

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 12, 2016, 05:25:50 PM
And another, as close as I could get without removing wall.

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 13, 2016, 07:00:50 PM
The photo of the flower on this Pinguicula "Linz" is showing about the best colour rendition I've seen for this plant. Most photos are too bright and pink whereas the colour is more ripe plum slightly bluer than here but not so far blue as a Damson. I'd just spotted that it's open and it's a little dull so the photo isn't as sharp as I'd like. Nevertheless it's one to record. I'll try for a better shot tomorrow.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: David Nicholson on September 13, 2016, 07:46:45 PM
Pretty.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 14, 2016, 05:29:13 PM
There's a new web at the bottom of the garden. She's managed to span 8ft and she's only medium size. Nice colour on her.

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 14, 2016, 05:31:56 PM
This little fellow got quite attached to me, literally. He ended up hanging from my nose  ::)

Considering I'd not seen a male Araneus until this year they're proving to be quite common at the moment.

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 14, 2016, 05:33:29 PM
A newcomer into the middle greenhouse. She's a little different to the Araneus and I've not been unable to identify her as yet.

Now identified as Metellina segmentata

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: mark smyth on September 14, 2016, 05:38:55 PM
When do I collect gemmae and when do I sow them? How do I know which way is up?

How about this for a size difference! 'Mardi Gras' from a grower/nursery and a tiny plant from ebay. £13.50 and £5.00
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 14, 2016, 06:02:28 PM
You collect gemmae  when they're ready, you'll need a little bit of intuition for that ( It's not available on ebay, I looked  :P). They'll be in the crown of the plant and you can invert the plant and brush them off ( risky) or as I used to do collect them with tweezers. There's plenty of time before that's necessary though. They're not seed so you plant them ie you lay them on the surface and they'll sort the rest out for themselves.

It's Sarracenia "Mardi Gras" according to the ICPS. The double inverted commas indicate it is not a registered cultivar. The price and size difference of your plants seems appropriate.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 15, 2016, 09:17:38 AM
It's one of those Autumnal mornings  ;D

(http://fredg.boards.net/attachment/download/55)

(http://fredg.boards.net/attachment/download/56)

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 17, 2016, 08:33:22 AM
Good Morning

Today's specimen is a Stone Spider, Drassodes lapidosus or Drassodes cupreus. She was hiding in a watering can I wanted to use and she tried to take a runner when I started filling it. She's a webless spider and hunts nocturnally.
Once again the wall came in handy for taking photos  ;D.

(http://fredg.boards.net/attachment/download/58)

(http://fredg.boards.net/attachment/download/59)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: David Nicholson on September 17, 2016, 09:25:34 AM
Fred, your pictures in the last two pots are not showing.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: mark smyth on September 17, 2016, 11:37:33 AM
I can see them
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 17, 2016, 12:04:07 PM
Thumbnails added so you get 2 for the price of one. Or BOGOF.  ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 18, 2016, 01:18:30 PM
I was looking at the Sultanas again and these big Wasps were feeding well. They're about 50% longer than the common Wasp so are they Hornets?

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: mark smyth on September 19, 2016, 03:06:05 PM
How do I know if my Nepenthes are epiphytic or terrestrial? I have 'Suki', 'Bill Bailey' and 'Lady Luck'. 'Suki' is keeping well above the sphagnum but 'Bill Bailey' is being swamped

If possible I'd like to move them both to a peat based mix
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 19, 2016, 04:01:42 PM
Mark , I have checked the most up to date list of Nepenthes registered cultivars provided by the ICPS and of the 242 listed none of your three are on there so the names should have  double inverted commas to show that.

What I can tell you is :-
Nepenthes "Bill Bailey" = Nepenthes singalana x ventricosa
Nepenthes "Lady Luck" = Nepenthes ampullaria x ventricosa
Nepenthes "Suki" = Nepenthes rafflessiana (deep burgundy form) x  sibuyanensis (bright orange form)

As to them requiring lowland, highland, intermediate, ultra lowland or ultra highland temperatures and humidity I'll leave that to you.
I do not grow Nepenthes.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: mark smyth on September 19, 2016, 04:17:54 PM
For now they site on a south west windowsill
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 19, 2016, 07:02:06 PM
I was looking at the Sultanas again and these big Wasps were feeding well. They're about 50% longer than the common Wasp so are they Hornets?

This one is checking out as Dolichovespula media, the Median Wasp. The size is reportedly 18-22 mm as opposed to the 12-18 mm for Vespula vulgaris, the Common Wasp.
It says the "back to front" 7s at either side of the thorax when viewed from above is an indicator. The colour is variable from more black to more red.

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 20, 2016, 12:10:36 PM
Linyphia triangularis, the Common Hammock-Weaver or European Sheetweb Spider. This one sharing a hanging basket with half a dozen or so Garden spiders. Not a large spider by any means.

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 24, 2016, 03:37:25 PM
Regarding my electric slug protection (please note that it's not the slugs I'm protecting), things have moved on. I now have a single circuit, a double circuit and a 4 pot ring circuit using the standard copper tape and the 9v batteries.
Today I cut off a section of the branded electric slug fence and did the business on that, individual pots can then easily be moved in and out of the protected area. It needs a flat surface or pinning to the earth, I'll be sitting it in a very large black saucer ( 25p Wilco winter clearance) I noted  that the circuit is made up of aluminium tape so a quick check on eBay revealed that a purpose made 33m x 2.5cm roll of aluminium tape with conductive adhesive can be obtained for £2.99 ( or best offer) POST FREE which is considerably cheaper than using copper tape.

The digital multimeter indicates that all my current circuits (pun intended) are operative at 9v.

Damage to plants protected by these circuits to date = Zero.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 25, 2016, 09:56:21 AM
The largest Drosophyllum tub (again)


Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on September 25, 2016, 12:12:53 PM

I do not grow Nepenthes.

Really? Why not?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 25, 2016, 06:58:47 PM
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.

 ;D

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 27, 2016, 06:34:27 PM
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.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 30, 2016, 04:36:47 PM
The Dionaea have come on particularly well since flowering.

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 30, 2016, 04:39:44 PM
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.



Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 30, 2016, 04:42:31 PM
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.

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 03, 2016, 05:19:27 PM
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.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 06, 2016, 04:14:56 PM
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.



Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 07, 2016, 07:52:33 AM
The Toad Lilies seem to be late this year, however, the ones that are out are much appreciated.

( Cue excuse to post a photo)

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on October 07, 2016, 01:38:59 PM
And what a photo!  the tricyrtis are such fascinating flowers.  Worth every shot!
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 11, 2016, 07:56:57 PM
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  :o  and spent the next 16 hours or so having dinner.
Never before have I known a spider take anything but live and kicking prey.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on October 11, 2016, 08:13:52 PM
Probably the first time a bloke's offered her dinner......
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 11, 2016, 08:25:46 PM
She's probably had a few blokes for dinner.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: mark smyth on October 11, 2016, 10:52:53 PM
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?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 11, 2016, 11:12:55 PM
If it's in a greenhouse there's no need to feed it at all,Mark
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 14, 2016, 09:00:53 PM
I tried my friendly spider with another re-hydrated mealworm and once again she took it. Amazing
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 15, 2016, 09:05:53 AM
Yum yum!

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 15, 2016, 12:30:54 PM
This is the spider I identified as Metellina segmentata in the middle greenhouse. She's very difficult to photograph without damaging the web so this is a free hand/macro/zoom shot and not as crisp as I like.

[attach=1]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 15, 2016, 03:15:37 PM
I think I improved slightly on the photo above.

[attach=1] [attach=2] [attach=3]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Hoy on October 15, 2016, 08:15:50 PM
Yum yum!


Don't tempt me!

I have once tasted roasted larvae (mealworms). It was not too bad!
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 15, 2016, 08:40:11 PM
Chocolate coated would be better  :P
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Hoy on October 15, 2016, 09:09:15 PM
Chocolate coated would be better  :P

You don't want to see what you eat?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 15, 2016, 09:23:33 PM
Not while I'm chewing it.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 16, 2016, 12:14:55 PM
MrsG found this Tammy noddy lying on its back, soaking wet this morning. It made a quick recovery with some hand heat.

Phlogophora meticulosa - Angle Shades moth

[attach=1] [attach=3] [attach=2]




Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: mark smyth on October 20, 2016, 04:45:23 PM
S. ‘Peaches’ (S. alata x S. purpurea ssp purpurea) x wilisii (purpurea × psittacina) × (purpurea × flava) × purpurea) x S. purpurea) off ebay and probably not correct due to the amount of red. The sellers title was Sarracenia X (Peaches x Wilisii) x (Minor “Giant” x Purpurea ssp Purpurea)

Three photos showing how each pitcher ages from yellowish to quite dark. I'll have to contact the seller to find out if s/he sent the wrong plant
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: mark smyth on October 20, 2016, 10:39:29 PM
From the ebay seller "There is no "parent plant" as such, this is one of a potful of seedlings from this cross I was given by Stephen Morely who originally made the cross, there was a lot of variation among the seedlings (the one I selected to keep for myself was very red for instance)."
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 21, 2016, 08:25:45 AM
I'm not sure why you think the plant is not correct Mark. There's nothing to compare it to as it's a fresh hybrid.
On a complicated hybrid I would expect a lot of variation in the seedlings.

I think you got the pedigree confused when you attempted the full parentage BTW.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 22, 2016, 03:56:19 PM
Most of the spiders from inside the greenhouse have now abandoned their webs.Outside however they're still around.
Here's a couple from this morning on the outside of one greenhouse which  have webs about 6" from each other.

[attach=1]  [attach=2]

Cute little things aren't they.

[attach=3]  [attach=4]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: partisangardener on November 05, 2016, 01:49:55 PM
Good news about Drosera regia in the wild. Only one was known to be left in the habitat at Bains Kloof.
Now after the fire they discovered 12 further ones and one thought to be extinct has revived.
http://icps.proboards.com/thread/3586/drosera-regia-south-africa?page=2&scrollTo=42389 (http://icps.proboards.com/thread/3586/drosera-regia-south-africa?page=2&scrollTo=42389)

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 05, 2016, 04:24:22 PM
The Heliamphora I had heading for the bin but gave a last minute reprieve is coming on by leaps and bounds. Several new pitchers have matured and several more on the way.
Now I'm puzzled as to why I didn't grow it this way before.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ashley on November 05, 2016, 05:46:22 PM
That looks happy Fred 8) 
Is it H. nutans, and how would you recommend growing it?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 05, 2016, 06:42:46 PM
That's H heterodoxa x minor Ashley. Heliamphora don't appreciate constantly wet feet so tray watering isn't recommended. However, I put that one in a super long tom (10cm x 10cm x 17cm) and it's happily sitting in a water tray with Utricularia  reniformis which never dries. The way it's going I'll need to find some bigger super long toms. Medium is live sphagnum and perlite.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ashley on November 05, 2016, 06:59:06 PM
Thanks Fred.  The super long tom certainly works well.  Is it to ensure constant mositure but without saturation, and does the plant prefer to be drier/cooler over winter? 
I know nothing about Heliamphora but am tempted to try ...
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 05, 2016, 08:02:32 PM
Cooler is OK overwinter but not freezing. They also like strong light.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: brianw on November 05, 2016, 09:03:17 PM
My Heliophora nutans seems happy with constantly wet feet, but only 10-15mm in summer and occasional zero in winter. Never intentionally not standing in water for more than a day or so. They are in shallow pots of perlite sphagnum moss.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 06, 2016, 08:05:15 AM
That's the wonderful thing with Carnivorous plants Brian. There's always someone doing it differently ( usually me).
 ;D

My water trays average about 2" (5cm) depth of water. Previously I have used overturned saucers to stand the Heliamphora on, this however can cause problems if you go on holiday and/or the level isn't topped up, for whatever reason,  before the level gets too low. The pots were therefore standing in a 2" depth and they just didn't like it. Now with these much deeper pots they can be treated just like their companions. The plants like it, I don't have to faff about with different levels. To me that's a win win situation.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ashley on November 06, 2016, 09:08:53 AM
Heliamphora preferences are a bit clearer to me now.
Thank you both.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 07, 2016, 05:16:49 PM
This Toad Lily has finally decided to start opening the buds.

Not a perfect flower so far but it's passable.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Michael J Campbell on November 07, 2016, 06:47:02 PM
Nice.  :)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 16, 2016, 07:45:30 PM
We were up, this week, getting some repairs done on the Scottish estate. Three of these appeared in the paddock on Monday morning,with two deciding to skip the fence and peruse the garden. Possibly some of the ones MrsG photographed in March.

[attach=1]  [attach=2]  [attach=3]  [attach=4]  [attach=5]

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 17, 2016, 06:11:25 PM
This has also appeared while I was away. It's a very strange time of year for a Drosophyllum to think about flowering. I was hoping they would hold off until early spring.

[attach=1]  [attach=2]

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ashley on November 18, 2016, 08:43:16 AM
In advanced bud here too (D. capensis).
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on November 18, 2016, 05:46:50 PM
In advanced bud here too (D. capensis).

 And will these buds open soon or simply sit overwinter?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ashley on November 18, 2016, 07:26:59 PM
Within 2-3 weeks I'd say Maggi, but the plants are indoors so higher temperature is probably a factor.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 23, 2016, 07:03:59 PM
One of my 'Oddities'

WIP ( he's not finished) Scale 20mm

[attach=1]

You have to do something in winter
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on November 23, 2016, 08:00:08 PM
He is a bit odd- why is his hair outside his helmet?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 23, 2016, 08:38:33 PM
Because there's not enough room inside it  ::)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: David Nicholson on November 23, 2016, 08:40:39 PM
Brave little soldier :P
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on November 23, 2016, 10:15:19 PM
Because there's not enough room inside it  ::)
Fair enough
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Tristan_He on November 26, 2016, 08:38:58 AM
I see he is also fundraising for Movember...
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 26, 2016, 06:51:53 PM
They all do Tristan  ;D

[attach=1]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: David Nicholson on November 27, 2016, 09:42:44 AM
Must be quite pleasurable making all those Fred :P
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 27, 2016, 03:58:59 PM
it keeps me out of mischief in winter David. Well not totally but it helps.  ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: David Nicholson on November 27, 2016, 06:50:28 PM
I suppose having to have a lot of bottle tops does have many advantages?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 27, 2016, 07:24:11 PM
Once the empties have been disposed of, yes it does
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: David Nicholson on November 27, 2016, 08:29:03 PM
 :-\ :D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on November 30, 2016, 05:24:54 PM
Job done except for basing. MrsG thought they should be dirtier but I'm happy with the effect.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5812/31338608105_0f0c78bb0f_o.jpg)

(https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5760/30516262854_1336ccf717_o.jpg)

Now for the first lot of French Imperial Carabiniers  ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on December 10, 2016, 09:49:40 PM
The 10th of December and this is what I find in the top greenhouse.

[attach=1]

Most plants will be going to sleep and this chappy decides it's a great time to send up an inflorescence. It's a very nice thought but I don't think it will be successful.


Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: brianw on December 10, 2016, 10:42:48 PM
Mine does not seem to recognise seasons either. I sort of assumed this is because it comes from the Equator and does not have any when at home.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on December 13, 2016, 08:10:53 AM
I think it's the mild weather we're having Brian, it's confusing for the plants. The Dionaea are mostly holding onto their greenery, the only one I'd describe as dormant is Bohenian Garnet. Here's B52 which is still producing very large pitchers in December.

[attach=1]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on December 29, 2016, 07:58:26 PM
A late seasonal message

(https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5609/31817130772_0f87549498_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Roma on December 29, 2016, 10:40:53 PM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: partisangardener on February 22, 2017, 04:05:06 PM
Very impressing your blog. Drosophyllum never stopped flowering through the winter with me. Maybe the first flowers will open a bit early. But it flowers several times a season if kept well, so no problem.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: partisangardener on April 12, 2017, 07:35:00 AM
One of my Drosophyllum pots needed a bigger pot. It was sown December 2014 flowered a lot last year and had plenty seeds. So I decided to take the risk to repott it.

My most spectacular plants are still in their old flower pot.

If someone is interested here is the picture session of the whole potting process to be seen
https://forum.carnivoren.org/forums/topic/43055-neuer-topf-f (https://forum.carnivoren.org/forums/topic/43055-neuer-topf-f)ür-große-drosophyllum/

While I was potting I discovered some thickening in a lot of their roots. Maybe a sighn for mycorrhiza asociation.

(http://i1037.photobucket.com/albums/a457/partisangardener/Drosowurzeln%20groszlig_zpspembrdgc.jpg) (http://s1037.photobucket.com/user/partisangardener/media/Drosowurzeln%20groszlig_zpspembrdgc.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 02, 2017, 06:18:13 PM
Bitte halten Sie mich darüber informiert, wie die Wiedertopfpflanze reagiert, Axel

Now it's that time of year again

https://youtu.be/AN_lSFlD8Yc (http://youtu.be/AN_lSFlD8Yc)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 05, 2017, 02:29:48 PM
The 10th of December and this is what I find in the top greenhouse.

(Attachment Link)

Most plants will be going to sleep and this chappy decides it's a great time to send up an inflorescence. It's a very nice thought but I don't think it will be successful.

Well I'm please to say that I was completely wrong. The plant and inflorescemce came through the (mild) winter very well.
It was a little like watching paint dry but we're finally getting there.
The middle flower today

[attachimg=1]

When this one is over there are three replacements on the top.

