THIS GARDEN EARTH: Carnivorous Plants

This describes how some plants prey on insects and even small reptiles, amphibians and mammals. It includes the Venus Fly Trap, Sarracenia, Sundew, Butterwort and Bladderwort. Watch them in action! For more go to: http://widgeripoo.net

Category:

Education

Tags:

• nature
• botany
• Pete Perry
• carnivorous
• plants
• MOTF
• venus
• fly
• trap
• sundew
• pitcher
• plant

[Widgeripoo]

Santa Claus or Santa Fe? Not quite the season for Santa CLAUS...

[garrenn]

I'm impressed with how quickly the venus fly trap digested the fly. I heard it takes typically 2 to 5 days for it to completely digest it. Did it have something to do with the size of the fly or something?

[Widgeripoo]

@garrenn Yes, - in this case size DOES matter! LOL. A frog will take considerably longer.

[garrenn]

@Widgeripoo lol I figured as much. I'm expecting a venus fly trap of my own soon. They having shipped it yet though.

[Widgeripoo]

@garrenn Remember to water it only with rain water - tap water could kill it. Have fun!

[Widgeripoo]

I don't know of any specific books on carnivorous plants, although a search through your local library should be useful. Basically, carnivorous plants live in poor quality soil, which is why they need extra nutrients from insects etc. I grow mine in a dish filled with John Innes No1 compoat, and water them only with rainwater. Keep them quite boggy (they live in marshland) with access to plenty of light, but not direct sunlight. Hope this is useful?

[Widgeripoo]

@Widgeripoo Thanks for that fact Rockburns - imagine that - stoned bugs! :)

[platinum243125]

Hey its Santa!

[garrenn]

@Widgeripoo Yes I know. I've actually researched these plants for about a year and a half before deciding to finally get one. It should come in today or tomorrow! I just hope they packaged it right and it's not too stressed out when it gets here.

[Rockburns123]

FUN FACT! pitcher plants have a toxin in their nectar that drug up the bugs thus helping them fall into the bottom. :D