Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities

[fredg]

First up today is Dionaea 'Fused Tooth' starting to do what it says on the label.



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



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



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.





I'll repost the latter in the new fern section.

[fredg]

Drosera 'Helen' again but this time with a friend.

[fredg]

More insects, a couple of butterflies from this morning's perambulation.

Vanessa atalanta - the Red Admiral





Maniola jurtina - the Meadow Brown

[fredg]

A few Pinguicula photographs.

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




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




Pinguicula ehlersae. Very tidy attractive summer rosettes.




Pinguicula 'Linz'. Attractive dark flowers.

   

[fredg]

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.




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!

[Maggi Young]

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

[fredg]

[fredg]

Three videos of this year's Orchidfest. The videos are silent so if required play your own music 

[fermi de Sousa]

A lovely photo essay, Fred!
Things we'll never see over here so a delight to witness on screen,
cheers
fermi

[fredg]

Dactylorhiza purpurella, the Northern Marsh Orchid in habitat.

The location.







A few plants.

[fredg]

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



Also a liquorice scented Nananthus vitattus



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





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 

[fredg]

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.



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



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.

[Maggi Young]

Hmm, not just the  plants that are  carniverous in your greenhouse, then, Fred!!?!!

[fredg]

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

[fredg]

Another Greenbottle bites the dust. The Araneus are dining well at the moment