[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 10, 2017, 10:12:38 AM
An update on the Heliamphora flowers.

[attachimg=1]  [attachimg=2]

There's nothing quite like a little bit of colour to brighten the day.

[attachimg=3]

[attachimg=4]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: David Nicholson on May 10, 2017, 12:58:31 PM
Very pretty Fred.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 11, 2017, 04:47:59 PM
This year's photos of Cypripedium guttatum.

The aphids are there for scale ( like heck they are, they're now ex aphids  ::))

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

They're not bad photos of aphids though  :P
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 19, 2017, 03:50:54 PM
I had to go to that country up north of me for a few days  and this greeted me on my return.

      [attach=1]            [attach=2]

[attachimg=3]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 19, 2017, 03:58:00 PM
I forgot to mention that MrsG finally discovered who was eating the bread and sultanas she left out for the birds to feed on first thing in the morning.

[attach=1]  [attach=2]





Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ashley on May 19, 2017, 04:04:24 PM
I had to go to that country up north of me for a few days  and this greeted me on my return.

Very nice Fred.  Is that your H. heterodoxa x minor?
Has it flowered before, and if so have you tried for seed?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 19, 2017, 05:00:16 PM
Yes, that's the ex-neglected H. heterodoxa x minor.
I've been growing and flowering Heliamphora since the late 80s, Ashley, I've never bothered with seed from any of them.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ashley on May 19, 2017, 08:02:39 PM
Well if ever you have seed going begging Fred, I'd be delighted to try some ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 20, 2017, 11:44:51 AM
There's a new population of garden spiders in the Darlingtonia house.  ;D

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 20, 2017, 07:10:23 PM
The Fire Brigade appliance arrived across the road this morning. They got their ladders out and one of the crew went up on the roof and peered down the chimney pots. Result negative.

The Fire Brigade appliance arrived this evening. Same crew, same fire officer on the roof, different roof. This time he was on the other side of the chimney stack. He poked about a bit, removed a bit of this and a bit of that then pulled this thing out of a chimney.

[attach=1]  [attach=2]  [attach=3] photos ©MrsG

That's a two storey house plus the chimney stack and then the chimney pot. We have no idea how the cat got up there.  :-\
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 21, 2017, 04:27:49 PM
Another trip to the pit site to look for the early purple, Orchis mascula. None were to be found in flower over the site but a couple of small orchids were in flower.

[attach=1]  [attach=2]

There were plenty spotted orchids, Dactylorhiza fuchsii ( and hybrids of) evident, many showing buds but not yet flowering. This of course leads me to post a selection of leaf photos. :D

First of course is a spotless spotted orchid.

[attach=3]   [attach=4]   [attach=5]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 21, 2017, 04:31:01 PM
As can be seen above there is damage to many leaves and not always when the plant is close to the path. This is due to the number of dogs walked in the meadow.

Now back to the spots  ;D

[attach=1]   [attach=2]   [attach=3]   [attach=4]   [attach=5]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 22, 2017, 05:56:31 PM
Plenty of new growth in the fernery and it's lush and green now. This crosier (crozier) of Dryopteris erythrosora caught my eye. Who need flowers?

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 25, 2017, 07:48:10 AM
I had an ooops moment with my failing Heliamphora minor a few months ago. (It happens  :-\) I've finally replaced it with a  small specimen of Heliamphora nutans x heterodoxa. I repotted into a super long tom on receipt so we'll see how it goes.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ian mcdonald on May 25, 2017, 01:23:02 PM
Fred, could your "spotless spotted orchid" be a southern marsh?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 25, 2017, 07:07:08 PM
It's a possibility Ian. They're very small and just the two on a 4-5 acre orchid meadow. It could also be a hybrid.
The area is reclaimed and I'm not sure if they seeded it or it's natural regeneration.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 26, 2017, 03:41:30 PM
This is a " common or garden" Garden Centre carnivorous plant. Pinguicula 'Tina'. She was sitting there begging me to take her home. I condescended to her wishes and she is rewarding me well.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 27, 2017, 11:39:12 AM
These are the two pots of Drosera slackii potted at the same time with the same media, in identical pots and are in the same lagoon 4" apart. So temperature, light etc. etc. are effectively the same. Why one pair are in full growth and sending up their inflorescence and the other is having to regenerate from the roots is anyone's guess.

[attach=1]    [attach=2]

If anyone ever tries to tell you horticulture is an exact science turn away before you chuckle or the poor dear may be offended.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 28, 2017, 02:06:37 PM
We are finding pests in the garden and rather than waste them I feed them to the plants. Here's some examples of Drosera regia dining on Lily beetles and Chafers

First, in the middle of the leaf. The tentacles bend over to get maximum possible coverage on the prey and faster digestion.

[attach=1]    [attach=2]    [attach=3]


Nearer the tip of the leaf, the tentacles bend over and so does the leaf.

[attach=4]    [attach=5]


Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 29, 2017, 07:00:24 PM
A couple of photos of Pinguicula martinezii showing the very prominent glands. This one looks hungry  ;D

[attach=1]    [attach=2]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 31, 2017, 12:17:28 PM
More changes in the Heliamphora so I'll have to post more photos  ;D

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 08, 2017, 06:42:51 PM
Some time around about 2012ish I sowed my Lilium hansonii seed. The buds are finally starting to open and they're worth it.

[attach=1]    [attach=2]

Now all I need is a little less wind (weather wise not personally) and a warm spell to find out first hand just how strong the plant's scent is.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 09, 2017, 05:39:40 PM
More changes in the Heliamphora so another photo.  ;D

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 12, 2017, 02:57:00 PM
One plant in the largest Drosophyllum tub has faded and expired, the other two are doing well. All other plants seem quite happy and we have the prospect of further flowers.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 13, 2017, 11:33:26 AM
Two of the Drosera are flowering today.

Drosera venusta v coccicaulis is small but perfectly formed.

[attachimg=1]

The second is Drosera 'Helen' a Stephen Morley hybrid.

It certainly grabs attention.

[attachimg=2]

And I wasn't really expecting a flower quite this size. It's a cracker for a Drosera

[attach=3]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 14, 2017, 08:44:58 PM
'Tis Orchidfest time again

https://youtu.be/alNZJneLIJc (https://youtu.be/alNZJneLIJc)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 16, 2017, 04:08:47 PM
A small cloud of Stylidium caespitosum hovering above a Dionaea lagoon

[attachimg=1]

A dark Sarracenia, I believe this is S. x courtii, please don't ask me to hunt the label out.

[attachimg=2]

I used to worry about posting this one on here as I feared it could cause retina burn out. I can't see the point in that anymore.

[attachimg=3]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 16, 2017, 05:10:31 PM
This is what MrsG can do with the old Olympus bridge camera.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4227/34957280590_90486a78fd_o.jpg)©MrsG

You don't need an expensive DSLR to get good photos  ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 17, 2017, 11:20:19 AM
This is the flower of Drosera x obovata. It shows clearly why this plant isn't grown for its flowers. This one is 4mm across though the plant will open a fresh one daily over the season.

[attachimg=1]    [attachimg=2]

Quite often the buds on some plants can outshine the flowers of another.

The buds of Drosera regia.

[attachimg=3]

Another example, the flower of Drosera filiformis with the hairy buds beneath it

[attachimg=4]

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 17, 2017, 03:27:35 PM
A bit of extra colour.

Cerinthe major purpurescens

[attachimg=1]

A red 'Martagon'

[attachimg=2]

Lilium 'Fairy Morning'

[attachimg=3]

And finally Arisaema franchetianum

[attachimg=4]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 19, 2017, 11:36:26 AM
Arisaema flavum.

These are self fertile so seed is produced readily each year. I had quite an number in pots and to reduce the pots I have to manage, I scattered plants in groups around the garden. This didn't go down too well with them, I don't think they appreciated the competition from the other garden plants. I thought I'd lost them until I spotted a few leaves last year. These were potted up and now, thankfully, I have my little yellow spaths back.

[attach=1]    [attach=2]    [attach=3]

A bonus this year was discovering a pot marked " Misc pips" turned out to be A. flavum too.



The spath of Arisaema franchetianum has adopted the 'position'.

[attach=4]    [attach=5]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 20, 2017, 11:02:30 AM
The Drosophyllum are off again.Nice simple large, for a sticky, yellow flowers.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 20, 2017, 05:15:06 PM
This pot of 'grass' sends up these delightful little clouds of flowers every year. The only problem I have with it is the label went walkies. I'm sure some fine person on here can help with that.

[attachimg=1]

It seeds profusely too  ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Steve Garvie on June 20, 2017, 05:36:07 PM
Anomatheca laxa?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 20, 2017, 06:23:09 PM
That name strikes a chord. Thank you Steve  ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on June 20, 2017, 06:26:46 PM
Now Freesia laxa
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 20, 2017, 09:31:51 PM
I love it

Freesia laxa - The false freesia  ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 21, 2017, 04:13:53 PM
L. 'Fairy Morning' flowered some weeks ago and I've been trying to remember what happened to L. 'Arabian Knight'. MrsG and I couldn't find the tub of them anywhere.
Then the remaining buds in the 'Fairy Morning' tub opened and ooooooooops it says they're both in there on the label.

[attachimg=1]



Allium plummerae, apparently a rare plant outside its native Arizona.

[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 22, 2017, 07:39:41 AM
I spotted a pot of Linaria triornithophora at a show recently and added it to my little Linaria collection. When the flowers first opened I thought I'd been sold a pup as it was supposed to be pink and the flowers looked more like 'Albina'

[attachimg=1]

However, after a couple of days the older flowers started to show a definite pink blush.

[attachimg=2]

I've yet to see a bee on them though.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 23, 2017, 11:37:51 AM
More flowers on the carnivorous.

Drosera cuneifolia, a rosette type with quite large flowers for the genus.

[attachimg=1]

The various pots of Drosera filiformis are doing their one a day thing.

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 25, 2017, 03:19:44 PM
Something to brighten your day.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ashley on June 25, 2017, 05:44:58 PM
Understated ;) ;D
What's 'Disa B'?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 26, 2017, 11:52:18 AM
Disa  x watsonii 'Bromley' Ashley.

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 26, 2017, 08:15:55 PM
The flowers of Stylidium caespitosum and S. debile showing the triggers.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 29, 2017, 08:58:14 PM
The final bud on the Heliamphora has opened. It took a while to start opening flowers but then it keeps opening them for a long time.

[attachimg=1]

A repotted Drosera regia that was struggling to get started this year. It's not struggling now.

[attachimg=2]

Ignore the nibble, I'm sure that the guilty gastropod is an ex-gastropod by now. I'm using beer traps and they're very effective so far. BTW don't fret at the waste of 'beer', it's the 'not for human consumption' Supermarket own brand stuff @£1 for 4 cans.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Yann on June 29, 2017, 10:02:30 PM
Heliamphora are not so easy to grow (i use a fogger), you got nice stems.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ashley on June 29, 2017, 10:39:52 PM
Yann, here they grow outdoors during the summer, in full (Irish ;)) sun but with roots shaded and pots standing in rain-water.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 05, 2017, 11:20:25 AM
This hairy chappie appeared outside the Darlingtonia house this morning. It's about 20mm  long.

[attachimg=1]

ID please
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 10, 2017, 11:20:45 AM
Lilium lankongense, acquired this year and just starting to flower. It had stems coming out of the drainage holes so at present it is double potted. There should be a few bulbs in the pot this autumn  ;D.

[attachimg=1]

Complete with the ubiquitous aphid.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 12, 2017, 05:58:49 PM
I found the Cockchafer ( see above) again only this time it was legs up. One of the Drosera regia was begging nicely so it wasn't wasted.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 14, 2017, 04:16:48 PM
A couple of Drosera in flower at the moment.

Drosera regia.

[attachimg=1]


Drosera slackii

[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on July 14, 2017, 04:38:28 PM
Quote
Drosera regia.
Pretty shot  with the sun  shadows of the anthers on the flower
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 14, 2017, 07:55:42 PM
Thank you Maggi.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 23, 2017, 12:12:27 PM
First up today is Dionaea 'Fused Tooth' starting to do what it says on the label.

[attachimg=1]

The traps only produce the fused teeth for a short period in summer. The rest of the year they produce 'normal' teeth.

[attachimg=2]

Next a small specimen of Pinguicula laueana x emarginata. The leaf colour is attractive.

[attachimg=3]

Finally a threatened fern species. Pilularia globulifera is reputedly fussy about its lighting and companion plants but for me it romps through live sphagnum and appears to be just as happy romping through the water trays. The latter is the preferred method for me as down there it doesn't contaminate pots and trays of more delicate plants.

[attachimg=4]

[attachimg=5]

I'll repost the latter in the new fern section.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 24, 2017, 06:13:32 PM
Drosera 'Helen' again but this time with a friend.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 29, 2017, 12:29:47 PM
More insects, a couple of butterflies from this morning's perambulation.

Vanessa atalanta - the Red Admiral

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

Maniola jurtina - the Meadow Brown

[attachimg=3]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 05, 2017, 11:02:19 AM
A few Pinguicula photographs.

P martinezii. This has the most prominent glands I've seen on a Pinguicula.

[attach=1]


Pinguicila 'Florian'. The rosette colours up nicely over summer.

[attach=2]


Pinguicula ehlersae. Very tidy attractive summer rosettes.

[attach=3]


Pinguicula 'Linz'. Attractive dark flowers.

[attach=4]   [attach=5]
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 05, 2017, 11:29:33 AM
I've added a small extension to the bottom of the fernery. The plants are Cyrtomium macrophyllum, Blechnum spicant and Onoclea sensibilis. Note the slug trap, the slugs may not noticeably attack native ferns if there is a good number  of plants but they certainly enjoy a good nibble on the young croziers of non-native introductions. I have also noted that my slugs prefer bitter to lager.

[attachimg=1]


One of the ant nests were having a false 'flying ant release' moment yesterday so I borrowed a bit of the birds' apples and some of them became somewhat distracted.

Foooooooooooooood!
[attachimg=2]


Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on August 11, 2017, 01:49:44 PM
Thought all the Carnivorous Plants fans would see these pages  so.....

This weekend at RHS Harlow Carr, a special event on carnivorous plants with displays, plant sales and talks....
https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr/viewevent?EFID=351&ESRC=CMS (https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr/viewevent?EFID=351&ESRC=CMS)

[attachimg=1]

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 11, 2018, 09:59:31 PM
https://youtu.be/9mZAqD-HOa0 (http://youtu.be/9mZAqD-HOa0)


https://youtu.be/Q3WC9WJ8kBA (http://youtu.be/Q3WC9WJ8kBA)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 27, 2021, 12:18:45 PM
Three videos of this year's Orchidfest. The videos are silent so if required play your own music  ;)

https://youtu.be/JtSaadxJUL4 (https://youtu.be/JtSaadxJUL4)

https://youtu.be/UhJM-BR4Zhk (https://youtu.be/UhJM-BR4Zhk)

https://youtu.be/ky73SZTvYiY (https://youtu.be/ky73SZTvYiY)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fermi de Sousa on June 29, 2021, 07:24:24 AM
A lovely photo essay, Fred!
Things we'll never see over here so a delight to witness on screen,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 29, 2021, 11:27:34 AM
Dactylorhiza purpurella, the Northern Marsh Orchid in habitat.

