Plantiis

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While repotting the red Ampullaria, I noticed a tiny white pitcher protruding from underneath the moss.

I carefully dug out the the rest of the stem to reveal a nice batch of albino pitchers! The most easiest way to inhibit node growth is to bury the stem in a couple of inches of moss. Not the fastest but it has worked on a couple of my nepenthes. Unfortunately these pitchers will soon turn to shades of red with the exposure of sun. Interesting way to uncover albino pitchers!

Carnivorous Plants can grow in different mixtures of live or dead sphagnum moss, peat moss, pumice, sand, vermiculite or perlite. Nepenthes seem to favor a mix of long-fiber sphagnum moss, perlite and orchid bark.

Drosera like peat moss and perlite. Pinguiculas have grown great in sand, vermiculite, perlite, peat and pumice. Cobra plants and Sun Pitchers do well in long-fiber sphagnum moss and perlite. I have both Flytraps and Sarracenias growing in a mix of sphagnum moss and perlite.

Todays will be repotting a Nepenthes Khasiana into a bigger pot. I use a 50/50 Mix of sphagnum moss and perlite, with a topping of orchid bark to keep in moisture. Make sure pots have a way to drain excess water.

Tiny one inch green “Sun Pitcher”. Infamous for being difficult to grow, this species of carnivorous plants are slow growers. The characteristic nectar spoons have not yet formed. Growing one to full maturity takes about eight years. These plants require moderately cool temperatures at night with constant humidity.

I grow mine indoors, under a regular light bulb with plastic covers to keep in humidity. Purchased from Cooks at the beginning of the year. Only recommended for those who aren’t scared of “getting blood on their hands”.

The start of a new lettuce season is under way in sunny Florida. After taste testing each variety from last season, we have planted what we found to have the best taste. Pictured below is the Ruby Red, which offers a sweet taste and textured leafs. Excellent in salads.

Below is the Four Season variety. Delicious large leafs are great for adding to hamburgers and sandwiches. When fully grown, leafs have a reddish, purple spots and are slightly textured.

Harvesting takes around 45 days. Purchased from Burpee, seed grown lettuce is a great way to start an eatable garden.

Eight month old seedlings, about an inch across. These might actually be a mix of something else, but wont be able to know until they mature and show more characteristics.

Mother plants were purchased from Cook’s Carnivorous Plants. Great ant catchers and very hardly to hot and cold temperatures. Makes a great centerpiece when arranging a small planter.