The location.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YMjwoTYQWShZ72JCiaQLSiVAlFSpJpdMp3wJTzRvl7ph3hMVlgK-DNMdhn2sdJj32Zn3TEjHsWk7LvNEtcZaaRh-zh2oK5oXr9TQoDHvwESRjh1Tb5p6DS9EOD4i5XvCkwajaKsucbI=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/En0jx5nCzyIU_lFqtIgXYzjCzcemRIGHOu89e_fIb6OTAHFM0G14zMWnG4avYrCwltB7Xk7rZQQlzSfSlB9hwsH2Ht1WT2aCeVrD9kico8bmmojyIeIdQ5ZXhmToWw0XNq7lAHkUY2w=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pHeM5ArAXMftjClbGgkrpdOrNZ4rqyDPOI8CyIh_NyfWBmnFMM8fWWRfdWc9mmK2CBs4oxsAxAMZ3lHd808JCcwKudFDDu6OqaDYtB-SaNDQrvWU4ibwMhBMVbazeAyjUVvIFcoOfsE=w1920-h1080)

A few plants.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yd-9jGvfrrZndB7fZzT0zKONzEKLoDztrq0yGFH8x4EHQb9uK7IhM6q5sDtffy0AEaTEOenhK7OWvSQmvBHrc8aBW1T6O5P-y0_AQJF4H6TC_6qZWMveG0a2iisXrfKATPOso8UNFgY=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PkoXT_Xdda7t0WRxD7rMuo8O4wgsq3X9qouQZD-QLEBc-TX6mgq5WRc_9PIlJxITMEax8097JTWEhl4Il79SWJx9qdnH2twGhBjAMkTs5qvMBckcvL-fdfR7vmd0D6JJtx3Grih5A3I=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iVF414HS5gdqtqA3S3wr75kGjXiTdaXbhVyuOFhxOJXQZE0grBsDHjb16i0RkT3TGz_N64uKoreetobs_QaeI5CLPJAVL6OACIrxroqT_UaqopNfCE-vod5pQVM_Q6hgjAE4Efx1Kqc=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/C9zVG7iPzSj-9jczExsKF7VJzuP-l-CiMGrXKMeuBHFdcUHt0JJJRd2VjQFEiqjLns1XKvK5pjVoKF-3JUcGv1FDwVjS4IrXZ_uUQWEWfWoU1bWfoU9u7bYv8Tb7xbbbDh_bVkZpffA=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/esGgRi4cPz4QJH3RFTWI7pcjJZJkVLiMvCC1XjbC7ieVjcPASlcwjw1XAX6tJIEAO6vxGvho6Fa2HjxaA4raFuAj3i_P_fcD1w6Hhvbxo96QWUYsG_zK-w8tVY8edm0au5_RPexmAJk=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SzKQM58zOiPrNhy8tLUqMDdQZnkSBSio8zrExYKEG9tHxhVWLLLRLEFFRAkcavAYrK2Upx_S3h5mCq3s-KiyC4mPLRx2mjmhIOG9kCC7VtzIJ3HQ9NlvgVJZSi4zJSzh9KMsPn6N16c=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SgZNYTTQZYUJ-2e_boFGw4pOm30w2MLRW71mQVzmMxaxgdRr148QUx8Ked3I_sQnJrdrSuxfP--1jIC5IA1r4KlI6MvIgo9TvfJklkFV57uTamBlo8jwhHQ2iXO5i65Beho6CIvwNno=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YcD4wHiEvn7pET_5-bYAbtar6cuKbATwG_O-4WY6RgSuYpAT16AX-wU-G1uxEeePiUMuHSORsakqqGn3nbhKLxbOiWJiOKwc0m4GTLQHRRohGAr3_DGa4Gf63zymH96KNphHF4HZMpI=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dZZpNTr7CW8OuKGT-JWU0hnYaabSp-OnSFkOGTgzLOjgd8SxeM677j7DmOMxN2zuYpal9_wWPiVevUrAYhx_iG1EnKe8RItnoMZFJGJZ3SjxveDphGt3j-OA6CMQLZDM_L3SiePZmmQ=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4zlwtvY6WcbSFuKrWYnSilC8d1Rq_ZaMXV8gNuKDkGHinNMSQpNKGMZS529dtYe7kcafg6gQsRd8JU2-Hac32FbcQLo0oH9YJBDpzJ_vnGQY7I4YT72LiUvx39eO32xEkz3mpTVqflg=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CkCfEXFB5YAwTbT8BBMEsc-JxRA21fMQC1NMnP7sg7WVfahhImQiH3Lw_nt5hhBOAe0IX79vhiRx6sowrkT6siFPyHHch5QXLaAmyTG06HnkwTkBGktzxjn8VEBKprQXafOqZEVnXBM=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iZVY3x1epULNadWzJ3R9FcYoO4NmfBZ0Q1KKbyN6ipb0hBZeZK6SH-oDx2MnD1_QzRg9AzeEWDQoeZWj85XuQma2MAKqYC19Ht6-BNQyzB5BqlTmXOrPGkjylhHU1mzxSeZrOFihUKo=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/g0ceMA3mRfWu-VAvARfA4FC-Q48m6g8I9g0un6ouOBj6pCF5xHCqUW2vYvEdg83ql3gSGFt1MoL_xWqx7Hb1ydXoWMrFNDKJgrMPO7jaZ-okDFhEHp0vOWtebaKPRDda_InUTGQd4Ts=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 30, 2021, 11:01:38 PM
During my break from posting I have claimed a small area for Mesembs, mainly Lithops and Conophytum but there are quite a few others. This is the kind of thing.

A Machairophyllum sp. flowering in the evening

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cUfeF0j13IbNtc-l_FXiR-MV6SlN43aNWvgjjULiP5A3f4bTalcrXnLScXE1w89XZwWCpIub1S54nBLCJ7vYfwtskJo5wdaFZq8JOTOWBWKe0Z8fHf4GTNg9ckGzM1N-YgulHInsWRU=w1920-h1080)

Also a liquorice scented Nananthus vitattus

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/N-IA7MjdQqjzy5YtlluGYyUP-0Qabc-nBM4JFYGgx1-HioRjYJ8lL5VLHgFlLUfcZTudaZ633IigC7APHbgp4DGO89DlDJPkq6OmuFoULfslViS4-aQL9xdXRDBvrt3z6SGa1IYHerY=w1920-h1080)

Not forgetting Trichodiadema which look ( to me) as good in bud as in flower.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JPBZqZVlOdOr453fYsdaap9JUTfOkewMSHYaxGKxizQ7CQjZdhdN-oUsBYyy4Nlq9oiLm-cPHM4K2vNonpK0nnmhj6ObIhR8VD8mSBEDE1c84HTVIBtXkc-fsr8Duia-4Ythnp90Y7c=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/m08FS__TF1_rMGBlXt3oHWKuxrV0zhg4iM3hPBlw_1ZcABELBJM0fFA2eMWSCdw3cN4bFKJYRwo3BH3SkmmTwNglmSrzY_WtEQX3kus9WggfgNnaqX5uihhJ8v84YR8lSHtCYtgyi90=w1920-h1080)

Many of the Mesembs are in 2" and 6cm pots so you get a lot into a small area.

Oh I suppose I should mention the Euphorbia too  ;)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 21, 2021, 02:16:11 PM
There's a very large web covering the apex of the middle greenhouse. I've never seen the resident but I know she's feeding well. There are also several smaller webs close by and there again I've nor seen the residents.

Today there was one sunbathing so I did my best to grab a couple of photos while getting into somewhat uncomfortable positions to avoid the gossamer webs.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SMz0OmAdFT_-YTbivRQ-rVYNsughOT1WrqVHwd6jWOkfYWpo8iTe4GZ_EJGz2LIMjox0-_sgs1nyJC8lNC5zc62QVS0dm58SRZY2RT7SZvl5mF5EjWqAkZkglkk5jNk__-kEFNYNMI8=w1920-h1080)

On checking on the computer I thought "got her" but then , "hold on" it's not a her.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jhqar8Zd52mHtrxllUxaRj-YOwc2luh-izLq18O0d3AOgfXcDETitTRbt8_AfRq9njUgV4c78iB56wHO3b0HFZPKCyL7gBWHf3fWnL7LvzC7ntMwMkSMGM8DdawlhkUlRf01ZXsKFJk=w1920-h1080)

The closer photo confirms it's a male. He must be biding his time. Having watched an attempted mating before I don't fancy his chances of survival.

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on July 21, 2021, 02:20:33 PM
Hmm, not just the  plants that are  carniverous in your greenhouse, then, Fred!!?!!
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 21, 2021, 04:17:33 PM
The spiders know when they're in a good position, Maggi. Above the Sarracenia is a good killing zone.

 Here's another couple of photos  with the conundrum of who's feeding on whom

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MZPK7cdguDCatSkmm-iyiMoUiIkP6vqR4t0qDE8PAIqUsKEFtbdfH6kdfNW6X41UKfp-r8QtGy949aPEMEkVE8eCYPpuQYjZ5yo0C6fBrgoYD7vd7mxjcdTRamj6pSGGthsTHPlD_8g=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MzuZJPZmK4db3MjBo4ehl4QbS5OmdceuIVAAz8oJ5XVpC6gTQi2IqcfcipCHQ1nB7jvVHfuMV3TK0S8LO-8XFRKrlHbBAeMBQqPqn1fYvd-Y88YdHoLP9eYd5-ZmCTGAWTJKmYbRL_g=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 26, 2021, 10:51:37 AM
Another Greenbottle bites the dust. The Araneus are dining well at the moment

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VedEZOXqskkcpU-wmjLh2LvbsQpAwsMGG4yx_DOTb5X-_uW_SBKdSg7oTrL0XIpzSo4JxGSv3dylHUd1Wa-pwYFOGDe11PmL8MxObuemQPOqXyZ_k2ggUtA7XqI0MzNzK3li_Lubnsk=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 29, 2021, 07:30:46 PM
A group of Disa 'Sandra' trying and failing to blend in.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vObcawPiMt8P13CX69RrT1UtP66qrnWYZeyEtZkp2M3hKzXaIBMCIsqdbXQQqLfFidsCTQMSMs7iXL3MYbXLe7Yd6ZKH_bg0EwP12YSpkGkDyR5qYQ5Etpn__ZNIfAzMs-qmOiIoBPA=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on July 29, 2021, 09:34:51 PM
A group of Disa 'Sandra' trying and failing to blend in.

Go for it, Sandra, loud and proud!!
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Tristan_He on July 30, 2021, 07:44:21 AM
Go for it, Sandra, loud and proud!!

Disa herself seems quite a character Maggi!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disa
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on July 30, 2021, 01:12:49 PM
Disa herself seems quite a character Maggi!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disa

Oh Yes!!
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 31, 2021, 02:54:29 PM
Who dat?

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uw0BDfD1J4rEKlWxLxfV0SZqz4YRp3XLTk1bt-4D-U1B40Br1_LBxaBgQsEUqv07W_4aqQTxSIy0hy0jV822cj6fG03jwg5cKEHziJr3pcKAoXyIMl-djnGha-iJFWEfenF7-Kt8-OY=w1920-h1080)

Ah! There she is.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7BW_EM6uwBvCPfNjESoDrL1fp95R025BGKKKQXlwTAGJUZnnhFR6psXAt_TWv7HTQ9rN_MDOsqDO_Q0Vc3aE6A80wBse-cMsV4Pfif4UOJdAZ3P9qdrN7rqotQ4PNgAFSqReAQdrdV4=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ITZIChzhLg9scLIZXIrjt12MTZaNRYs7yMkzhcDTFX0IEgKSvv_UV0fgvPOv0ScaEfHlsBQw6L7Af1vmELqCh8BiJltC577QLP8rir6wyNCMHmRn0dhXCEnnNXFEgZllkrb-yc1IoKQ=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4_d-Fobmizlix1r0x4EXlunPfrNWb0SeILvQ1nOJ5kxuboTrYpHpOd5oHlxCkAZUJylfBwMxbBrISpiI_2AZ4UbxAsrJyvsO0-5agyGBvERYU5nuT257gSLjHiRu5hE7WTU7_r8ub94=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 31, 2021, 03:53:09 PM
Looking good just now and will do for several months is an example of a Begonia that has been grown by my wife's family and latterly by myself since the early 1950s. I've never been able to find one the same produced commercially. One looked close but it wasn't really in the same league.

Small leaves and small flowers and plenty of the flowers. It hasn't peaked yet.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/77xlaMbYyw1hfFLWS5_cp1Hu0TZx3jzNT9Xz5p0Lp1ZOmzWKQalO-vH5ukJBJx_QIIm2FtISpLdx4Wkjjt3b-vfwKzDc7ZwofZx9iVpbbMxCdheuH0b83Xx8xcSVOp0RZRAKC1OXjzU=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Q9DUtaOsPJVG0fmfqLGOYrRa3-28N5yA02LJZdMCU7TPgbm5ex5kzWE8nTG3L76QaBP6weO_cyHVQRRjXeKbK3R9-aTfELeYEwt0TZhGB0XwbOBhH4oGClMpdLE2JtwAtz6XIA3hdl8=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 02, 2021, 07:44:34 PM
I'm enjoying growing a few Euphorbias. My E. flanaganii apart from supplying me with quite a number of offsets is showing the potential for quite a display soon. With Euphorbia having such small flowers they do need a mass flowering for the desired effect, however, a very close look is also effective. Here's a couple of macros to enhance my point.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PSvfIM11ngYOwX3CUEWm4Ly7mwZnQGAbIoFV9q2XKjg1gr7bCBlEUk5SokoQMAMIW1v164rdr0gc9G0SO1O-hjX58-TcXyyR1AinRBMwj-6SinVK41LVduRUsv81F3o_hNLNMqoFmz4=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/UNmoggMLDAYrcw5vldvJ86oR51FP1qyRbzshnyzcts9DbHZBCQLYtWyWAZY0ivdcu4VNIf-buZERdtE9krTmwDVBwJVf7fEsfaPKtawQ3e5POcypVmhDzTkmQYch2n3qAeR9rKvtNUg=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 04, 2021, 10:30:54 AM
Stylidium caespitosum with the hammer primed to surprise any unsuspecting nectar feeder.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/K8omI0awvpP-k1HrLx78Dlp2oXgzG4Uggu-11Ld6Zw-ZOvCaFO-_zfaxbA5RR7xeKffv_sp41aKbYSUR053_6q1tJN4JEclat3qxqTg7e9s7lDqPs3o-GeL5fSZDPPTWQqTrdojs8-Q=w1920-h1080)

An example with a couple of extra petals.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/T9q0YJ1i00SWQj-imAk1oUGOkLVTwqsz_cTG8Rj01UMVjcpNWH91RKhXKCSVA_NoeJgDAhasHAcTR189ryWWn7XLmGFp1qVLI7-NbMv649_8bl_oLReX229hlQGwiOG7krIxpK8bFuM=w1920-h1080)

Stylidium debile also in stealth mode

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9ZDYECbjYgORfYqDa9WvdIpeOIPtBOwUiRGS-kjApKjuoy4eH2ilX_QT1h5KD_sqmIkKsriITXRqL_N95YMTMHNSOp97Vnn4ntl7cmY3gmxem9DykrZMFQ0-IQ_U0m7rvzmFov5og1o=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 07, 2021, 11:01:31 AM
This little lady was quite active in amongst some Sarracenia this morning. Going by those markings I think I'll keep my hands away from her. I believe she's a Noble False Widow - Steatoda nobilis

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jiQ_8wVu2a620zytSplRvl069fcXBxQxin6rY07wd8xEqEp3LeIF0lhuJ3wEcVqobucJxDYUZBHtrp4OGQPeyHR0qpXQrQixbcSf1_s3pG9a6ktFNK97EfxFQTid3HlF_VI2on778lc=w1920-h1080)

Lovely eyes though
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 09, 2021, 02:33:13 PM
Still going strong.

Drosera regia

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XBSjElDOBjNl56U3cR2Y3Gp7Fo6MekpBnBwP3IWWcYaHDlEN9qa1uiUdrM8DTrgwsl0yltOkfzsAH4I4jqnSp5v60uvy-6yVgEcLoNZWE9BNuoOFFKj3HDlwRo4rMfQYpqtTCPBVq9s=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rdEt2oc14E16UrImyECNV0bob76bdUc6RBQG0u_GOsFlas99ZLPOmHA67Nci_enxOKMXXB5d8LdaBKIW0gfL8FhUXPHUoWqXUjgslG_GyZ-QO8XPHoCgvgymdNFx5LoFkhwUHeSp9J0=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 18, 2021, 11:08:56 PM
Last weekend saw the first of this year's Lithops flowers.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/M5Bn7r53LTgxTr9rB-vbmxB3gpwNwYqUAeAauOZDR_O1h69bo8ThcDu4feVZSUNd_oDoiyV76JiGSYyr_q86SQJ6WBoF6A0F0qIyzndreZg3vwc_GNkKYeSy4p7eovreybOIu2YFBkk=w1920-h1080)

Plus enough sun to get the Delosperma opening too.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hazLM3KyXtJuZPFREQefzQWmMnOESNG_kYr-ztaXwH8c3B9UnRx4bcEXGkUtRYtEle4NLxJcxQGSgKIQ7ph55AED6fDOMeAGcuagOTeTGAkTViXwLq1q4aqAnUoJ4TxVn1b2BZoBkak=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 21, 2021, 11:28:25 AM
The sunflowers from the bird seed are starting to open. The Hoverflies are around in abundance.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7W0y3RIH9WzZEZwR_jtGBlu7m5COnS8z7ujCZ0liijAm3Hc2Fb97AAxJ19nfgf-vFleujD2KHBcpUDVwTt7RYlvmTsdNCx-Q2RaIN_NLAWMktlSJuUCeXYyPwwVHchOoOAiNo_juk5I=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KrPU-k9OyuhJQsZmb5MQX7RzNcKKGeO07UzPgKeQjRc5MU5Cl-Lub5TlXtQjINKkJ3j4q4gfV8RLI_pCnsoqhkTEBIgB9nvk6CULUclYFYInAuKZ8M592dUuncWFXugmjk70nxwasvw=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ywF7ptojluUukGA8QDQN7xyzMMceBjPy_ZJgomSzVJkXOsNrw1H47rsRoU48dyIpOAkdi8BaMGlJxr82NfiulnJEch-ZDHP8q2RY1qBVL1KGSWyNXAHBfuilXfpJNO_TOXyuD8rw35c=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 23, 2021, 02:47:53 PM
A few more sunflower visitors this morning. The best of the photos.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Hmkl14sHdIFJ38jf3PL3LDDpMZTpJWQZiPKQiXlN5Kp3_HUaLxPR0trA416to1LfI53IYQrMcxJQPvEsgUhfhEyMmG_mcmuSxKC5u3wms9lcxWT4oSn7mAMYuj-HyHwcsxYGluvF7r0=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BPowmcju6yR1cDDqZg55A6WowOmQSelHpWubA39SpxFoRTnJ6NKMlpVBn2sBNT4e1-GR3pzc38FicwC5_74vKBdHBvNCTiZ8m9kaR7jQSrdh_5qlkzOkgFB3egeUPf5I3OsKZ6iSa8w=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_agtQv5MqZ2fFi9bKfksC3bB0urG2x_l5uiL6toAsJlZKHinRsnGLW38u3SDbYdkIK1IP0LlO7_gOgM5EPuhBaJVYn08VviBMqtFVW-alwkWcioQZ6aAwR9vdfwKKNveXOoPmXPoB0w=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/abebRvYpE7Ta0_D_863q4mihmRcC3yT9PzjrTWZInkfx9h6BTdVDD3pNE59aPKyM_0JDtK9PNMWsdAMLzCCUsg_LSsaGzjUePDr84qF1fK1U2lSdnYsSH1jwyzyCTHHK1zHRH1UtVAM=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on August 23, 2021, 05:48:13 PM
A few more sunflower visitors this morning. The best of the photos.
Those wearing full fur coats in this weather may be feeling a tad hot, don't  you think?!   And that is one  of the  fattest  hoverflies I've  ever  seen - terrific pix!   ;D :D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 23, 2021, 07:22:42 PM
I believe the big guy is Myathropa florea Maggi. He was bigger than a couple of the bees. The comparison with the size of the stamens is a good guide.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ashley on August 24, 2021, 12:52:40 PM
Great photos Fred 8)
Recently I noticed a strikingly big hoverfly very like this one although dead in a web in the greenhouse.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 24, 2021, 08:25:39 PM
That's the thing with these spiders Ashley, they're not that houseproud.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0jT_V_cyenlTPDigRUbfy0jr6i10UjPR4Z_6xHTc6GaIUtW_iecxIATeEeL82zglxmf0m8SJPL8ZZHOb8LxhLJxhH2J5ctgHJTL2__UiuJm9mh3dWdQar_ThmrFcj795YwPVstcYNc0=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 25, 2021, 11:10:09 AM
Where this plant came from or what it is is a mystery. The Leaf Cutter Bees love it so it stays. They used to prefer Daphne but this one is the favourite this year.
The annoying thing is I never saw a single bee on the plant.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d9JWnwJeIvgxyXO3GXhVNvBFKG7eyXkmIhSeOPI4ubONlS6pRQs7ORDW4ay2RVew49quvwnaB3ceYwtQeBBSx2Gggg0hK775CFZToPuzhh6IRH5ktSjH2veGks4gWpRLExYTkefOJj0=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Gail on August 25, 2021, 07:17:37 PM
I've had leaf cutters on my daphne for the first time this year, and peonies too. But likewise never see them at it...
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 25, 2021, 08:18:28 PM
Another couple of pollinators on the sunflowers.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EG96xcGL9jEMpOlEOQoHrkcXwrgjz0i2FCFRw3_yXR38F2pX962geir9e_4dxM3sKvDvagbskFUYHyI04jvCcnPnKORqc5x21-lS12QjeWOO2_qo3vi-6PDV9iREBtfQ5j3N-O5zmOo=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tFeT7BJTRc1pywSSdMY6PnRi3cB6ZOTFN_zkFPO7sM9RVXeCfStGJNFrJIwB4JZkfmA8nDvJWMXyqUXoG6uAxRk8ky0isQgCA-BXZhh3BRCxqVBZ-Qfl7VPeFuGEBGedtS0loLA6Qhw=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 28, 2021, 12:02:26 PM
Sometimes you just have to try to grab an image.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uw3iLhyeIpEPoRJC4BWj-bmTt0Y0RNlucOvNZ20NPDap6rz9NZt4I1nn08OcFJ-I4rDN18sLLzBXQ9nzlIKBQ40fE6Z5Q5IJ9N90NGWbcRuRLfXI-A11jXkLpOtIhnYO7pU8HHSj5bg=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LMKFEx-KHjSzD95f6dyNvZ_ivFy0QjokY4m9wrj7dEBuV1w4Ufg6jBBxDdAhjR4iAnl_1z9lD4NAQl0HefFu3UQEfGhGndqQ9Amy9szJmxo5isW9u1QO7tk1rkDPOMi8INhotsYFK2Q=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 29, 2021, 04:57:03 PM
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mEj_uCTp2eODAmSgJ6AfeurkdNKQxPARzpdDYj3lyNawCmNhAu3aTY_2REEHZAAOrEckInMxVIOx0qTfDrigWBsvV_ax5jbjtFfUSM1yG5grXsBiz4fA4i_kazmNKXoOM84ZdlNV3tM=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Gail on August 29, 2021, 05:03:07 PM
That's a brilliant shot Fred. He is delightfully furry!
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 29, 2021, 06:37:59 PM
TY Gail.

I'd just like to point out that I'm using an old Fujifilm FinePix S1730 bridge camera on these pollinator photos. No need for expensive ( and relatively heavy) camera equipment for this kind of photography.
These photos are all taken handheld and above my head.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 04, 2021, 02:21:17 PM
And every one's a fluffy one.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sZuXLhvBcP1FrbEVzaElmpIXM8h3kM5boM4gjZKjSC_fphyY79Vpc88qI7M-YRJAhGnlxntCLwQM-S-P9kCUSSPYN4-c7EBvYaBkM8Hfz72VFRYuAeiNezD9RAHwLMtaO9P2LuwhXNA=w1920-h1080)

Length 12mm
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 05, 2021, 07:04:02 PM
I wanted to show the change in colour of the petals as the flowers on this Delosperma mature. I did manage to get the different colours but the insect kept photo bombing. No idea (so far) what the insect is but with those antennae it's not a Hoverfly.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/X9l4WkRHbOxLEyK5HT0KcCGCwHIPkr8sh8PwHEYsGqb7H2bxNLtFrXEIxvvuok1f12J2Surwx-Jdrg9Iw3MSSih-CRuaVbl2oKywxdPKyG3_UHVp2_lGJcYYdwRWKzS0bXl_lDBr4NE=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xlICJ5tTt-PJ1uoTCYdpX6Y7P3jxY9aatZcQejZYspx1VyUXVLFq97seFhD-xKcY_7J4pSYSZbqBacg3GMPX69ZkQNJRpRAXphp2GwwuhZJpTbTh8cRUXX94Lt86He2oIkrIM8YUf_Y=w1920-h1080)

This is a Hoverfly.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rE35i4BMatYsThpuMpN19B7D_lWymLHO4DhcUujCBx0r7y1YictiA3Sc8EsvcZs43Gvfz-X2Je_9M2CKqFgrRJESZ2M1JnY8d28_dS7B1fFGHe6uz7nINQJkkDEvHlwzL1zk-fxoCT8=w1920-h1080)

It happily had a wash and brush up on the back of my left hand.
Ergo the photo is taken one handed
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ashley on September 05, 2021, 08:17:33 PM
... the insect kept photo bombing. No idea (so far) what the insect is but with those antennae it's not a Hoverfly.

It looks like a solitary bee but I've no idea which.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 06, 2021, 07:26:24 AM
The closest I can get is one of the carpenter bees
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 06, 2021, 10:03:14 AM
The closest I can get is one of the carpenter bees
Karen or Richard? ;D
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 06, 2021, 03:26:02 PM
Karen or Richard? ;D
cheers
fermi

For all we know, it's going to take some time from this moment on (as) we've only just begun.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 07, 2021, 03:23:50 AM
For all we know, it's going to take some time from this moment on (as) we've only just begun.
;D ;D ;D
cheers
fermi
PS thank goodness we didn't decide they were Bee Gees!
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 08, 2021, 07:54:40 AM
This is the one that got away. It's a male Araneus shortly after mating ( repeatedly). The female was very compliant and actually met him half way on the web several times. Unfortunately the light wasn't good enough to capture the sequence on camera.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Es7wWG85WN-VDa9lhoh5BW-2NBDeW9f_dMI-5FNM7C5wQl3QQtQCpgSTwrR0JEHrhYo_4EzdxwWyuqs3yKq700Hu9fYXcT0E1awEVVarh8QyojrfGMAEiYbJjQUEaXP2E_Coorg_f6c=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 08, 2021, 10:40:19 AM
This morning, I managed to get the camera on the impregnated female from last night.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_d6-OxvpVHevi952Pijh2hfRY6-WG_8tE67aiP0vSP76QOqi5SnydhB7hmzpCgDCqEpu4W9he88n4myECx-YNGEvoOBZEXbP_wk2sZu3CNBW5idfajj8LGFz7ciNY_oO4E2z6utv4e8=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tguAo6SSriTwN_HTDzisLXWnX4r1f8v5dbQ2tnBhNL0RfhEW5Q425gbLLk33GvjrW-LCC0VhJHfqQMFdo9gHx5ViJeyjCGPSxx6ojEuRPB6Qfd94fsGNKD3F4g3gpV6tQ_LhbxLu9ro=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 08, 2021, 03:13:04 PM
This plant arrived in a job lot I purchased a couple of years ago. Today it presented me with this.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/t1aZNMdZY-e-aq-r8wf4zhQIpVWJFvgnHLG8xVyyMuQLiZiHfcbMsnPYxLp09YIv2IqlPQY8M9n6Lj6DjHA5-j-Y1KyNdm_vUQ3WrI68feqy4Tu1N6k8NIF8cWweUv385RbKF9ATQpU=w1920-h1080)

I have it labelled as Frithia pulchra v. minima as it's somewhat smaller than the species.
The whole plant is about 1" square so in reality it looks more like this.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/24fLIxuRGyxRihVhZbOej3zIvWSdqo8ojd33T2pKsjHAI5SVAw9UzAaYYJlC9elKDZkhOqOVoDs2GUj_aHnpHH3JSjST5WsT4quP0sQ6UeOO2-PjV8s46I0IipALRDLyufae3JzCFMQ=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on September 08, 2021, 03:27:01 PM
This plant arrived in a job lot I purchased a couple of years ago. Today it presented me with this.
I have it labelled as Frithia pulchra v. minima as it's somewhat smaller than the species.
The whole plant is about 1" square so in reality it looks more like this


Cute little critter!  Love the  deep pink outers. 
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 09, 2021, 08:14:35 PM
A cute little Hoverfly on a Delosperma flower. Length 8 - 10 m.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_HeLI_fCCXOpbscvl26qcna6yClBQHqsDs0Y6yiEU4GdIYY74iVrnL21chyxKXjXG-5M4_oKGAH7B5eu18leUQRtJR4Om4KaZ_TA7xG7OxQ5oXN7Qr7t-A-xYXxXhAudhy3be2ewJJk=w1920-h1080)

Sphaerophoria sp.?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 09, 2021, 08:25:25 PM
A larger image of the Frithia for Maggi.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2mCfCKIjcQL5FlKDUCFOyiZhaFnhNhsB8vvUwGgrdqH8yZrHPlpjekZQ0EBoJACOOIFMnOqYJfNvSYAz8zWG4cF7_UB3c9RMqy64mWR2yEBC9_ErR-qcHoze7AMoa4Lh-43chpeFtNQ=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on September 10, 2021, 01:07:01 PM
A larger image of the Frithia for Maggi.
Thanks Fred, it's  lovely!Fascinating surface  on the leaves, too.  Like a cat's tongue.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 10, 2021, 07:11:03 PM
I found this on a sunflower leaf. Anyone care to ID?

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7h_I3ij_hi4kUde_ZkNTdtN8siEMloqkXRVsJPuRFcEX_6PmdFyhvI_FBgdWD5FXB-gI4GK46r59Taj5Z8P70Oo0WxOLl8mH1f5Zl6QB7-jbA5GbEcZs_KAdKOCv5LFyS1rS3brRKiE=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on September 10, 2021, 07:13:56 PM
I found this on a sunflower leaf. Anyone care to ID?

Don't know- but  you'd think the  answer would  be  transparent, wouldn't  you?!!   ;D :D ;) ::)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 10, 2021, 07:16:28 PM
Oh my, I don't know whether to larva cry. 🥳

Edit; I do know the answer now but have a go anyway 😀👍
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on September 10, 2021, 08:12:12 PM
My knowledge of such things is woefully small - guess is an aphid-eating predator  of  some  sort?
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 10, 2021, 08:18:33 PM
Good guess Maggi 👍
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 11, 2021, 09:40:33 AM
OK time up, Maggi wins. It's a Hoverfly larva 👍
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on September 11, 2021, 10:37:18 AM
OK time up, Maggi wins. It's a Hoverfly larva 👍
Whoohoo! I won -  Pity I was the only entrant!!  I decided it didn't look like it ate  plants, so that left bug-eating, and seems that's right. A triumph for elimination of possibilities - thanks for the  brain teaser, Fred!
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 11, 2021, 11:52:08 AM
A different view of one of the larger Hoverflies.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6SXr3gb8iQoPPrAy4ONRg1Y0Na-H8vR2GpLazonlJb5LahULJlfMuBBQT94zXvmjIasI1zB96Px9mdnGcE4bPqcoKn7PqFxxCdx-DzjaWzpMdquh8rpUO4OlcHcfCQQiymHLF9Bd2X4=w1920-h1080)

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 13, 2021, 02:41:19 PM
Some Hoverflies don't care how close the camera gets. The only problem then is keeping the hands still enough.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/C1dOcLsouYmpwfb_VIA720QgXRIKqPKm6RRXvtQq4WQ-MW38jNsvN6BK9uQEmCa1Z7T3w2O9WxY4fIqKwTPcwFFmSYwM13fhIgq3je71vHTXbei3Kw-mL4_TYHrF1TXooswpLOvaI6c=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fl7OkBu9PpCrjh6tgOAeDRUqyeGjRROpeuKjMWHsLs8YzV7mcr8j5c7uxVrivwYy3H3tAN1_Q7i2dRnR-OWFO54GnPR6w_bPW7jtxVrdour2T6z29xPzF7-RXpvqcUxGeqmYKd5NqT4=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 13, 2021, 03:40:36 PM
C. praesectum, the first of the Conophytum to flower this year. Used to be an Ophthalmophyllum

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jBeh_Zvcniv-2z25qqb8N-9Vj583Xiez-eeloLyNWSEkWOGkVtUZNv3DDA0mnlwVnKGrfTVcDhAZK6OSVqEjQi1WaDiiu7xN9JS0nHN75DeT9lzNXMJb-9wM0-cZlVizt3yjoz89FgU=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 13, 2021, 07:37:07 PM
A pink flower for a change 😀😀😀

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/u5MamIIgbtM3nPlRrzLzIlCfJTf_ewdSTg0XaBTIZbUP6810vPiKh0hwXGMNepPPTb-v2YcHK1MCZ68SVUmZ2aEPmQErz1leKCCWzH4AesHuh7o8vR_7Y7Ir7Z0vl-Ud5fw5iZFPL6I=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 15, 2021, 02:28:58 PM
A touch of sunshine and woohoo!

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JwpYUKVgKfKY6LbR6MqDNiWEJzJyDVYxwRYOJoHdiqRBAYPvvcAHB4jUkrc5UZBN_Gtu-BvRZVaSXlUmEpWuB09D8o5Oq0yQ1_xtTDpESKnEWgp5JsVg7npfzebwfLvGGUC8LFS82Z8=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 15, 2021, 07:26:58 PM
Same plant, different lighting.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bNNIbLL9KFBg24XHT0X0yTi33SloKI5FIAbl1AGtabzvmAvVS5TBCTxCMUHxJ-zByBLiSrRVHek6PpSsH8Ps0XxoRzLn_oPEUiy70XT4UuMf9eBo8hWsrE3OgmIbfecU_WR_ZfKrfLY=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 16, 2021, 05:16:35 PM
Some lucky shots you can't not publish.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mluzUFgYo2iEhVNGf4mAGwD7n4tR7R9igh2l-xVzcIDYI1NNDW3jIjpYjGFFzaqHabGXTOWGL5LSpUNIN4k1wrojStb36bi_IDg9FeOLT8NXpstzpwAcw2HfXGvRHA7KBzfjkyKalFc=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 17, 2021, 11:55:55 AM
This little lady ( 10mm body length) has a web that stretches over 6ft between a Toadflax and a Phlox.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1rGJIbiD-coNkpVlwULeHJNJ6GUw_QCIxUU2Sc-UF0wVRHdMNOkje1KSyT9BQhT5_kK7r-tIIy-OE-hEgDeAR-Klvs7ZXGTwzJIeW2sM95rAzxTzULmxkXHfLkZ1b1yE8OC61W4tSzs=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 18, 2021, 11:05:05 AM
A short sequence demonstrating the initial preparation of Carnivorous Plant fertiliser.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PUaknzJgmKyMh7fmUf5HzdA1bcuoJBlDNxJghODiyYhIfoh2JKPr_DnCotlpzmuoMNI3dXu7WW7RevRQWQEDXEZuLKk24g7tcTGab6OHUySxvstIBt9hb6jMgYtahQpkr6hulvQkGh4=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cudgydkzJECuTcqe7H42jmHUSgd-GTEH7FW0VFmZ9yuM0EF16SZPq9-RcaNCfYqSXqierf-o0DiuvHTiDqM8NCPzu-khsTJ6iVHlkBGsbng0-q4NSXv_B13tFaVKwx36xRfqxZ_OHMU=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KHvJH6xDrWpATDONPrmliCpjZr3JGfHv3gcbQ5W65eKcnoBI20ci3RZ91IgqjGF1gfLj_sKPn-LL-7OVtT4iPQO3ut8HUQmi4bwnpo_k6jJVTJGebIiFowlV1bD7NaQzAwYXilbb2HY=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 18, 2021, 04:01:56 PM
This is my new friend. She didn't mind the lens being very very close.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p23jNcmog9aAUjsMtu5cAkNlg2Lnt7yu7eIiRuhOVXi-8vlXfvoKOu0lOz_ewStKghSyg7fU2IdhLZxW4pbfipHGOpZH2BJhJ4lD7piDY22QLkxPejXhUh_JsPnuma9FFL-0JCC6F6A=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/C1ZTIatAJ2GCiGoAUNbDllPpXSN2U2aA2bnROZS_FB0DRZFexdeSfp2XDqK39rPyZ5Jh9IRmnM0DCmOMLQNydFWVGSFyMIAdJT5aNVucjhteUYHCMQPw5BLoz5rTuma_LoaEE8YS_30=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 19, 2021, 11:35:58 AM
Yet another species of Hoverfly.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/B_-VaVJhNbazePZza5E_JY95228j0BSrbVPAT8x2G7ND7Gv605gWfggI8WDxCXSTKag2cymImwuCFFSMTrlCc4QUVKzw9CKp6L777v7IZscy-d2nI-c-P_u4wacjWahCLJxQiHA1CK0=w1920-h1080)

And another. 😮😮

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4CO9zPkicLjTBiVbzE8Polu00bLnXt0FzOjQwbHLVMp-ahr3rfzXbpso34mElqirxjSqG0SWxW5ThGWQKTVYwkhujQ4IhJqou19f5eJ0zmFEZ2HGDY-WJ4xL3aLiBSK4yI7EKGvSja0=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 19, 2021, 02:57:09 PM
More of my boring macros 😇

This is so crisp I had to post.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mZdPWiSnhk7_F4OlaPpgQEa_6Ca9n0iCcFFvHhROPnue0vk1KiTcbFwBDeRKuC4jvzRGQkdFGBSZsldqfgYVLeVrwVO1vWwpz9OYBWGYztlbQ8Wbju9l6W9fK2mO-IR0XmYRFeEEPU8=w1920-h1080)

The business bits in a nasturtium. 60's psychedelic poster art

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VrZQHs27MkHaFNjPVfxaNQH8zsjdV9bfF8h_5NFwIU5rGrJ8wnxzTCZw-Vtdgls1YLd44r_3NG8XtkV9fJ1kRFG7OvTymuo8YQrSvY8-OOTefupcTk_k4YXOe0iOArhMiOGjE1bsHKo=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 19, 2021, 04:56:59 PM
I've seen a few Emmelina argoteles around lately, all unwilling to pose. This one was resting on the greenhouse glass so I got a chance to take the photo.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TWft3c2sOKae2Rn8ODsoXKKuy7Jkh01pZuIhJYBCwwMfSoHSP_zIG_yElAImcono82U1GKlvCav1rhwfNiERwyeYeRnFaBRxPIsN6qLpkpszxSRZPYeBjwsWMNspHdkribRyR0it92o=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 20, 2021, 02:37:00 PM
Finally enough sun to open the flowers of Conophytum pillansii.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zeI_zOWSh2JQQ-uSbYGCA3lOT1ZRaBSbhJpsYJMkDl4LX5dMAAMIZBNRArOPDG9aFjJ7d9N7EL-SfKJZb8EgufdBDlBk3O-IhXth17WEBeFYWY-uB1FMUH3DCxJAJACS3iCdyzvZrqo=w1920-h1080)

This Conophytum tantillum ssp. eenkokerense has sneaked out a quick one. I hadn't noticed it had budded.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BJ9I3_EpRrakrgHgHb2b-iCCm7_aFimr0aYMjpP8UYEgHcf0neFV_H1JMe-9CS1CDQj09V-UROst24cM2ZOwTHCrbBpkzLt5FrCUzHRSfHlYsP8Hd5Xlg2CvLMwH0aaM0UHYk8uxxZI=w1920-h1080)

The little Frithia pulchra v. minima is still happily opening its flower which is still in excellent condition.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/buFQrEYjwagwd8vgySIqeWcIujSVOlz9CoCEyEY1PsQnjpAtyX-Mg_QkeoVuQSjPOq4VtskGpuHcvtH663nAXSE2grgEpNVKT93I00KGctFthAzaZqDSxojYtWyFCgaEX6kdR83Vb9Q=w1920-h1080)

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 21, 2021, 03:57:05 PM
The "Carpenter Bee" returned. Any advance?

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1bUjk6NFIWohghqZL3Tgp1xGKrtv664L0TlF50Ar15q1YvyePBu_P6-SIE7t2sQEzwUOzMcsDJ-2fADNcx3dBJm1ybmZ8e7yGoUg8L5POG-bw54IujIc_qXG7h8rrIAmh66jQiYkXQ0=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/m8icBYD1V_oYHPLHN6dXvtC0_igkLCFLu3Owng7Eve0jypHvX3lv53P4gqgFRO4AeDUC2rQB-N1bV4cpmV0jBN6muBEQ8ZhzTe7r5gokUWtrvl8Hp0O0j8yP7GzxCpUukHM5GRgadcY=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 21, 2021, 07:38:03 PM
A couple of Helophilus sp. visited today and allowed me to take photos.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CoDqnEoTfOe5T8EnTDkztTmWWrBv8A7KqXxn1yQG_ORcVwazJKXPSGMekvIySxhCfG3my1NlczKZiRK6S3Z5Qrq9dI3zNLNMBPoNzr3-G5LShljLwK9OzbdFeTo7Jynb-feYrcaVaH8=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FmLRoOmUE_WMqRKhHTL0S-LQXAqfarHk8RPdGem0MJaoayjiy-r8A5EaBQlrL-nWgLuA4mHOFQ7mBSzgo4iNOgBeBfbvDgISCgCfTOYOxilcTBHeFqQgYb0y-Dej7zKcchxgo9_aEGI=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5I4Yh_EaAEWsOO5uPLRV_ncu_UB2q-hhoPnfeE2jyfSn5kQ0A1jCQpI3WGqzr-3W62h2ze26-2JaQBjpttpa7ku3J2FtqUlt51kD7IbaK5L9C0jvVrKduMgWs-j-pIHM3df49C1asbs=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KsQayx3cro4CjMwFGOVypFygNBoZjzq8xcRterXwevcrUtK2F6nXvgcYfS-iT-sO9DwgJhPNQO1vzAtHvuE6PfJRRwdhHoGt5Wg5IUw6LHWdjpOrzgTLjnG9j6-TjSKedcp7kLQqW6o=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 22, 2021, 08:22:43 PM
I was hoping that the Helophilus would return today so that I could get a positive ID using the facial stripe. I kept checking but no luck. To pass the time I took just a few photos of the Hoverflies that did visit. Here's a sample of a couple with quite a difference in size.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XLvGKIwQckMenFBmAsx_QztkwEl9LRuSkFhW0MbQLEddFGaOysQYM6uLeHrGEmX2G28xIVOTTFh9hbdM5rQlpgkPhLQ0sxP1QiRRBclIn-pxBlCzAmWRqIN5JjUPcyXYxdLqItLIR44=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/s6MOtdesCrx_DxObGrVuSoDjp5qx-3evrpRh0rNsh4t2CDWbtCjbqGzbhpt5zAWEcUGXKggEncWKb065x9jAoSIqpb6uPabVnkdLEbfMgZCKezuxJ-C4R52A8tn76wdSUD2vOzkLYgY=w1920-h1080)


Yesterday an Araneus had built her web across the middle of the bottom greenhouse. I was glad to discover this morning that she'd ]moved on overnight. She now has a web on the outside of the same greenhouse connected to the hedge. she's a little camera shy but I managed to catch her in retreat.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/b8ar_n9i6VKpoBozj44hw1ak2aHuuCuHB_fbFYXCIvlhEInkKd_V65p2vZ2VsApdQ42KRnVHoPnX6LsfClS56uTaFFlJ76FV2W8Ug1bI9woU0dmBOxhG94rJIfVUzzil6Kd9y33A91s=w1920-h1080)

Later on I tried again and she sat.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/57J_QjCqGSd5Yk8O15G_Lc4VagJ-wahl43Gj6q0u8_--x3IP3PbBOycA9hFNd1WuHLFLQgsPO5IM9Q6wxW_P27GXxCVABuPn_MU6vDPql1Q09_jxrnNg24EFivehE6anqyTLEDm1uJI=w1920-h1080)

As soon as the shutter closed she was off again to the safety of the hedge 🙄

Meanwhile in the greenhouse, this Conophytum was continuing its display.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/UYvXmlrecgg8evc8c7lX-HpeJWvAIkq3s1Pnn6SEgQrSYFiesheUcKgm6P-89RWBjOCEG2-oUs-O9f_FcKJRlOl_W949pvuKePSb7CtN2y50qGZsRF03tgKAUxECZT_3BlWI0x7J0vk=w1920-h1080)



Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 23, 2021, 02:47:09 PM
It would seem that Thursday is washing day.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OrUM4vrulWFIssRpsQ3-tqbDZ5-cggla5sCD7fa1Rxfb6ur43E9_3Cqq79fkeHcH97OA2LyE-n-2b1CbJtBSU-ALZ0aRYUaVqDqWRFSTN_kIFZFmttTTVLya-JN4rIlBb_KtFf8p3Tg=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Uz0FRQIRrIRA82oN5RuO-cpP25SpZxJcALM2CNwqiz2p_UH2No0MRYs52OzqrQnbz5cvlpsIdJe3fs3Pi9cGdXmDJdq_rErIXflqxOoaY_r9ogOLLKOzK0ODd_lnoS_eRNP2IcXUcZo=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 23, 2021, 07:05:41 PM
My two Conophytum longum are still opening new flowers.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/q86s3hgp-RxDJEa_XOEl1-gw-VjajDhpniHc-bj8zlyf5ec7UYnDwm8G92fM_dL1S3JSYq999qz7lPFzERmYERZ_a-Nje9Fr4hu9qWIJCqYHl4Q0cPSnHXe1etEw8oYb-yEX8eUV2rA=w1920-h1080)

There's even more still to open on this one.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/UQmMknaXRO-5jJaupNjs38GQVyJcEOj8Y-MF-gBgle-EHOYd7BoqRQONGoWFcg3yVwE1yKApvpnq4cM2j-S8JSB7ZdK7beHJViz8XaV72_glAGJWCBqFngfpoRp-B9UWaDbNcxbPCNE=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 24, 2021, 07:47:32 PM
Today's crop of new Conophytum flowers.

C. taylorianum v. ernianum

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Y0Mj9rMOEL2ikz_kmw9hCVoZAnxbejKspLDezu6jtP4CMMTKKtVU6vYPoHgRM-u_Kjvaksgg1Nl3yuCQg2vPQG2BSfQT5f_Gr8WfGUBY_Gla2K26zDb-jlHCiB38tIxK5CV7q7WEha4=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oA11eay79rnLvpF8euYiEUYE1NDCDaZTbOxY0ehckFW-6TGqc_FZ8EhCmU-PJTbFnh-2W5AcDim9oRivGquKul5qbZCedQPNpYXFH7phaIcAyQY4SWCUXbr3EACXbxmOwPMC-An3udk=w1920-h1080)

A first flowering of C. longum v. longitubum which apparently is the same as a standard C. longum except the locale it is found in. The flower should look much better tomorrow as it emerges further from the body.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SPgOuJhIuJSq24hC0RkNtV882B4Zftd7_Al-ehD0Vdis0TrpLAIoprvxaT6JvPrtRRkODkI9Qq8mTYjLNDe97JXy62KOXDXaBHO7bdLOiaIWgM154rv9Ud1MB7vg-PMzUF4nIpNdQ-E=w1920-h1080)

Finally another photo of the more pink C. longum with more flowers open.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YSfl5csL9xpYivWCKxdCZC7iqivL7ndWQeA4d0qqHuo0C8NMQGMYhEKy-iScPBmyhIoBvA_x4kthmC1BwmM1SyZk4byT6naAMDqsnhtpRjd9a_IBZB5iKWV7SHwDh8lkljRpxQaf374=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 26, 2021, 11:12:50 AM
I spotted this carapace shining on a stake and grabbed a couple of photos. I then tried to remove it from the stake to get a better look and naturally it dropped somewhere which wasn't my hand. The ID was simple though. It's a Rosemary Leaf Beetle -
Chrysolina americana a pest of rosemary, lavender, sage and thyme. As I only have one pot of lavender out of that selection, I'm wondering why it's here.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/R_wN-itl5FiVGM-2JbvUoVLeKpOsAeQGPNYbj-ySbIKuwRUSmek-9ou7IVlz3JgozLHQD5KgzwBs6-KSc98RQ7_a8emhqR3Bakx7SlSVMkcOA7f-HKkJ-uZB6zKuA1t1i1zIUK8iMVo=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FIHYfVG0Pgnr-aMhMxd9fn31pP-2ombzYGdFn0oyN9iQfB3B-2DyAFDESZR2QXVzd54ECAeWmNdV4tR3FtKD8ZW3O_C42BVwXWUTYhnVGMJumZPRhcyTETkJryh0t5hYdY5jYRP9_dw=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ArnoldT on September 26, 2021, 07:35:42 PM
An American living in UK!
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on September 26, 2021, 09:06:03 PM
Why not? You get Englishmen in NY according to Sting
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 04, 2021, 09:07:22 PM
I believe this is the first time I've photographed this species.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/AHXd6HF5x2WfRpjnLgArv-HLQKAxd3QHiOc8Ls-8JCFLIF_vshdmWJT9odxE5xyvDawcWzveEx1AvphMJvhULNnxaAywIaTu6K68O-U-O5-Wr9iZWrQJc6qbV7lXVBTHg71zUJym_sQ=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 06, 2021, 07:23:57 PM
I believe this is the Hawthorn Shieldbug - Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3TPUss3hIZ5DjeO8OopRSiXxMrkfqDVjl2UmZdCMR2lju-MmiCJGYpuGQamWGTdORxAK1e9GqyLjg6dl-9gBBcK__JzGGnW3AQP-CeAqFfk9ONrS4p2WGLGE69tH0p_vTZ113k0sGXw=w1920-h1080)

* Sits quietly awaiting the butt jokes
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 08, 2021, 06:37:59 PM
Found this Harlequin patrolling the mixed Delosperma pot. Starboard wing and wing cover missing. It looks like something just discovered that Ladybirds don't taste very good.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/odTT83esdPhFvM0PDLx5BNc3dK5ZxiakyusfF4NqgkbBa2DSDsf8lgIunfe6u-I1E7t0WL0IzAvG1MxrZypAtuEOWO02oLs8SxeFsuo6qkMEBlB0_9wv_lNTOF5mw6LeviYKLMsC5VQ=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 09, 2021, 07:21:25 PM
A day later and the Harlequin is where I put it. I think the photo shows why it stayed.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/UONuhBWJYqRFByLZBNOHCHWAU1YgaDJYF5iOBi5uT0Cc63XxLqgQPzs4brWjB40kKj7P6H36L6wBQmpxxyNWyaKtlkFQtUVhY-D-Y8s14a9pod-g9GrogsaBxbKuruF_fSHQETgkLA0=w1920-h1080)


A little group of Lithops providing some cheer.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/95ronaUOD1D7b9SQ1XfMUl5P70L-Vo_wiaA0D1Wc7BhtFUV6CIXzzI0GPgRjX6bcdylkxGd6EZ9DQb8UXLfcfE93PbcZkt6mBWBqmglfyPHdakEGiTfKvMeguT7HzIyZQrcs_n1TK98=w1920-h1080)


A Titanopsis calcarea bought as 'Bizarre' finally proves, as suspected, that it isn't.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5Pmez1HJXHo7w35YoiVhXlbTB9t8AbcXlsftR1EbTy7LNBQId7q8mLpb-1vTmgSuh4kiDnVIPBYZXcXMYp6Du6h-V3iPQ9_jwc9LnffbhGoTTAu4FxZpZqRwUPM9ibiabbOp-9Qv6dQ=w1920-h1080)


An old Pleiospilos nelii earning its keep.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Gjo7qXuCi9OfhO6yK70lS-mm4UI8ztvg2TkOzYm-hJFw6e9RuRqesWs8wIX8Y937hbTXy91ctr7GUKb4iNv2BAgrcPLUTUthFFW8WXYvWBDkdL713UV8gKzHUaYV40F18VP7Y5ffPtk=w1920-h1080)


The pot of mixed colour Delosperma has certainly been a plus this year. It looks good when the sun is out and has the bonus of attracting many Hoverfies.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3Ao2kKYQy8iG5uytHhlde9ht2c5p1-pVfJK-Id5op4NxN7_QYdayjSBic9hnxT5Jdj2oCJOoQKeKNgc3HaiNNQXAlsQz6MKZzslmK_CikeyAK_TsoX-ouZmToFxxg1MKsLFjBP8m7-k=w1920-h1080)


Finally, Stomatium suaveolens keeps opening the occasional flower in late evening.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1GKQSqBRHuhuUoUDMu7ko05p_1OEACvW870NoMny-9DNSMViD79iVg5t0Ja9uRp80ylg1C4r01Dnt41o58NFuVgJyXawd7LysOyU-lL9rmYw9o7r1Vhib0Bes5f65lfnY4S2ydWNplk=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 13, 2021, 07:07:44 PM
Conophytum verrucosum with the flower still held close to the body.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2xmOkyCyizasL_qok2iW6Ko4Bx0G1jl_Kk0FmHukRgXOL3C59k7uBOPd4tqSmIWrJ3tKL70Sbt9676kkT2DwAi3O1Ph0hxZR195devHxZV1Qkz4ViIHuU-5SAs0FEIBSXnpOAZ0-mmc=w1920-h1080)

The night flowering Conophytum truncatum. Photo courtesy of a head torch.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ds-oawFkk54yVUA_F8BQxa7us-W7I-cb3MWhm7fJr4xjgOzJXu_uwTkDfHUtBivqeKgrW6TSHqAz-GHHs0UOWE-oSiJhVCYa34GBgl28VCWXHYYI3kQRWZNjzxnRCHJaDGgzjkofzY4=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oFM6An9a9gvC0epyKKJ2_QDyYwgXadc__w3HBfbRKe_8EqkazbxC4kIzRZgiD80Kd7KqZJQUTTHoZD-uQwpx586_oXsEuAZBmoXzxFZiol3jK075rVJSJbQySdH_9kd4BZJ1dBE-G30=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: johnw on October 14, 2021, 02:32:18 AM
Brilliantly grown Fred. Kudos to you.

johnw
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 14, 2021, 10:43:00 AM
TY John.

Meanwhile I've been up to other things.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xyGBGw4hBZgpKyx6SgTHY5r0okE41Lr1nNuCtKGuW3UGCrjSVLwzvAdZprsDzGeUq-YeyXpuptCriW6wg5ETJIklolQk9zySAD_OgY31vQ7hJ-bw7OgNSp501KSt5_P7AK3ZGT_7NFI=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZjeIvJgBrC-mEaCJn1fUCwLTuAEPP3_Fx9_0h9OVhcUERRoq20N31BpA2onL2pkypJT4QrePqpyT9OexkxwrAqg0NRhznOc9EN9x7xUJ35YiK9WVjIaJYNr7Z4KVBkX1QFO0ImipAFg=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cRjvBZaG4TClb2I_nHByeISyVGdRb4npY3WT1hfswEjJCOWIU876dSlGhiO58qY6_CYrhQHur_GwXHRBrDv2Kf00wwmdDI4JIjFHMxjOYrYEJ8PZnx60O-P2kQ9R7gapTei9mjSCEYg=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/54gJIQlC0jsK23Io43JQO2R6JwAN7e2ogAiEYw5xjVmplWTB-IdCXw9kksOBgxIk3dFQgaZlhrbMSH9SWexBmxtEMgcGkooCqgaCE3JhQYENeVwtpW9f1ndkireUZ9o10Aq9A11X1cg=w1920-h1080)

There's plenty more still to do 🙄
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 14, 2021, 06:27:10 PM
For most of this year I resisted tipping the pot of Conophyllum obcordellum v. rolfii into the bin. It didn't look too healthy at the start of the year and when it went into dormancy the old dry skin looked totally empty. Then the ugly duckling shed its skin and presented me with a swan. Now it's looking extremely healthy and promising the emergence of a flower. Well ok the plant may be a little on the small size ( app 1cm sq) but many good things come in small packages.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dwCztWgLdADmRUy3qiDJhz5DSp6ZJNqObFzdPDjHQeJFN-MCplN-3yE5Ef_RAu4RlVSFZKWnwfvQK40SsicM24JXYmO9ExkBGqQYYCWAVhnZgtB2Y2L52y3QsSO96xjXQOrRPVZY-nY=w1920-h1080)

Whilst looking at a Harlequin patrolling the plants MrsG spotted this little red dot scuttling down the stem of a Linaria. We eventually coaxed it off the plant onto my hand to grab a photo or two. Switching to macro and observing the screen I  realised it was a weevil. ( Yes it's that small).

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/irzfEOwxvq4-otUaCPSpm84PY4_Vf2oz9XIeOUPZ411GUXLDo9xZXIDUW6vRF7D9or2abzb8AylS78cT6yszI96xCRTTY-sPy7g-oKPOCWnYBxS0yE4krnrje0ud_jVa29ofIx6ZbsM=w1920-h1080)

For a size comparison here it is on a finger.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7q7snsA9w492BzTJM6i55Ia0Ops9X92QpeMmaUfpAw_m5MPeyyrLqYSAcGpsKdB-3AvGTzqpXzuflRd2bdKayWHimzxiRNT9FgkEE_W7TQzJz9TlLimJNApHmBXUM6VlNodaYPEPt60=w1920-h1080)

Then all the time I'm looking at the photos on the computer I can't help thinking "Clangers"

Apion frumentarium

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TV5d_DFkxifiFjNK5CJ62F54QDv7nZahsNXyjJnpbynqKlNlyjZGms8NZyDfjtqQVsUj7qA9N9us7Gkb9-_cOHVsLqC0wrpVkMclIz47Qgt5P-9szUxrx3yRfAE9Ls7So2XwxHQ2BWA=w1920-h1080)

Clangers

(https://nostalgiacentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/clangers7.jpg)

I can't say I've ever seen one of these before.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8zeFB9AJhFi-Q9Mnr3zEmxI9F5mUmtU_tjt8NiSNfIcZCtOMl4LWqpEISNz-FHs1HcXWp81_b0XMCK6mnG9dDJFWy1zD2iVBAFAk6Le_STHR5wDxaPO1T_4SJC16e47rxMb-LCjW9Lk=w1920-h1080)


Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Bart on October 14, 2021, 06:35:01 PM
 :) excellent!
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 15, 2021, 09:33:08 AM
Busy, busy

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EQ6nIIKvcHR7AFP2Pyn9dUP4hnTwMc9-X6l_tYYMFrYuak-dVMnsqj7kOAH1dIhGelrskDbYYQFSIN32W4re9sQVDOVYIMbG0Un1X_v-E61lIJq8Cq1BIubND2eBLdOQoMgHlEE4I98=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/D3juQ9F-Muov5gk-Y7tQbA3fNIN7uq8GX5X7lRaRcXNKxxwEyrMoYt3bxxUxqmr2cxlLLITepxICsD0VTqBC4ViWAM5yYhgCn0IOKO4g9GFtLmyxr4rkMY5YCOSbPmo4FCt0jSuX2Lw=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on October 15, 2021, 11:30:27 AM
Fred, have you any photos of the "stones" before you plant them? I'm wondering how much root system they have at that stage.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 15, 2021, 02:42:42 PM
Unfortunately I don't Maggi. I've finished repotting all the seedlings too.

Most were grown in 6cm pots and the roots reach the bottom. Hope that helps
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 15, 2021, 06:30:20 PM
These seem so happy together.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/j1IUQ7FV6uABaY9-2IAOnWotbCvV9bMEhLBIBUmi4kF0U2hmU7mnJKTBXoqgamqEImCVMAAqklvb7zMP36BK1wezKkksRI1OlO5ZkjR3NNl01-w-HWMCKLgVeUssruhhyZ-NEBIm0b8=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wyQjocZlqSLPxtoPyi6M0x5-J17g1dbP78-RQyCWdqMdFBVr7EnK8fXdyy6Nue89V3r-st1NrrwIyVoCP7JRJAk7qYwzPlNEnUs9saBKwvvs2tZ-zuTnYOvsLLAimLfWe6ndmsc5CnM=w1920-h1080)

So if you cross that last pair is this the result?

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/j2Kx2FupM1an6JM0Mq_MqNszQtBAdho3vQqGvGWBIesmaksEyesWqQJF7lgLjx9yX7US7PnX76kHo95TML11lXhl1oDNIqbxI3SaRWASDgqZM0lhW6YtEQKhfDpgLSdcPAvIUu3LWvk=w1920-h1080)

While we're on insects this one just ignored the camera in its face. If you're not into the insect the Delosperma is nice 😇

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SuXCsWlSIpPka_tqg6YAIQrUu-KWHT-TWa4hrUvyL__aGqintUgSHbdoIqXkmGskz3j-Eq3UEtg9wlHan0j2tRi2a85keB4myf9Rhsi3o8QB21_xrpedOmkYr9qSgO8omyVg3y9gNvg=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ByOnMccRowuJqx1SwMUqBLPWwcOSx3odEyQ7Uq1Hgob1xysNWTCtsbSOmBJJJgdO9jVBv5v4_-HbPuyR_j253V2CWIHlgqbYmsYiaPPQXnNi0kOlCg3O0tzXiAMwqlDhwindgRJwDUY=w1920-h1080)

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 17, 2021, 02:47:15 PM
Not every day you see this.
A L. bromfieldii demonstrating how much light is transmitted inside the plant's body for photosynthesis.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fiZ--mBt05yxINDxnyh01RhMYwqX69NO28v0_CglgViFZV2HlWmDo_N365sUzDs8r54mxp5dhJ6Ux4Kbp7olqQ0FO1Ee1XHHis_7TSIKtPX2wC5KZmRfvVsiSfBsByaqt1uilwV2auk=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/A5bP1uBAkRwh-rGHUgmrfHf7Aqbpb4EA98LL9Rwu2i9TpMupw4GuZ1H-Yopyj8O49zEZ84Xf1lN18gFmEQcAHsdRQNgt2i4JzHfjek7mbHl3dSRMfTowb-FiuVqkVRbw3xKnwOif2K4=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YcWTbc33pES7KbDEdWzgbUxozheN2Ut-YupeY0rEBkdceKVdsZPWjsYTIa0l86OqJqD8Smgzp-O2uLeWPvHGZNltdxsHDW0WCXDdW5LxfU-TwCvfQOGDfV_I2imHeGACCrMa8m9a2fU=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/UM0Mk58HB2MkI8jWyUgJYv2E0HKqg00A_ZEe0gRsQ9LyPU7bYD-Op3RjlYC-DWBXCEpHI7nAp_1bSj0ORCtvNSkAAMeXOKRmX8dKOwhTBkfWD_F_c0sngzvtKbn7aRJvny5kVChuu5M=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: johnw on October 17, 2021, 03:23:58 PM
Busy, busy[img width=750height=443]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EQ6nIIKvcHR7AFP2Pyn9dUP4hnTwMc9-X6l_tYYMFrYuak-dVMnsqj7kOAH1dIhGelrskDbYYQFSIN32W4re9sQVDOVYIMbG0Un1X_v-E61lIJq8Cq1BIubND2eBLdOQoMgHlEE4I98=w1920-h1080[/img]
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/D3juQ9F-Muov5gk-Y7tQbA3fNIN7uq8GX5X7lRaRcXNKxxwEyrMoYt3bxxUxqmr2cxlLLITepxICsD0VTqBC4ViWAM5yYhgCn0IOKO4g9GFtLmyxr4rkMY5YCOSbPmo4FCt0jSuX2Lw=w1920-h1080)

Fred  - What is your soil mix and how deep are the stone chips atop it?  Beautifully grown Mesembs!
johnw
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 17, 2021, 04:24:27 PM
Soil is JI3 with Tesco cat litter and sieved Horti grit.

The sieved grit on top is just a sprinkling.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 19, 2021, 07:29:02 PM
A couple of trays of Lithops from last year's mixed seed.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/06eYHlq1xsKVgno1KDiAWc11YJ8nBYs_xpUg4FwdzSwKn26FGwLkIYRC90cz3CS7fuLhqBWWHtpJtGAbPVWKbtDI84re8XHzIQNVxq2eT0n2-VnIZVyx8ocQ71Fb5L_TT0i2j_9f7Ek=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EmvPWuxrhgUHLva5DZuLL7NA01bo-wbZ-ToXWzSgM00KtCZ6Cqq7M-1uO7O0M7f_CR-jH28UMIQUVl-FEGs_4yHA3xIlmFpyzAHtg-64npDUCfwG3Zz2xO1zr91VGVXRp_fH2T6Ov58=w1920-h1080)

Three plants lost since repotting but overall I'm happy with the result.

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 22, 2021, 11:17:28 AM
Conophytum ectypum ssp. brownii during a brief sunny spell.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/e6kAHyc9IraGVUz7vco6NCgiSa0fsBZz128zOa1tkqkSU9G3DxJfsgbZVQMK5__AocduQ0YG8yjgoc00sXppmG8AHs3b8iHx43rsNp313jAv2hKop376JVcqpn1oM9mo7dDaomHgflI=w1920-h1080)

Apparently the yellow flower is rare in these.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 27, 2021, 09:24:27 PM
A few more flowers open but some are struggling to get enough sun.
Lithops karasmontana

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iFfXN1D0PnkdM-xM99aojRs1aJHDhoYofVUeg2UBDfiHjrQDRmogZYH0y75NzJ2c52_Sii5y5JCbG_m5j4rnXjqa9GnihVX2J_KHmr_jKmEm0Wz64Y29YjdbsM51Nd-dei5zGi5NPw=w1920-h1080)

Lithops terricolor

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/UxsqnXHm_LkhbOMXwxeWLEalIvcMLFQ9tn-ZK10wLVCsMd8rio30gOw2GA_zThjiOZGAY9RIn_Gxz7rC0ayrhYlDShuzcljx3IPWEf-n--VuLsJl5Gc4mqE9jaRXH8mV_otyFaTvwq4=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EBDCoYD1UdDFvffQwjI2sZxIE5guO0o0W2ibnEIL--gwswDkOVXupsnYSFIB-CZJ46UxTaQyDoHWXwGrNOqisshWJtWaNODigOYlEDq-Bl_GXoAuiy71sH-cSbzD7xXCwT_Agb8swus=w1920-h1080)

Faucaria paucidens

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GvRm7khFJ3NTRXmYI0lsV-yfMTIH83N6u_Xvs2hMw1_mFIpO6n8IRn6AxMAM9NU2Ew7yRLMoziKP7Z880a23nUU7HTFHJD7WgjJmABsyTYrJqbzXw_nVhMRe4N2iIjk3uZXYONvya3c=w1920-h1080)

Titanopsis calcarea

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CPHyAx6DTvo1-PqtEq9VU_gLD0AXjbq-XihNkoR68bOpS4uyZOuuy27eM7fjyLSazrKdGvdozkVnoCya6-M0SWL9CA4mclc6qsR-W7qk_Kwl8LmqWMI2BSEDhQzAwJChmiwA7R3sq34=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OL9G7H3-EyhMudpJqq2mfukbNTp2YmzQdbTksSVDhstxW0RtlN6p9nE74ueEuYAsN7LsMrIV30U8LNTKAM_a9vz12NDLmvD0KZvEYbTmCkapQWOTYR78A_wUF_6dom-O8A7OuGjaRfU=w1920-h1080)

Conophytum ectypum ssp. brownii

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iGNns7L6KQUqe2PCt0NJN5KE_jF7MLQXSqYuxcQJPtIeZiBQj64z_H20GPbUkB0A0IrCQfnt10mH7bzEfk0qUVFCx1rJpiuiyCy_dJAqNv76NITMSLfvJK98y2scd8kAjmlUbrOrEw4=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/STQpFDmHO4zss8krL32xPghd0UAQQ00Ui51kIuFTh78obgmT2h8Jx1jNxEmbX2_w5Wfr7Y-o2jZTh3PMbSIJo3X36LU7J9vf6wgMLI-80Sw1_sp0XKL_5TlFVaNHxbBZKgpNHRPlLzI=w1920-h1080)
Conophytum chauviniae
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Jeffnz on October 28, 2021, 12:23:05 AM
Excuse my ignorance but why is the a red coloration to the tops of some of the plants? 
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on October 28, 2021, 07:24:32 AM
If you are referring to the Lithops karasmontana, the ones with red markings are the cultivar Red Top or v. lateritia.

Quote
There are at least 37 species (new species continue to be discovered) and numerous varieties (145+) of Lithops

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on April 18, 2022, 09:36:45 AM
A couple of the mesembs showing flower promise. These plants are much hardier than often given credit for.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8r3Jl8_yORQ8jY1QRfFDMa_izWy4RovAvq0oaejJ0yKg_mQTEpCe7xYbErMIfpIW79bum1ZDbt8vzBfOI65c53CW5hv4NPOQgodS0Hyorm1V-yUOBL1mIH4G53dMa8Lg0fjOSK1zvgE=w1920-h1080)

Trichodiadema densum - The promise of triplets.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rbgZo-LikZVQ7PJN5vqxFJhRNXyka8UtfQIwZu51HUGsc8pbRzfwLJczJ19tk0dyKoh6Hq9rBW-xBR_M4AT_uj9qOmJHGFYWfdJf0lIW08Li4ydbCwE0c3kfc7FJ-gxPRcckKc7t1tk=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on April 19, 2022, 07:11:21 AM
A host of Pinguicula martinezii just to show I have open flowers too.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iJcMhd4pDdfcradUNcuAZhxLnqsfNFUf0qa1t_zJZwLvFo_v_cmX8zKVaERr7EVJWCq-tW_x5fvNxO4ANoUWt4SFj3gMhwLQgKq4rdvPQFDAREXWyzjv6fsXcWEFzzsHmn_qZw0m-Qk=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/25bCVHTX05m6pwCnWo_zuh5iC8K7jidE5ucBPHxjf-Pxjs_V8avbs5vl_zC3UlBIvrd1E5rCTzGxvyWeXNQ1dOZr_nCbwHHgqhwiPE2F3RkirR0qtKyTwQJoN5maICCrW-f7UJe_Lqk=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on April 19, 2022, 11:40:00 AM
A small group of nicely marked self seeded Dactylorhiza in a Hepatica tub. These are the weeds I never object to.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LRJ6h5JR-YcrUBQe6RpAXES2xHYjPiJfN4ib_RZRWgrWo1D2gfQjEtkFRiaDIIeDLUirc0yVL6PPksdOGSOVCcj5fef4YE1gbCTxZbJGr46cDWF09TsdRZ0A-ntn-aAZ7JgqskS0-XA=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: brianw on April 19, 2022, 07:01:46 PM
Hi Fred. I too get "Dacs" in other pots. I have 3 leaf variants at present. No spots, multiple solid spots and larger spots with holes in. I know I bought a named hybrid some years ago and around 1980 I rescued some dacs from a local industrial site before it was developed but what I am growing now is anyone's guess. They grow so easily if you leave them to their own decisions, as to where they want to grow. ;-) Must check to see if any white ones this year.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on April 20, 2022, 07:36:26 AM
These are self seeded in a Hosta tub Brian.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XhVkoYa5P9T9RoJbqY_Ab8VZUQ4TZq6WDnR82RV6VjY4bxD7-bgb1M-cMNXGeGUbB-4S8h_R4IiULEr83Pw7W0jyLGTD4T3yJt-SBL4VtKacrgZ2xorx1Orxhv3Qwe6g9OFIs1oXMNc=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DlQrEC2KZZoEoPPQyd-iOFPMhM0tgWda1IQuHTwcXsBrn5u1vDODy3WN_WyHdEtyreNZwBoBIZwkY5SFnY7Atp5MlSQkJOeJ3-TR5rpwPKe4Z7j_fccsaNhCXP4N8U9LArlPwgkExzU=w1920-h1080)

They certainly get around  :D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: brianw on April 22, 2022, 06:14:04 PM
They seem to like Hosta "pots". The 20 + I rescued from a neighbours pot last year seem to be doing well. Found 2 more today in a "Sax" pot when repotting. Thought at first they were lily seedlings.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on April 23, 2022, 03:17:13 PM
The first of the Pinguicula 'Zarniwoop' to fully open a flower this year.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/woS_DP15MBrvg11IioO0sMvi2XqNpA8OvG5fpoxHZw-xvodtZNERt8xiBfAj1mMdWiW9lweEGo1lRE9yzzEOwY0VxRwKqNJpGCYcx4ai0EkH43OaYqDxJL2DbWGe6D59EmoudyVEnCE=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rtntukmme80W2J13vJHJFYbaCB5Th1D7qWAcYT6DVXTthbIU-Xungf-1kmx__zpMZunYvVs0IxmM7R_-IHpwdhcXZAFNt4Fc-JIMXFF9fl6GVe1ionFuz_5tGHmGsXAZUTeTnYSFP7k=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on April 25, 2022, 12:12:22 PM
A close -up of Pinguicula martinezii showing that it's not just the leaves and stem that are sticky.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7l7giqN3N2-R2PaetRBUm2RIPo-BiL8l6PPhJ-xvmRwnnO29ume4BS35G6IN_Q-g9RLYT8M9Cp_8Nw53QdzfDg6hZOMhoMeGbVrl2zu7ebHmDzHQdySLFAfQn7psOpkd6CV0SNjgyIw=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on April 25, 2022, 07:24:46 PM
A few more photos of the carnivorous kind.

This is the reason that the middle greenhouse now contains essence of Felix.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6s0p9e3SlzuLj_VoABjg4fIylRC3HsYoPAYrv-zuuQfsF4WpILK5kU2DBc9-LCn2Hz-JfzFO2flHKSgQ65UUAAeN4JgYOG5pBfH_AcxcT_iormL3hudyqczbEhUAm_Z-rIT42G3d1lU=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PSi58VB62WwleUc9kYsaWpEfSqGKQVYvPCjMuCFSDkWDSL0VBeInw2yhgGb55MbdYBSxar3POPpXX95zxQbE3Cv5J27n7CPb1hAMinf0LzCzTPZOmxI98Oai-xpPuvjQS6tYmicSOBs=w1920-h1080)

The Darlingtonia are not to be outshone.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uyqBEcoRfPHiQvVYSH-T-XQRujZIWYXghjdTTT-OJZQnTwuBrokWvXtCRgG0klcQLIY5ygIfabE4EkDnxb6qgsYKqBXgNuHDJdqa3hkwSNitAtwt-l8YKE6ExwVb3KDABn-dXvy8HoA=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PtRFQgXZmXpU0kiG60o8XgWwnuLE-R12UmwdYB6SGMjQorPysYf7pYz_4VTXyw1JWaqwsdUL6NVryoPD1BN6cZZzOUI7OM2qcy-rvyHKBX2d_zgGDQCM9LLsFQpGsGAXvZPL1mKmxT4=w1920-h1080)

A hybrid temperate Pinguicula preparing to flower.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cMSeD7I9GrubjV-V5h7E5yj_Ts3IZcvWYVvFN4ulpcQxI0rNp3zq61c8AFdN44_H3F4R1h7RKNzY9UH5Kkftchv1PLOTXg6kpIgWhimjLguraIVaJ01mmlj1F6CEqMqAC_JxMorzLGk=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on April 28, 2022, 02:42:02 PM
The return of the enchanted forest.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1DcV1GA99Adgis6EyBIihDzwuTDTxo1lNOfNiEDqUm8BOJkzEAmUcuI-n5GOuhupgSKescIZHMjuWikelNGyfMn57084lZtf2tVrl8wUsy8dikjxq5oRsHHLzKgtYVM0kp0HnC2U194=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7S0jwZV9VrOnNj-af4PeS6pR2403b_v1SbjIE__WdFRpJ3lQH4Eu4Zp4y8r31z8ecAWMXB5G5z7W7_Kt1UHChq4CD-b1cEOK66DrtqdqGlzElvJH0YxlFY_ltQdgPJe0Xgo_eC4IYaE=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on April 29, 2022, 06:45:57 PM
The sun reappeared today and persuaded Deilanthe peersii Deilanthe thudichumii to display.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2w5PgrQExxAmn_qF7tEQtPWa_gfKp5HulaMrhLcvt9QWgV9PFs_G_guMSfaW1-ftIPZIm-ZgCtCsMqN2mYm0dh0tok4P1Maq_WztTz8bvMtPzlqSv5OZ_KIf-UdsMQzF87uyGEZ4sQM=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/E7gn0o6AyPhbKw8pHDbV93Zu6kZCU5bl8Ue5KiB7cOrwLIyz8B1yfhS_drZ6kKCKdU-Xx34XwnVBJQP6yiifLc69lUsqLl8DUtD82SOzxMAmjfODExaBV-u99vXdlkv92mCIHjnBJvk=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 03, 2022, 10:37:24 AM
Now where is that sun when you need it? The Trichodiadema densum are waiting

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/f7ROkwghpHkBnAB2VV0lX6cHWwYhUtQ5d2aek4ZMe_2yb-y7dhunZCS7jCqrP6fxWqyNbRFqvPDTASTAq6s2XoLE-BWXCd0xebFPJ5948aGI0eU10FSgqqVOXHPgtvrhTEsQ-ruqcfk=w1920-h1080)

At least the Sarracenia are not bothered if it's cloudy.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ue7OK4urQ0FRPT-QvVveoLw1uwM7dMx2m033LmO2TxfRv1Osym4KBG2cZFdoiDVKZa-UZPfFG0racEgk9AC0WEqZK8xH_OKVToF9LTnA3Ts_R4MjA-S6NJbOK9g0wcltVAZ9qmgVXWU=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jLKW_T2_FvBXh8X071RD1wff-Ob9mqXMmiRKnvcqyQx1cOC0dhwuquLfpxbyjNplzVDwozPD4SuBETw6WQsfIbl05rVFOLONt0k6taNCnXXwVDLAADbmWZg7qbq-P8mMxi3Q7OtWSRc=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 06, 2022, 11:26:30 AM
Not the prettiest of plants but it is happy. Perhaps it's due to its antidepressant properties?

Sceletium tortuosum

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lu47qLU-88_N8edWYci24BG-R1KsdPJ0d1QwRAeslX8rjim-cU4HSlSvIXOHMZnYFeAa1cjSeEgzh5pSnmo4LToZZdm1mL6IHFzi6qx5f6Xz8PLuoUNaLXVUq7NCm-9MNY_Btmk0I9g=w1920-h1080)

Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 07, 2022, 02:47:33 PM
My other T&M hybrid Calanthe.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Tloqrl-eduIp02JxojT237GMYs89tHsw_ZAT-43KPJdXsj4yeOhU30qKjn-XdY9OZDZA_BdqUgtwXudw_9JVccE0Vt__OFEutdvnQu5xshv29d2IAhz_dUKsLTeaVW6DFMYuJkHPkdA=w1920-h1080)


Edit.

Apparently I didn't post the one before the above to be able to say the one above is the other so here's the one before the other to enable it to be the other otherwise it isn't.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yXowf7oV-jt2x5zjV5B8Eju30o_fY6EAX94hAGWdsDPAmcNlVImiUhgCtDfmSR2NUtphawjofZ95oXN_ghU_0utG1tNKqInNY-CXOvqDFoJmAt3OrwcChC8fD8IsznsyD_Q_961GLr0=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on May 07, 2022, 05:44:00 PM
Quote
Apparently I didn't post the one before the above to be able to say the one above is the other so here's the one before the other to enable it to be the other otherwise it isn't.
Beautifully expressed - I think !!!  :-* ::) ;D ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 07, 2022, 08:57:02 PM
I always like to keep things simple Maggi  :)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 08, 2022, 03:02:17 PM
The first of my many Trichodiadema densum to fully open its flower.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SPAPjKpFRtH1il7uy3cNUeGgMXaVbKqHcCFTwPI3knjL1vt-U6GulKser0CAxPUtvshVXDDP4ItSDFUOzg3krDDX7hk2iPGfNM5Y1FH-O22swz1a7kg7akqzbHMPJrskhNuEEhsoJzw=w1920-h1080)

For scale, I've shown the full diameter of the pot which is 5.5cm  ;D
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 09, 2022, 07:02:31 PM
A few random examples of the markings on new Lithops leaves.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6ddb-nwVdUVv4T_p_MI68yQy2x8MV0kKmQ9New0UDFgUChBUtXX06p3CaEp0xbxYuULFC8z9sp9JI4YRrYxmvnuiVxsws3vQVCgbEAbzz6NLWTjlcC9-hWfiqwFg88cWUV9-lblxgGA=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kaf73gVVSF9_sSisU-xpAtkvV18nhAtlPAoR9Kn_7RLfAHCfMSSrpOsPw1UIKEcNWS7kXkt968g9PnCGvFlDO8-NQQeB1rkx-pil73ECeb1L4iLormxihe9tc2pNW103if4m1g-qk3I=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/v7XP4_v_l6pDdvjVVsRWvNOVpkzC32hPJkMr09WvaW9awPjUP_1Iya59DbCI6c4S8eh3Z13atVk16ndsmAcDATHveK6e6BdVn2zQkTdjBzMIFXgrOerhutHl4dlixNG9MB5l2VDj_WA=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zg2M2_REN2zY5zmFkihu4Pqkz4A76bDlLJ3cBY1p01gl9SRfWDSV2rY8eCZaKEvfEmrRzi8K7S-On1dGkfGEEogie_a8G-KUi-s7wp8a6iwEjmlynMRugDFw6M_J6G1hgKIvBx5mEmk=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8IFSF9lE2ToFpcqbLNrkj4ybOPamN8PWOSc_4Qn2YaCr-E-7Xhfz4U8BjnVbShnYWo-T-XV55skb78wnyCi_Q_N2E4fP4mVSlLi9mRf6CvAYJVwY0RRysQ92Q_KJNVRHr8Jub_T3lL0=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sWWnv8giw1J8KNmAWA0NZJbloKu8Tp3iMrmZPMRAacZK2hwcOWQtPij8IEku_AsIYspGCBcgLUspYF6OxUG5nqoS4jyw30Mg5yNmoz643LYTf8i15pm-CH99_0o0aB--FPdd3K_V_BE=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/y3q0MNsGrp8p9sbMCvuQbs82zl4wrqpvkcrphYsdCDZUXCdTYmxTC29L_XrjfW4yLnqKjqUMdnKpyDccoUm3NHpjK734n3PCpy1m3gS0_8I1rUfl0O2VU3PknPFl2Fg9fZQSztFRAeo=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/nck7tTAgDFVx8uwyZKsChMNgLPTofJbeY1CcmatuVDYDqM1iRReQ9LS1Xcxt7SMaJIX76JHLlDifdcLnQRWczRj-geiui_ibWMxdHz7H9QQn7MmzMRLoUm3jB3EYItvsea8QZ1DINSg=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PCLN7NyTgTz6qP4mVEE-XDnGyjoIln2W3Otq0lddyo825QrOlhNCCQDYRV3nLNbi6UTW_wybCFhS_8NqTjs_htnz1T4iNT51c2zv5ri1zxRYh4eM3ZugdZdB11yn5oUa1W-ny2yZNJk=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hpLYJ7QHRHZ2knYKj2lsGkEWN4Ri_wt_BBirpH9xRMlEB5Bqmfci4mYR19yGSgpudJh5HmmXag8Zauj5wFZNDAFFuKHn0RaIJhn52aCcBx_QL_P4yETswj1BEXZHZYt-BSstb5MzOPw=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/E0PG1OS6_5MW4djifLyOfsttUvWXy7IZJuKLzazQNECaP8rFSSci5JTF1YQr18e5QYrJB7tCB7PecUfUcF-VQaFuQ2PPYxPq7nbOeA-OwXbijmboaieG6rwIlrcDOI9toHLZ5QPbgzk=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 11, 2022, 07:02:49 PM
Cypripedium parviflorum v. pubescens has returned for another season.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vsrctAJbPKu7iFI3EGYSSNDE0T62ynggeS4DTlFdW21Kqgyj6pOPwtOO5PUCOhARk5mXzlrNvHlLGniY36VVBaj1qzqmVKcs1McRS3yaFa0vYlrOlnlnWNa1TMTaX9iDpE-qoA563SM=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 12, 2022, 10:16:21 AM
A bit of a Darlingtonia flower colour variation and actually from California.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ksJlAigAJI2WYDF-KVW3jTZQOprNxp4x2o7Nvsh6QXGntThkyZl4UsOubKKgcinzBqi3s-dvoBzdQdrYs6BJL66vUY5x9ugrSgc_uRc2X4qnppmauY-BN5n5hyxAaBO9RCtdQf9R-OA=w1920-h1080)


Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 13, 2022, 08:33:49 PM
More Sarracenia flowers from this afternoon.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bKHiInekfk8tpyPx-39BRVbtz-q0LkWnyt8QCyLGlPxyact8tavM4Ikn9AVCZtAoqBpEGfD6wXFg4ZBVEaHsbo8hgBNYb4s3twz2SNXxIFM2kENt_eg2tzKqN8nEeWKvBGXjH7p1cbU=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JmS9hf--IijQFUmyk8G61NAs66UYdtwuGHXwGl8Lqf8Wt4GzMwkW57oExEMryO09sVKQ8B4gGqtXr2ozqKALmshkDLvR817wD8f8EVhfwtB4EPUcFC2RVMcx7LSsJWoLGczu59F0Iug=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DqHMCYetG6mwZlVp6YWErUtOtAuDtJceUX05JNST7Zlav0fRK12X23w-QSMZ_c3MsBvFCdI9o-B1dU9_meBjOxztwk2_4wteC96vTJls3EwjSzfsB0mgIWbTMYdH5uOIl3fCHrpt4MA=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 16, 2022, 04:35:31 PM
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yJF0NK9WIj_d0S43PZVndCWv2B7n--UXTVGNqfzivBbmobz0t8swCwQGxRN9SU9H-MN6pW2JgbefBNmbr1i12uJJb3RpRVshg0wOGxB7Yc8zkTmK1MJPiQATWjVdujSoFHbsHmYREww=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZxAOguIhDq8ma94x3JekCbO7MEyvayraJ6PGCCNKz0fih0SRA9z8uqNU5DUPvQ5gD7DdD5p46COf9dID9rCj3ytsSdu54b2hyex9iGlYWg_tdufEvVbTBBEZ_zTVR-nFb_JrddTMcFQ=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/l0W0LlOzWyLyZ5vvhutzAjL9rdnACPy94jBO5MBl7aJtAc_QZm3xs8butDXLDdoIfTyxg9OkiAIXAIvF-7PZUtwvDSwCuYFj8absg6hsuGKTwl_YI3fFhDLEVoOyFkRXoBA8ahrHH0U=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 19, 2022, 07:12:22 AM
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gPsyov_nl9e8xV3n1zDKtoLRnntAeyzUwOFoqYLwFsYYaG6Jn7KgsR7wVaF9Wp9LTDzmvaXUZpqrR8xBPiKsa0TkyOCryKs26Hn93lR734pf_vyJz0VWjvFyW_wYXE0Tom8CEBI50rA=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/URRgqkh-2nyFlZLtLInDjsy_mUmvQcpoXkG_E-xWhH_BW7SxhNuGCUxOjnlj58Ci4ECR_Ho1bDDSKyMVCtBnkmEEZzi8NGB44uORCIWWK3u56Z3kBCHW3iULoBPnpVZzTu5f-pHn6x8=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WhQNjYXcAURdlsGdaq33y0EeitUB0vvypLxjo8bXWfPjjOmayMAwNQSeAl12QEYyelXWr9fjmVHkvpguOgMKu3VSz6XB_RxfHS_y5p8iydAsd1vs8g6lgeHze2k7QFaVHsidJMAAHDQ=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0FUP4gPQWRIx6p2Nbhq0QShpzr2nVsYCb22rhD3mFo82sad1rxY1RhQqeKWqK2ubSZPrDvIRoQdVEFJHzH-36amHuAulWHstdNHml6IxYmIjOMHa53IXFbPZjLOENjQgeRGG6rajXng=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 21, 2022, 12:00:59 PM
Still one or two yellow Sarracenia flowers left.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GZ3odEs23XuIHrwjIPf9XE5CttEb-4AOTVY6eqJOM8y-h5tUojdEpxi66Ca75bbGHDsoKVz1p8vSYc5n3SFXDfGoaCardAMXeQDFLAzHPZN5f5wGA-a55Yhk2SDoizBcR53MhRkKTrk=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 23, 2022, 09:06:04 PM
Posting photos of one's meal seems to be a fad these days so here's a proxy one I took for my plants.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/852lmAuvfpoqCAhegAgFmnfmp0luP772ubEkbavVHixJbYOyuMsktxTvtec1ipRDJ51iyw-rWWeS5ef5PFAAekZm_pVTOk5G5saWfg7_DYLdeXscbjcw4BPC4Wpv11hA1kmv7d2I_Ok=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: ashley on May 23, 2022, 09:29:39 PM
Yum.  A stench and bluebottles in the greenhouse today had me wondering about a dead animal somewhere ... until I remembered Arum dioscoridis ;D 
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on May 25, 2022, 03:33:04 PM
This Lithops has decided this year that three leaves are better than two. Normally for me, seedlings start with three and later change to the norm of two as they mature.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/AXEuIkWXauZCHBuqsToerLt3vKI5CFnlhqJ2TIg8cDBm1kcuZ1TutXYo_0dBQjoIGqtgqH3riZvVwxbPnXkdvxOoMYDtGOAeoXg-sTyjY-Eo5V8co-wnbpJF9DGS5viaUdTRRGiMmiA=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 02, 2022, 08:31:33 PM
I'm sure it's in here.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OwxlwPLpKWJ7gg8uOxKxP7sr_Oe-iaRyNDNTWxP8p-4VZQ9ocgnyiwwFSpe4lL08tQQmkbl7Xe-XPmMSojVusA0jhj3gJa0M7kzpUQwhUJlhC7HrPyHJW1Vwn-pVHnGANo3pCkYcUho=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 03, 2022, 06:28:47 PM
Spotted three of these flowers at the back of the taller pitchered plants.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/89SryzHWYj9wpM_YnYZoamF7rEHxJX3jOThfosdLqx3gnmb7MwDTsNWS2RTzrqylILnWq9SFK0EQ2TxP1vf__YVoMfkjU6ij50QjfHqXLOjVV5erGyJFK7bUUEcBf4GQZjOSGptct7w=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RU6sw9UJmZbGEbPj6iQYgS9fbF13sVNzTHPS1zHfI8FvujwqA9D1pTf3SP_52cgLbjW-VuXb213wTSZ1K8O2PH9dEs1XRRuKCqP-QqgUa9S9MgXxWojZt6SSbggjqBElvVU3R1YB2As=w1920-h1080)

And yes, that pitcher is from the same plant as the flowers.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 06, 2022, 02:36:14 PM
The welding visors are on standby. The Disa have started to flower.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zKOHYJaXYb2I2qAoRcgYOWd8ef4LBDQy4Bt3YBvsxSxkwjof_pfcwGY-QvIy18BLCvnDexKuGuUATZmTLi0H_jwSVPByVq0znIOsgFU6W6XRbetytUcHr0Ii9HhEJctnCg7_XYXINCc=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 09, 2022, 02:42:47 PM
A few bits of colour.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gSRkEx_8tpX3LVbidGgW8HQq_tSeIatvvlzYsNcfm5KUhNZWZL69qw08VrEPOo1kaGvYLMNl6eB_mD4Bl12Ovbc4ykqSmnIYPmXWSReXxJ_CBxiBbga3Xt5H0PHl6aslQMQxp4_W-sI=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CvXa5rloXSja-Mr6iuKDxCyNq8aJ6kMWRC-9ROk3NSRZdhAxCxqAzX5PE4NuRA3RhC1LGGbBqU88OmnybXI_OSVJ9bpA44qJkgAwqDbSUGShkUq06me37Mru41kie62tuGRGRzoI6nk=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xfrWKacSqzcyaNeP82IxS0xNIOMZ7ErnHYP4EbuB_Fjo3GSOONUsFv6wnaPg79Pm3Mcq3F21mM5lGaB8I2Ykfte_sEY2AFk4v68CtsvD8G0gAza84jk872wZFq4W5_T5UV5w1mjG23o=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bJ1gbZ5EbxBbV-t-4aeTooF80pKkuSWttETI7AKoW4sB5UqcZOFrHb5x2czXXY0pyFioW85Ri_krfI7UO0d9IXB47qvPJmT9lp7-iVktA1VygNiEBD7ixR7JbDSWNGEnHCDRicw_Vo0=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/s5iq6LW2bf5fGe21m7vttgThsYjYxoNARvJvkPbWT4jLnCzF126aNJO-AqrPY5o8LgIl0sxojOcQ2sED6AUmhO2uhCgZu_oVyPbc3BFhhHFELI2e3QSA8kIgPf3RE3B5JFjfOQWrNTc=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 10, 2022, 10:42:13 AM
Some random photos from the Sarracenia lagoons.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QUcsP_mEU4koeP-8TY5I9eLGLu7k_zQcqwbY4y6h54TjbS0iLT7VoElKN6IH-evWKy3pTn2PMpRdZqiTINv45neEx3DPO4ltnQ4mOE0eqqmzRwyqNEhDY0JJgeRRo0jZx2El_GOFS20=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/m8FRgvbLKPSdcqjN2tlnL-tkwpJZMvNv-GR9lVJbsCFfCItjZhoKMarhFwskGJTrMJ-XGd56dCRg8MXLggvF9sQfMeozuJEa10dT0Ix067CKphkCRtwzjXZDKLZhP3wqqHyBosdXoDo=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BpBzs7lqh5vWtFIjduo-SJifbiAUWuakLa29OfnkI0NcX57f1zZf9WP24MWUHocKA73HeZdapzEF5CVjxhU_hGDBEfgSLYgdsgvwin-ndT35XUM5NtYSHhd7CyZDxsUlbd7iOQGIcl4=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mDuaxir4UE0QL9GmbhzC5O9EEWZFOrRofjSZ4rhdhIPRk_gkg8xNnMVeuRGHL64MwS7XXrsb8JSCz7XsJKPjrGjyftWKq0SV4bEyvm2fe9seJZBlV69BLxHG204u4sWDJlDucxO-Qug=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Bxh9xfAVBTAjLj3Qi5jvPyc72Uohbn6bQUH4DdoxqgNW1NPDr7VrfkJCafgFZ60LoHlB8U3kZMaY5mI3TCQHCe53FuIMGvwN4zZ8rXjtMCyDxywSR5ySMD69D8oZu8SM2KsXamUzhSU=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/G18r9OaaBLCfWKnxv6lZWtAAJspQCe0RlhN7y5xSFc2HWTC7LcUpHLbhjnuuREQYTZkVhq_2l2-gtlNna6yg6th6XOg-VNNGln_eqxbBgQ0FJwaP_R01RqwqJ8ShABExpHLdkN-dwTI=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0IdP6mOC1tK63RuHUKsUlaQCb3_iCdg7EAQiNW_YCyN9-csUwBSjaW78hrj_mFaW3UBHJhX0SKmOE2DSJyvOwW5j3Vm7x1eojYUnWw6CdnceaglDWd5jAnCR3WTg0XuwviV7xRHVMi0=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dS7QkQSFmXeJ8JQw4MAdCAwaKsdbm4PSZPawUyg-sSeW9s_fo02MNQ5d2L3f1GXJIgFE9HKJhEspbyHhHXstRtMd2PujjFSHnhIs9L6v4H7hrce41LKMGgSdBVAaSOlSiD6FEsC3Zfc=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/j59-66sK2k_zsFW-UaLTwTwGcsKV1KnZCnEpDfMNa2RCBDUMt1x7ikwNMgEYNJIzw3frhqY7RVzbQCz7GLOTNr2owMaDMwFyOPxeQQuZlGbQ6Dh2sBWiQo16frkGpTxobesGMYwE-QA=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/t2z9FIA4SS8-zN-oRsVaJF68NoCSc-wwGrJuSKOQPvrHV-a6EUThtEVpF4oI-r-VbNJ5GTz6FXbbGIs65vwSvOpEdoa042i1D16qHJ-ZHUvEzsiaNOyPKiJ1wsmhTsZIVursPZliwsI=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TRN2vQjUpQospfBXthpnzMBi9q1heBVcYRSkg7-x65czihgZGSIK8ufIAOy7GJIRdrB1WYr8Faej_aIdU7tHaF9473L6OQh7GcBtMuBD6XmGKNnaQbTP8Ij6IIPbf9vTJxZ833an3s4=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DZ43EgEPAIaZGBe_aFKrtp8c1XGfvrPx7XVi94ng1ZswCgdjHY48iTSqPtx0hDVzFswHOCanaafpyao56Q8mWVnfYf9vTu7LfPaNIBlHSsf0tKWYfgKjACYVgdp10-dNfRKapE77jb4=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on June 10, 2022, 11:54:45 AM
Some random photos from the Sarracenia lagoons.
Fabulous! Not hard to see where the sci-fi movie makers get their ideas from, is it? !!
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 12, 2022, 06:47:57 PM
In the Disa world Alice and the twins are doing fine.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GuuAncYAaX-_mbnLrcUocy5ImdSVFY7_EDz4Re4xxQQibCEh7YlId6nRCg1wL4TyO2pOmzqSOXUyRX0J7w8EboEsoBlfOTDGO8tRMg1WjkeLS-ra8H925WJJHCJookZa1Fm0i70MaJY=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ha6ZU6sVbxXG3tY6QP1OpIBmFXgllFb9Ki9v4skuRCcDQ3Q7jr2uPX0ewIOfpP_lbk0eqgdctmWT3HkX9K6Qm0pVYRTAzD0s3K5S9ijt1b6TICuqRXzduu7LIpqFdHy6YFSIEldz5A=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: Maggi Young on June 13, 2022, 11:23:53 AM
My word, these bright Disa colours do me good - very cheering!
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 16, 2022, 08:19:33 PM
A flutter of Stylidium caespitosum.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XGMSzKbCSX1HEHNpDOMV_a4rOUNKBgvVrMjaMCWKHcFlnJXwOzr280R5MOt3tAFxDiZEUsGVGQg64lDiKHYrSqWz3NKSEyFTBPAzu1wxd-ko3wEsWLty4_gZeK2ZqAEQgjwq-kbmep8=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: brianw on June 16, 2022, 10:48:35 PM
I have grown a number of carnivorous over the last 30 years or so. Darlingtonia, Sarracenia, Heliamphora, Pinguicula, Drosera etc. always using rain-water. Originally all frost free, but pushing some a bit more recently. At the Chelsea FS, i.e. May, plants of course always look their best with large healthy trumpets, often with flowers but not always. In my frost free greenhouse the Sarracenia flower well in the spring but trumpets tend to get a bit tatty late in the year and don't really regrow for me until after spring flowering, so are at their best in a month or so's time, well after flowering. Are the Chelsea "spring" displays not natural as regards timing, even under glass? (not unusual of course) Darlingtonia I have had mixed success outside and had to rescue it after 3 years before I lost it. It was rampant inside years ago. Sarracenia flava loses all its top growth outside, and is just getting going again, Sarracenia leucophylla I have only grown frost free.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 17, 2022, 11:33:17 AM
I tried growing outdoors many years ago and decided very quickly that in the UK the season is too short. The plants also tend to get somewhat raggy. We just don't have the same climate as the Southern States and our sunlight is about the same as southern Alaska.
Frost free is unnecessary for many including Sarracenia and Darlingtonia. All my greenhouses are unheated. Of late I've been getting winter lows of -2 to-3°C which if fine for everything, including Disa even my Mesembs are happy. The only worrying time I had was during the long cold winters 2009-11 (O°F or -18°C the lowest I recorded). Even then I lost very few.

As for Chelsea, the plants will be further forward when they're grown in large glasshouses anyway. Being commercial premises they're also sited for maximum light and growth, unlike we plebs who have to stick the plants in the best available spot of the garden that comes with the house.

BTW I remove glass panels from the doors in spring and replace them with wire mesh panels. This gives good airflow and allows insects to enter, a bonus being they keep the Blackbirds away from any Sphagnum Moss.  Roof vents are open all year round.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 24, 2022, 10:35:02 AM
To go with the current drought here, a few seedling Lithops.

Some of the plants from a single pot I bought very cheaply online earlier this year. There's some promising ones here.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hXB3yPA3x8xNqpqXZMcgbeIzumbjy7-v-StUlnJF7s_lsE6s8XdsA9pYq3RC8MXyc7OFy4kx81apP80WY9vFCubLR88liS0nAunPuklS-M_BRd_wnJ60x1ISCNio4IO9_lqvdm9F6Tc=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/eWgh-dO5_f6xYd8uo42HQy-iHv-xVa3PkFAOqt6DXamR7Z3DR01Hzl49Crk-yf7y-sjS38p2wNwc2zJAExgLhZIqP5SVXzt5R7uRn0jHqq390O6IDL-mBhKgLyXCq0xdM5HLC6gRyFA=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/33fWVnqV3mkvdfC6y4r3NlSd7E4732rdEiulntoNTnzMDDdvXeUW7QVBpRp5yEwSvu_7sUyBlKjmeEqmqK_bfsqfKoPDk1W1dSfCuyh4IgUkKLIbOw47kTCvcwO74Bzy1MagSzpdmpU=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QB68k3yH8V-ns_ppqSB3Gy8BRMK13eB8jx-W25HX1NRmsiZ18_-Lj4QuzU0OKrapC0lRN94w89yESd-uVAang_gVh6iwI-DP-NrZkdC2CLY6BXqQbwdbIjYIw77sFFOKhyAjpKhXmms=w1920-h1080)

A tray of  L. dorotheae, these are from seed I sowed a couple of years ago late in the season. Covid messed up the international mail.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ceYVOKWi40rJgUJEhe7C_fG1iae6zs45ZOQ3mVEPSOJP2Hylakfbq4R2V4VTj7ZVuTuKy6S2aPeACLIDwTUkh1pVKvd6j2FStdDjbmhovSIdI71uTlcDQLdidXppSb7mgRZ5Jb3ncMU=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LIokhHawiT7mzUI8IZIK34--aIPdMc5v7i7bNnK7ZAm5DsZFnjRN0FeBnQySihI36HEL8yoyylK5P9G8or69PsB2N_yFoDkEP0qo9-5eh-yGr8YesrJdzK5cJzWxfvVt-7lFBIHa4WI=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on June 30, 2022, 11:24:36 AM
My latest visitor. This one only cost me two seedling Lithops and two Delosperma cuttings.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LYAPfCWuK5bn23AVS-4BslgqUSlxXuEkXBnXg1wvg_BloQsYIEO3dM5MR--91MDcnU8hSwFHq4loDga8Y-w_P-HK_sdHyEek_E5yaq7FBSm_BFCf_IyBCoqx5G6_1ao3DUI4qL2bQ2g=w1920-h1080)

Three humane traps set with bread and Aldi Peanut Butter.
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on July 24, 2022, 03:15:21 PM
My Euphorbia flanaganii (?) is in flower again. The essence of cow byre it exudes is something a little different but not entirely off putting. Just as well it's in a greenhouse and not on the windowsill though.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JZ2I8F-Nt9aiZWJd4Xw9pPf6YmeJfI22otf7oj4uL_nzP6ak43eKc9ZxkmSZ8SAYVCbyFEdE_doHb_lgBk-a_kBkpDBbeuih-goAkNB5UIEWgWwY4KowKum3miwbWNmGZMefZ40Fk2k=w1920-h1080)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OegVzCjClE6nH1X0Fn-CIgTqciGsukpmOn1BSVowqRjnqJqj6ZtdavdOqvCgqpKkukyHodCYuyn79bzSqqssMM5y0JYT4Vi1CJO2ADbyHn7_Vh0gV1lVo2zV8GkgsN_dSD_8F6HbyYQ=w1920-h1080)
Title: Re: Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities
Post by: fredg on August 20, 2022, 07:26:49 PM
My first Conophytum flower of the year.

Conophytum albiflorum

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MG7i0QusDlo9tJ4g-yvtYTnS1wG5XC97YnBE7gHOfSScM3J9TRytZzmlbbPtVBGDAOMU3VIjrJw6tlnZkTzVLDIRnix2QlDYDiL6kP9Z_XLZiW2bFshkmvLaivT1BeuG2GRODPLkQUU=w1920-h1080)

It's not half dead that's just the old dried skins of last year's leaves that have not been removed.

For scale, that's a 6cm pot. It's not huge  :o

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zj2ncr3oP1sa_QnXjd7LTCm4e38xZFNWe7gzWa03LGHYN32u5M8D0QEBxmJ2kFi9kTJua-eYhCKu4gTIacoaOOVco8mlA24gOFf6laeEAXpeHMI3CKEm602ml5W9fgiepPZTM4St_Vk=w1920-h1080)

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